WinterKids is an industry leader dedicated exclusively to inspiring and increasing outdoor physical activity for children and families in Maine, turning our longest season into a time of adventure, health, and connection.
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Participants reached through WinterKids programs since 2010!
How We Create Change
Our Work
WinterKids provides an opportunity to directly impact kids so they develop a love for the outdoors and learn how to make good choices about food and lifestyle. That excites me!
Derrick Hill
WinterKids Board President / Oldcastle Materials, Inc.
Because of this competition, my family is now rethinking our snack choices and making healthier ones, our kids and community have formed a wonderful bond coming together for one goal, and you managed to get a Mom, who hates winter and the cold, outside embracing the beauty of Maine having fun with her kids.
Dayton Consolidated School Mom
How do you combine a community, school, home, nutrition, exercise, team, kids, parents, teachers, school spirit, awareness, and fun? Participate in WinterKids Winter Games!! Seriously had no idea how amazing this would be and what our community was capable of! The support and Camaraderie is incredible. What a positive experience this has been for our kids and all the parents too!
Christina Barber
I am SO thankful for the impact this Winter Kids competition has on our kids. In this short time, the changes in attitudes, physical activity, even the helpfulness of students was very heart-warming.
School Nurse
Piscataquis Community Elementary School
It has been inspirational to watch our community unite around a common purpose of healthy, active kids.
Sarah Maxwell
Assistant Principal / Waldo T. Skillen School
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.
Celeste Emery, North Yarmouth
We tried cross country skiing for the first time & we all liked it. Lots of fun & a great discount on kids rentals.
Heike Gondolfo, Scarborough
Kudos to you and this organization for mapping out such a wonderful program for Maine schools. I have been blown away by every aspect of this initiative.
Christine Bertinet
Principal / Waterboro Elementary School
Being a parent and a WinterKids volunteer is a wonderful way to give back, but it also brings it full circle for me. My employer supports WinterKids and encourages my participation which makes it so easy to volunteer! Oh, and don't forget the WinterKids staff, they have FUN written all over them!
Erin Embrey
WinterKids Volunteer / TD Bank
I had such great opportunities growing up to ski and snowboard in the Maine mountains, so I am glad to give back by reaching out to kids and encouraging them to get outside and participate in healthy winter sports. WinterKids creates those opportunities for kids.
Seth Wescott
Two-time Olympic champion in the snowboard cross / Winterstick
I think the WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning binder is great!! There are so many things that can be done to help get kids moving, yet connect it back to many areas of education as well. ELC is an alternative school for students who just can't seem to work in a public school setting. We generally try to do activities that do get them outside and moving since the kids we work with tend to do better with hands on activities.
Stephanie Tyler
Early Learning Center, New Hampshire
Let's just say several parents told me their students were sleeping better at night and at school we've had much less behavior issues this week! Two very big positives for WinterKids Winter Games challenge week #2!!
C. Ellis
Principal / Miles Lane Elementary
The kids were so excited to go outside and therefore were more engaged in the lesson. It was also a great way for me to get a quick check in on the where the kids were with these skills.
Kate Moore
Brown Elementary, New Hampshire
We loved our WinterKids materials. The kids had so much fun using the animal track tracker. We spent many afternoons looking for new animal prints.
Toby Watt
Wee Care Daycare, New Hampshire
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.
Penni Theriault
WinterKids provides an opportunity to directly impact kids so they develop a love for the outdoors and learn how to make good choices about food and lifestyle. That excites me!
Derrick Hill
WinterKids Board President / Oldcastle Materials, Inc.
Because of this competition, my family is now rethinking our snack choices and making healthier ones, our kids and community have formed a wonderful bond coming together for one goal, and you managed to get a Mom, who hates winter and the cold, outside embracing the beauty of Maine having fun with her kids.
Dayton Consolidated School Mom
Photo courtesy of Pine Street Elementary, in Presque Isle, Maine, during the closing ceremonies of the 2022 WinterKids Winter Games
Recent WinterKids News
At WinterKids, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Their time, energy, and love for the outdoors help create joyful, active winter experiences for children and families across Maine.
In honor of National Volunteer Week 2025, we’re proud to spotlight a few of the incredible people who make our work possible. From longtime supporters to new faces, each brings something unique to our community—and we’re so grateful for their dedication.
The 13th Annual Downhill 24 at Sugarloaf Mountain was one for the books! From impressive fundraising totals to non-stop skiing and snowboarding under the lights, this 24-hour challenge brought together an incredible community of winter athletes, fundraisers, and supporters. Check out the final results, top fundraisers, and an exclusive photo gallery celebrating the biggest winter fundraiser in Maine. Whether you skied, donated, or cheered from the sidelines—this event proved that when we come together, we make a difference for kids across Maine!