Julie Curchelle

For the past 12 years Julie has been connecting, inspiring, and mentoring children and adults of all ages on the seacoast of Maine, in many capacities. I am now expanding my work work.

I am the founder of Ways of the Woods, where I support early childhood programs in exploring and expanding into nature-based, outdoor learning.

After years of working directly with young children in outdoor settings, and starting my own outdoor preschool, I have stepped into a consulting and mentoring role. I now work alongside educators and program leaders, offering guidance that is grounded in lived experience and responsive to the unique needs of each program.

My experience is rooted in raising five spirited children, followed by a decade working in a nature-based outdoor program on the seacoast, and creating a rich outdoor program for Acton Academy Kennebunkport.

I was also part of a small group of women who co-created Rooted and Play, a training designed to support early childhood educators in understanding the importance of play—particularly in connection with the natural world.

From this work, I initiated the development of an Outdoor Nature-Based Mentorship Program designed to support early childhood administrators and lead educators in strengthening outdoor, nature-based practices through personalized, relationship-based mentoring. This offering was added alongside Rooted and Play through the Maine Early Childhood Outdoor Organization, and is currently in its pilot year.

Alongside my background, I integrate somatic awareness into my work. This supports educators and teams in slowing down, noticing, and responding more thoughtfully to children, to each other, and to the environments they are part of.

My approach is collaborative, practical, and rooted in real-world experience, with a focus on creating changes that feel sustainable and aligned.

A Maine native, Julie has a deep connection with nature that stems from her younger years when her parents immersed her in nature on a daily basis.  Over time, Julie grew into an adventurous, intuitive, creative, and curious naturalist.  

A mother of 5, Julie has shared her love of nature with her children who often follow her up the mountains of the White Mountains, into the deep woods of Maine, or to the gardens on their own land. 

Julie's innate sense of being among nature is a spiritual journey and her mothering wisdom and experience of 27 years comes through in her work. Her strong background in nature play, her creative approach to nature based activities, an infectious curiosity, along with being well versed in risk assessment and wilderness first aid training, makes her an incredible guide for all ages exploring our natural world.