FKO holds ribbon cutting for Outdoor Nature Classroom

For Kids Only (FKO) Winthrop held a ribbon-cutting celebration for its new Outdoor Nature Classroom on Aug. 3 at the beautiful, state-of-the-art facility located at 233 Winthrop St.

In her welcoming remarks, FKO Executive Director Deborah Kneeland Keegan said that FKO, which has become a national model for after-school programming, serves 135 children daily in the town. FKO also serves the communities of Revere, Chelsea, Everett, and Peabody.

“I am extremely honored and grateful to have you all come together with me today to celebrate the opening of our Outdoor Nature Classroom,” Kneeland Keegan told the large gathering. She said the Outdoor Nature Classroom “draws on the children’s innate enjoyment of nature’s exploration and maximizes the number of children from Winthrop who will access and benefit from high-quality, outdoor enrichment programming for many years to come.”

Town Council James Letterie praised the excellent leadership of Kneeland Keegan and noted the benefits of FKO’s presence in the town.

“It’s really a pleasure to be here to help celebrate with FKO the opening of this incredible, beautiful Outdoor Nature Classroom,” said Letterie. “Debbie has been such an incredible advocate for the youth of Winthrop for decades and it’s so appreciated. That incredible drive and passion has served our community extremely well. This latest project is just yet another example of just that. Debbie would be the first to say that without the unbelievable support of the EEC, along with the EEOSC grant program, this would not be possible.”