Your gift will last a lifetime.

The mission of Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is to provide programs that meet the developmental needs of the whole child, while initiating them into a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 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. Yet research has also shown that many children, especially those in urban areas, don't get enough time to play in nature. Since BOPN launched in September 2019, we have awarded hundreds of families partial and full scholarships for our school year and summer programs.

At BOPN, we are committed to expanding access to the benefits of outdoor early education and play-based learning for all children, maximizing time spent together outdoors. In just five years, we have expanded from one small preschool class in Boston to multiple half and full day programs for children ages 15 months through six. Our newest equity initiatives include offering "Forest Fridays" for Boston Public Schools K1 students.

Your donations fund scholarships for BOPN children whose families could not otherwise afford the cost of nature-based preschool. Please partner with us in expanding access to outdoor early education!

Our Story

Co-Founders Sarah Besse and Shela Sinelien met in 2016 while in graduate school for Early Childhood Education at Wheelock College. As educators in the public schools, they noticed that their preschool children felt most alive when engaging with the natural world and their local community. They began to dream about expanding opportunities for nature-based education.

Around the same time, Co-Founder Sara Murray began taking her students outside to learn and play. As a first grade teacher at an independent school, she started the Forest Explorers after-school club; during summers, she taught at nature-based camps. Threse passionate women united to open the first BOPN class at the Arnold Arboretum in September 2019. BOPN arose out of their mutual desire to provide a joyfully muddy childhood fostering curiosity, movement, art, science, and connection with nature and each other.

After a joyful first year outdoors at the Arnold Arboretum (JP/Roslindale), they opened a new program at Elm Bank Reservation (Wellesley/Dover) in September 2020, Pine Banks Park (Malden/Melrose) in October 2022, and Forbes House Museum (Milton) in September 2023. The summer and fall of 2024 brought new sites in Milton, Natick, Sudbury and Sherborn.

BOPN combines early childhood and environmental education. Our approach to education is inspired by multiple sources, including Lens on Outdoor Learning and the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs. Both of these sets of standards emphasize child-directed learning, authentic experiences, making connections to previous experience, and culturally appropriate practice. To learn more about our approach to education, please visit our website.

Forest Floor - Spotted Salamander