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Give to BOPN
Donations Directly Benefit Scholarships & Equity Programs for Families in Need
As a nonprofit, one of our central goals is to ensure that all local families, regardless of income or life circumstances, are able to access BOPN programming.
100% of the proceeds from donations will be used to support student scholarships, financial aid, & equity programs including public school partnerships & universal pre-k programs.
"Investing in BOPN with a donation is an investment for the future.”
~Ari Taylor, BOPN Parent
We know that the benefits of nature-based education for young children are exponential -- better immune systems, decreased behavioral issues, higher self-esteem and self-confidence, and fostering stewardships, to name a few. But access to high quality outdoor early education is limited for families whose children could most benefit.
Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is committed to being part of the movement to change this. One way we do this is through the provision of scholarships to families from all backgrounds and all walks of life, with a focus on expanding access for children of color and children living in urban school districts. Another way we help create a world where nature education is accessible to all is through our public school partnerships and equity programs, where we are striving to open free nature-based schools to children in need.
Your partnership will allow us to continue to enroll children whose families are experiencing financial barriers to outdoor early education.
Join us in expanding the network of families invested in outdoor early education. Join us in raising up a generation of confident, capable children who are deeply appreciative of nature and its benefits.
Benefits of Forest Days
The benefits of play in nature are undeniable: children’s immune systems improve, social-emotional skills are honed, self-confidence and self-esteem develop, and creative and critical thinking skills sharpen. There are academic benefits as well, including better hand-eye coordination and core strength, which are essential for children to later sit at desks and write. BOPN Forest Days incorporates place-based literacy as children explore maps, signs, and field guides, and math skills are developed naturally as we count and sort pinecones, measure sticks, and find shapes in nature. Forest Days ensure that children in urban areas have these invaluable experiences in natural environments within their own neighborhoods. For a window into BOPN Forest Days at Charles Sumner Elementary School, see this presentation, by BOPN Public School Partnerships Coordinator Vanessa Niro.
"A scholarship from BOPN made it possible for us to give our son the childhood education we wanted for him."
“BOPN has been a life changing experience for our toddler. He is more confident, curious, and comfortable outdoors than ever before. When overwhelmed he seeks out nature as a source of peace. We are thrilled that he’s been able to play with peers, engage with loving teachers, and explore his world, all against the beautiful backdrop of the Elm Bank Gardens. Every time my app alerts, I excitedly see pictures of him jumping in puddles, reading under a tree, and rolling down hills. I’m confident he’s happy and thriving.
BOPN gives me peace of mind that I'm providing the best educational experience possible for my son."
~Jessica MacManus, BOPN Parent
Did you know that only 3% of outdoor preschoolers are Black or African American and only 7% are Hispanic or Latino, according to Natural Start Alliance’s 2017 survey? Furthermore, the pedagogy of poverty points out that urban school districts often have far fewer opportunities to provide play-based, hands-on learning experiences.
Boston Outdoor Preschool Network envisions a world where nature education is accessible to all.
Our Forest Days Program bring the benefits of outdoor education to public schools, ensuring that young children in urban neighborhoods have access to nature and play.
Your gift provides authentic learning and a joyful childhood to city children.
$21,863
In October 2022, 37 families saw tuition reductions from either scholarships or financial aid totaling $21,863.95.
10%
10% of BOPN's annual budget is reserved for scholarships & tuition discounts.
In 2021-2022, BOPN self-funded over $80,000 in scholarships at our JP/Roslindale site alone.
$80,000
"We are truly grateful for the opportunity to send Phoebe to BOPN and have already seen her grow in so many ways."
“The cost to raise three kids in this economy, coming out of the struggles of the pandemic and dealing with chronic illness make programs like these seem unattainable for too many families. Having the option and ability for financial aide makes this program available for all kids.
Investing in BOPN with a donation to ensure this program is available to as many families as possible is an investment for the future.”
~Ari Taylor, BOPN Parent
Our Equity Initiatives
Give Today
Did you know that children from low-income families with access to excellent preschools are more likely than their peers to graduate from college?
You can make a difference by helping BOPN to narrow the achievement gap and offer children who need it most the opportunity to create, explore, and discover.