2026 Blueberry Harvest School

This summer, Blueberry Harvest School (BHS) brought students ages 3-15,  together for 3 weeks of learning, hands-on activities, field trips, and time spent in community. The annual program run by our Migrant Education Program, serves qualifying children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and combines academic enrichment with experiential education to build relationships, and learn through adventures outside the classroom.

Trip to lakes, rivers, and beaches around Downeast Maine were a highlight for many students!

This year’s BHS theme, Celebrations, chosen by the parent advisory committee provided a framework for students to explore the traditions, customs, and experiences that bring families and communities together. Students learned about different holidays and cultural traditions while also honoring the celebrations that are meaningful to their own families.

Students focused on the questions like: What do holiday celebrations look like, feel like, sound like, smell like, taste like? What are the feelings and meanings that are associated with holidays and celebrations? How do we invite and include people to celebrate our cultures with us? What can we learn about different groups of people through learning about their celebrations? 

The theme was incorporated into activities throughout the summer through art, music, storytelling, food, crafts, and opportunities for students to share their own experiences.

Highlights from this summer include: field trips to local swimming spots, a visit to a local lobster wharf where they learned more about an important part of Maine's coastal economy, and a talent show organized by the 9-11 year olds that gave students the chance to perform for their classmates and show off their individual interests and skills.

The summer ended with a family night, bringing students, families, and staff together to share food and see the work students had completed throughout the program. Students had the opportunity to share projects and activities they had worked on during the summer, giving families a look at what their children had been learning and creating.

BHS is about more than three weeks of summer learning. It is a place where students can build friendships, celebrate their cultures, and feel a sense of belonging in a community that knows and values them. This summer, through art, exploration, storytelling, food, laughter, and shared experiences, students created memories that will stay with them long after the school year begins. BHS reminds us that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we come together, and that every child deserves a place where they can learn, grow, and be celebrated.

Do you want to help support our work to help families thrive in Maine? Please consider giving today!

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• State Non-Discrimination Statement

  State Non-Discrimination Statement
  The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin.Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at: https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions

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