Earlier this month, WinterKids welcomed educators, healthcare leaders, business partners, nonprofit professionals, outdoor advocates, and longtime supporters to the inaugural Leadership Summit at the Gorman Conference Center at L.L.Bean. The morning was designed to do more than celebrate a milestone year. It was an opportunity to bring people together around a shared belief: when Maine kids have access to movement, outdoor learning, and joyful winter experiences, entire communities benefit.
The room was filled with thoughtful conversation, new connections, and a shared sense of possibility. Throughout the morning, one theme emerged again and again: WinterKids’ work extends far beyond recreation. It shapes confidence, connection, health, resilience, and belonging for thousands of Maine children and families every year.
The event featured two panel conversations highlighting voices from education, healthcare, adaptive recreation, and corporate partnership. Rather than focusing solely on WinterKids programs, the discussions explored the broader ripple effects of outdoor learning and active lifestyles.
Panelists spoke candidly about what they are seeing across Maine:
- Children struggling with confidence and connection after years of disruption
- The growing importance of movement and outdoor experiences for mental and physical health
- The role schools, families, healthcare organizations, and businesses can play in creating healthier communities
- The long-term value of helping kids discover joy, confidence, and belonging outdoors at an early age
One of the most moving moments came from WinterKids alumni and Maine Adaptive Program Director Nate Podgajny, who reflected on how WinterKids experiences during his childhood shaped his relationship with the outdoors and influenced the path he leads today. His story reinforced a reality many in the room recognized: this work creates lifelong outcomes.
The morning also highlighted the power of partnership.
Organizations across Maine continue stepping forward not simply as investors, but as collaborators in building healthier futures for kids. Leaders from healthcare, education, outdoor recreation, and business sectors shared how deeply aligned this work feels with their own missions and priorities.
Throughout the event, attendees experienced the spirit of WinterKids firsthand — including a movement break led by Education Director Marion Doyle using activities from the Learn Outside Guide. In true WinterKids fashion, the room was invited not just to listen, but to move, laugh, connect, and participate.
As WinterKids celebrates 25 years, we’re also reflecting on the scale of what has been built together. During the 2025–2026 season alone:
- More than 24,000 children participated in WinterKids programs
- Over 50,000 educators, families, and community members were reached
- Programs were active in all 16 counties across Maine
What began 25 years ago as an idea rooted in winter activity and healthy habits has grown into a statewide movement grounded in education, access, wellness, and community connection.
The Community Partners Breakfast was a reminder that this work has never belonged to one person or one organization alone. It belongs to the educators creating outdoor learning experiences in their classrooms, to the healthcare leaders advocating for movement and wellness, to the businesses investing in Maine families, to the recreation partners who provide us with discounted access, and to the volunteers, donors, schools, and community members helping create opportunities for kids to try something new.
Most importantly, it belongs to the children whose confidence, joy, and connection to the outdoors continue to grow through these experiences.
After 25 years, the mission remains as important as ever, and the momentum behind it continues to grow.
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