This leader's guide explains an outdoor environmental education program for youth, based on a child's natural learning progression: sensitivity and awareness, understanding and appreciation, and commitment and action. Chapter 1 discusses how to teach in the outdoors, including field trip planning and preparation, discipline tips, and suggestions for teaching methods. Chapter 2 sets the foundation by presenting brief explanations of the ecology of ecosystems, including background information on soil, air, water, producers, consumers, and decomposers. Chapter 3 explains five basic laws of ecology: everything is connected to everything else, everything has to go somewhere, everything is always changing, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and everything has limits. Five appendices present over 150 relevant publications; where to get equipment and materials; contact information for Maine's natural resource and environmental education organizations; a glossary; and 12 soil, air, and water activities. As additional support materials, activity cards describe 41 fun, hands-on activities that will help youth learn about the environment in outdoor settings. (TD)