Our programs reach children across all communities in Maine, offering opportunities for every child to explore the outdoors. We believe the earlier children have access to engaging physical activities, the stronger their foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
With winter being the longest and often most sedentary season in Maine, it’s crucial that we provide children with experiences that keep them moving and foster a deep connection to their natural environment.
Our Work:
Our History
2000
August
WinterKids Becomes Independent Nonprofit
WinterKids becomes a fully independent 501 c 3 non-profit, founded by Carla Marcus.
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.
September
First Outdoor Learning Curriculum
WinterKids’ first Outdoor Learning Curriculum is launched for grades K-8.
2001
WinterKids Passport Expands to Include XC Skiing
With the new expansion, the Passport now offers free passes with 16 downhill and 13 cross country area partners.
2002
National Outdoor Learning Curriculum Developed
Aligned with National Education Standards
Passport Expands to Include More Ages
WinterKids Passport expands to include 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, with 31 downhill and cross country area partners participating.
2003
January
Active Academic Workshops Begin
WinterKids Active Academic Workshops travel statewide to students, teachers, and after-school programs, with 302 kids participating. These dynamic workshops provide teachers with the tools they need to get their students outside and active during the winter. They are based on the 140-page Winter Outdoor Fitness Curriculum Guide (aligned with State of Maine Learning Results and National Education Standards).
World Class Athlete Tour Launches
World Class Athlete Tour reaches over 2,100 children across Maine over the course of three years (2003-2005).
2004
WinterKids Programs included in CDC Database
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes WinterKids Outdoor Learning Curriculum and Passport in its Health Promotion and Education Database.
University of Maine partners with WinterKids World Class Athlete Tour
2005
July
Marion Doyle Joins Team WinterKids
Marion Doyle joined the WinterKids team in 2005 and continues to serve today as Education Director.
WinterKids Launches Three New Programs
WinterKids Live!, WinterKids SnowSchool are launched, and Welcome to Winter is developed, an outreach program designed to introduce immigrant, refugee, and low-income families to winter.
2006
Passport Expands to Include Skating, Tubing, and More.
The WinterKids Passport expands to include 50 statewide partners: 16 downhill, 19 cross-country, 11 ice arenas, 3 tubing and sledding parks, and 1 dog sled center.
Active Academic Workshops Double in Participation
Active Academics Workshops reach 883 kids at 18 schools across Maine, a 100% growth over the prior year (473 in 2005). First workshop is conducted for non-English speaking children.
2007
Outdoor Learning Curriculum Expands Across the Country
The Outdoor Learning Curriculum has been renamed and is now called the Guide to Active Outdoor Learning. Thanks to a grant from the Stephen and Tabatha King Foundation, a NEW Pre-K edition has also been created.
New Balance Foundation Partners with WinterKids
The New Balance Foundation begins a partnership with WinterKids to offer programs to children in the New Balance factory towns of Skowhegan, Norridgewock, and Norway.
2008
Carla Marcus Steps Down, and Julie Mulkern joins Team WinterKids
Founder, Carla Marcus, steps down from the Executive Director position, after serving for 8 years. Julie Mulkern joins WinterKids as Development Director and will eventually lead as Executive Director until 2024.
WinterKids Introduces the FunPass
WinterKids introduces the FunPass for children in pre-school through grade 4 to enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing at over 20 Maine locations for free.
2009
June
First Fundraising Event
WinterKids holds its first annual fundraising event, An Evening with Olympic Gold Medalist, Seth Wescott, and receives the organization’s largest ever individual gift from Steve Campbell, in memory of his son, Cooper.
December
First Cooper Campbell Day
at Shawnee Peak
WinterKids kicks off the season with the first-ever Cooper Campbell Day, a learn to ski or snowboard event for 75 children and adults at Shawnee Peak.
2010
Continued Growth With Active Academics Workshops
Active Academics Workshops continue steady growth, seeing 1,587 kids in 25 schools across Maine in 2009, and 2,363 kids in 26 schools in 2010.
Jack Mannheimer Fund Established
A new fund in honor of long time board member, Jack Mannheimer, is established.
WinterKids Unveils Plans for the WinterKids Challenge
The new WinterKids Challenge will be developed for Maine teachers to participate in active outdoor lessons at least 3 times during winter.
WinterKids Board of Directors Expands to 15 Members
2011
January
Snowshoe and StoryWalk© Loan Program Launches
Pre-K Edition of the Guide to Active Outdoor Learning is Re-Written
The rewritten edition of the Pre-K GOAL now includes
- 3 Units
- Weekly Lesson Plans
- A completely new format
2012
June
Inaugural License to Chill
at Bubba’s Sulky Lounge
The first ever License to Chill, held at Bubba’s Sulky Lounge in Portland, brought together 275 WinterKids supporters for a night of laughter, music and fun, raising nearly $20,000.
2013
March
Inaugural Downhill Derby
at Mt Abram
December
Peisner Nordic Fund (2013-2024) & George K Scholarship Fund (2013-2018) established
2014
March
Downhill Derby becomes Downhill 24
at Mt. Abram
2015
Pre-K Guide to Active Outdoor Learning Updated to align with new MELDS
2016
March
Downhill 24 Moves to Sugarloaf Mountain
New science lessons are added to the Elementary Guide to Active Outdoor Learning
2018
August
WinterKids is Beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon
January
Inaugural WinterKids Winter Games
Ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, one elementary school in each of Maine’s 16 counties competed in a four-week outdoor physical activity and nutrition challenge, competing for cash prizes and equipment for their schools. In all, over 4,500 students and 230 teachers across the state participated.
A new 2-week unit is added to the Pre-K Guide to Active Outdoor Learning, titled “Spring Forward“.
The Guide now contains 4 units, along with new newsletter templates.
Ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, one elementary school in each of Maine’s 16 counties competed in a four-week outdoor physical activity and nutrition challenge, competing for cash prizes and equipment for their schools. In all, over 4,500 students and 230 teachers across the state participated.
2019
November
WinterKids Passport Goes Mobile
2020
October
Ski Michigan Licenses the WinterKids App Technology for their program.
2021
January
Winter Games Adapt to first “Play Along“ format due to Covid
2022
October
Ski New Hampshire Licenses the WinterKids App Technology for their program.
January
Winter Games officially launches two distinct tracks: Play Along and Competitive
2023
August
Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund Established (2022-2024)
2024
Julie Mulkern Steps Down, and Courtney Holub joins Team WinterKids as Executive Director
August