Connecting to Nature With ForestKids
Think back to a favorite childhood memory outside—maybe climbing trees, skipping rocks, or playing a sport with neighborhood kids. Those experiences stay with us because nature connects us in ways nothing else can. Our partner, ForestKids, believes in keeping those connections alive, and together we’re working to make sure all kids have the chance to experience the outdoors.
The Benefits of Getting Outside
The benefits of outdoor play are numerous. When kids are outside, studies show that they move their bodies more, leading to less childhood obesity, heart issues, and musculoskeletal problems. There are also mental health benefits to being outside, like lower depression rates, anxiety, and better behavior. One study showed kids concentrate better in school after outdoor recess. Outdoor play can even help vision. An extra 40 minutes of outdoor play a day can slow myopia, the need for glasses for distance.
Together, KEY Collective and ForestKids are opening the outdoors to all
A huge barrier to the outdoors for many families is finding the time and space to be outside. Through their summer and school year programs, ForestKids offers guided outdoor play, getting kids off screens and into nature.
Founder Sarah Brown wanted to offer her programs to all demographics of Seacoast kids and worked with NH Charitable Foundation to secure funds for scholarships for families who can’t afford the tuition, but had a hard time finding the low-income kids that could benefit from these scholarships. That’s where The KEY Collective came in. “Partnering with The KEY Collective brought a whole new group of kids into my programs and expanded my demographic,” says Brown. “Many families don’t have the bandwidth to seek out programs for their kids. I think that is especially true with outdoor programs that families may not have a lot of experience with. The KEY Collective helped bridge that gap and brought kids to ForestKids.”
At the end of the day, it’s not just about trees, trails, or programs—it’s about the kids who will grow up with memories of climbing, exploring, and discovering the outdoors. With ForestKids by our side, we’re making sure those moments are accessible to all Seacoast kids.