Childhood memories are often rooted in time spent outside—climbing trees, skipping rocks, or exploring with friends. A new partnership between The KEY Collective and ForestKids aims to ensure all Seacoast kids, regardless of family income, have the same opportunities to experience nature.

Research shows that outdoor play supports physical and mental health, improving everything from obesity rates and heart health to concentration and vision. Yet, for many families, barriers such as time, cost, and accessibility prevent kids from engaging in these life-changing experiences.

ForestKids, founded by Sarah Brown, offers year-round programs that connect kids to the outdoors through guided play. Recognizing the need for accessibility, Brown partnered with the NH Charitable Foundation to obtain funds for scholarships, but struggled to reach families who could benefit most.

“Partnering with The KEY Collective brought a whole new group of kids into my programs and expanded my demographic,” said Brown. “Many families don’t have the bandwidth to seek out programs for their kids. The KEY Collective helped bridge that gap and brought kids to ForestKids.”

The KEY Collective identifies and supports families in need by managing the financial eligibility process, removing the need for programs like ForestKids to collect financial information on their own. By managing the financial assistance directly through their #areuin? card program, The KEY Collective ensures families can participate without red tape or social stigma, keeping their financial status as anonymous as possible. “Families shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get their kids outside,” said Kristyn LaFleur, Founder & Executive Director at The KEY Collective. “We take care of the financial piece so every child can join ForestKids with dignity, while ForestKids can concentrate on creating memorable outdoor experiences.”

During the summer of 2025 ForestKids gave 15 scholarships to 12 #areuin? card members, equating to $5,440. ForestKids is offering full scholarships to #areuin? card members for their five different afterschool options this fall which begin October 1 and are open to all children on the Seacoast in grades K through 8. The KEY Collective and ForestKids will also partner to offer scholarships for winter nature immersion classes and February winter school vacation camp. 

About the KEY Collective

The KEY Collective, founded in 2017, is a non-profit organization providing K-12 youth from low-income families throughout NH's seacoast region access to sports, arts, camps and other youth activities for free or at a reduced cost with no red tape and no social stigma attached. Learn more about KEY Collective at https://www.keycollective.org/ 

About ForestKids