What Is Kestrel?

Kestrel is a natural science education organization connecting people of all ages with meaningful learning adventures.

Based in Beverly, Massachusetts, Kestrel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization inspiring a sense of wonder, understanding, and connection to the natural world through playful, outdoor, scientific inquiry. 

Kestrel provides custom designed natural science and outdoor education experiences that are rooted in each unique place where programs are held. We center children and their ideas, helping them to cultivate skills they can use independently, and mentor them to create original, meaningful work to be shared with others.

Kestrel’s school programs lead students into wild places near each school to conduct science investigations the way scientists do science; seeking answers to unknown questions, understanding whole systems, and becoming knowledgeable about the natural history of their communities.

Our afterschool and camp programs are close knit and supportive learning communities that involve children substantially in decision making, giving them room to explore and create and to challenge themselves. On all our programs, we prioritize fun, direct connection with the natural world, intellectual risk taking, and imagination.

We are committed to overcoming barriers caused by racism, sexism, and economic inequalities in educational programming.

All our work is mission based, and we put our mission before everything else.

Our instructors are highly trained professionals who understand children’s social and emotional needs and Essex County natural history. They are also familiar with K-12 science frameworks, and can design original content, respond to teacher requests, and pivot a lesson on the spot to meet the needs of each group.

We currently serve the communities of Beverly, Salem, Ipswich, Essex, Manchester, Gloucester, Hamilton, Wenham, and Rockport, among others in Eastern Essex County.

We also offer professional development and curriculum services to educators. All of our programs center on finding a sense of place through direct experiences, constructing understanding of natural systems, and building the skills scientists use to make new discoveries. 

We travel throughout Eastern Essex County, and beyond, to bring people into connection with the publicly accessible wild spaces in their own communities. We can meet you at your school or youth’s program’s location, or you can come to our headquarters. We custom design everything to fit your local landscape and specific needs.

The three pillars of our learning adventures are: Sensory awareness, imagination, and systems thinking

Our namesake comes from the smallest of the falcons, the American Kestrel. This slight but powerful bird reminds us that even the smallest people, and the smallest animals, can have a powerful impact. To learn more about our name, click here.

Founded by volunteers to improve scientific literacy in Gloucester Public Schools, Kestrel has grown dramatically since it was conceived in 2002. Today we work with dozens of schools representing thousands of students in communities across Essex County. For a list of some of our recent partner schools, click here. 

In addition to our work with schools, we offer a menu of youth programs, including after school, homeschool and summer programs, alongside a traditional assortment of adult and family programs throughout the year. 

Because we believe access to the natural world ought to be a basic human right, we work hard to make sure everyone who wants a seat at our table gets one. We specifically target underserved communities who are often overlooked by our competitors and we conduct fundraising campaigns and solicit grants to keep our prices affordable for everyone.