Joining BOA means taking our pledge. This is perhaps the most important part of membership, and everyone who joins, sponsors or provides events to BOA has promised they will strive to fulfill it.

As an individual, and/or organization, I/we aspire to achieve the following:

Children will have outdoor opportunities for free play and discovery that:

• Include varied experiences, materials, and locations
• Include experiences that stimulate exploration, imagination, and curiosity
• Are developmentally appropriate
• Support social, cognitive, emotional and physical growth
• Instill a sense of place
• Encourage ‘safe risks’
• Include exploration of the regional environment and culture

Caregivers will:

• Model Inquiry and exploration
• Inspire wonder, and awe
• Exude and promote positive emotions
• Strike a balance between being involved and intrusive
• Follow child’s lead
• Listen and question
• Plan opportunities that build on child’s interests and curiosities
• Tolerate ‘messiness’
• Promote interactions with nature and with others

Caregivers will provide opportunities to expand learning through:

• Inquiry experiences where appropriate
• Resource materials, tools and technology where appropriate.
• Exploring the connection between nature experiences and learning from other disciplines
• Enhancing understandings of the environment and society, including living in a sustainable manner

Programming will include the above, and:

• If curriculum is used, will demonstrate support of Arizona academic standards and the NPEEE Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education.
• Support active, hands-on learning opportunities
• Integrate natural science learning into all components of programming
• Maximize outdoor time

Outdoor Settings will:

• Include varied materials and equipment
• Be inviting, engaging, and stimulating
• Be appropriate for children
• Promote interactions with nature and with others
• Be easy to access, easy to move through, and easy to play in
• Be safe, yet with appropriate ‘risks’ for excitement

Get the PDF!

Download the BOA Pledge as a PDF.