WinterKids is celebrating 25 Years! Learn More ➔

25th Logo Badge Blue BG

Join us in Celebrating 25 Years of Joyful Outdoor Learning & Play

Since August of 2000, WinterKids has helped children and families build healthy habits through joyful outdoor experiences. This milestone year, we will celebrate 25 years of connecting kids with Maine’s great outdoors and winter’s natural classroom, and look ahead to a future filled with adventure, movement, and learning.

Throughout the upcoming season, WinterKids will offer inclusive events and engaging school programs. Every initiative is designed to bring more families and classrooms outdoors, highlighting the power of movement, nature, and play.

A Journey Through 25 Years:

2000

August

WinterKids Becomes Independent Nonprofit

WinterKids becomes a fully independent 501 c 3 non-profit, founded by Carla Marcus.

OLD WinterKids Logo Pink & Yellow (1)

Ski Passport Officially Recognized as the WinterKids Passport

Initially a SkiMaine initiative, WinterKids takes on management of the Ski Passport program, officially renaming it the WinterKids Passport. The program offers free lift tickets to 5th graders across Maine.

Passport FY01
Passport FY01 (2000 2001)

September

First Outdoor Learning Curriculum

WinterKids’ first Outdoor Learning Curriculum is launched for grades K-8.

2000 First Outdoor Learning Curriculum

Join the Snowflake Club!

Last year, we reached over 8% of all school-aged children in Maine, and with your support, we can do even more.

Celebrating Girl

Your monthly gift brings the joy of winter, the power of outdoor learning, and the promise of belonging to kids across Maine.

Play the Maine Way!

Join the 25 Days of Movement Challenge

Play the Maine WayIn honor of our 25th anniversary, we’ve created this family-friendly challenge to get your family outside moving, learning, exploring, and falling in love with Maine’s great outdoors. Register by Wednesday, August 13, for a chance to win prizes!

Get Everyone Outside Medium

“As part of the GEO team, Get Everyone Outside, participating with Winter Kids helps tremendously with having fun activities to do with the younger students. I look forward to making the sun catchers with our class every year! They enjoy collecting items, creating masterpieces, and then predicting if it will freeze or not with the temperatures we are having. So fun!”

-Nichole Bryant, Get Everyone Outside

The WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning has brought so much to our school, not just in ways that keep the children physically active but also in ways to keep them engaged socially and emotionally. Many of the activities are geared to get the children working together and becoming a team, no winners, no losers...just kids having fun.
Orange Snowflake with space
Penni Theriault
We were able to ski affordably and wouldn't have gotten to do this without the app. We also tried ice skating for the first time.
Orange Snowflake with space
Celeste Emery, North Yarmouth
It has been inspirational to watch our community unite around a common purpose of healthy, active kids.
Orange Snowflake with space
Sarah Maxwell
Assistant Principal / Waldo T. Skillen School
FY25 01 Comp Track Opening Ceremony 2 Rangeley Lakes Large

Share Your Story

At WinterKids, we believe in the power of outdoor winter fun to inspire healthy, lifelong habits—and we know the magic of those moments often extends far beyond the snow.

Whether you’re a family, teacher, student, or part of a community program like Parks & Recreation, we’d love to hear how WinterKids has positively changed your life, classroom, or community.

Maybe it’s a newfound love of winter activities, stronger connections with friends and family, or a special memory made at one of our events or programs. Whatever your WinterKids story is, big or small, it matters to us—and it could inspire others to get outside, explore, and embrace all that winter has to offer!

Share your favorite WinterKids moment or memory by completing the form below:

Your Name
How have you been involved in WinterKids programs and events?
Which WinterKids programs have you been involved with?
Share your story of how WinterKids programs created a positive effect/change for you and your family:
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 10 files.
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