Why BOPN?
EXPERTISE
BOPN was founded by a diverse team of Master's-level female educators who wanted to create an authentic, play-based experience for our youngest learners.
BOPN co-founders bring experience in public school, private school, Montessori education, early childhood development, and nature immersive education.
BOPN is managed by a team of administrators who are also BOPN co-Founders, BOPN teachers, and/or parents of BOPN children.
INNOVATIVE
Co-Founders Sarah Besse & Shela Sinelien were recently recognized with the Boston University Young Alumni Award for their work creating innovative early education opportunities.
BOPN offers year-round nature immersive programming. For us, there is no such thing as bad weather!
Benefits
BOPN is a play-based program. Play-based learning is critical to a child's early development. Learn more here.
A growing body of research has found myriad positive impacts from frequent play in natural settings. These cover the entire range of holistic child development: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, creative and spiritual.
inclusive
BOPN is a small 501c3 nonprofit organization that was founded in 2019.
We partner with nonprofit host sites (such as MassHort at Elm Bank and the Arnold Arboretum) to further hands-on outdoor education and nature preservation.
BOPN is committed to expanding access to quality outdoor education. We partner with a Boston Public School to offer programs like BOPN Forest Days.
We give over 10% of annual tuition revenue in the form of scholarships to families who would not otherwise be able to access nature programming.