Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal Winning Schools announced in the 7th Annual WinterKids Winter Games
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Julie Mulkern, Executive Director
(207) 871-5700 x102 or (207) 671-4661
jmulkern@winterkids.org
Feb 14, 2024, Westbrook, Maine – The 7th annual WinterKids Winter Games wrapped up this February with 16 schools competing statewide to win a total of $17,750 for their schools! The Winter Games is a 4-week series of challenges in outdoor physical activity, nutrition, family engagement, and winter carnival. All Competitive Track schools received a cash prize based on how they finished.
In addition, 60 schools (57 in Maine, two in New Hampshire, and one in Indiana) participated as part of our Play-Along track. This non competitive track allows schools to play along at their own pace.
All told, 10,000 kids in Maine participated in the WinterKids Winter Games, between the competitive and play-along versions of the program.
2024 WinterKids Winter Games Top Winning Schools:
BRONZE MEDAL ($1,500 cash prize): West Bath School, West Bath (Sagadahoc County)
SILVER MEDAL ($3,000 cash prize): Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Rangeley (Franklin County)
GOLD MEDAL ($5,000): Williams-Cone School, Topsham (Sagadahoc County)
Schools placing 4th through 10th earned $750 each, while schools placing 11th through 16th earned $500. These funds may be used at the discretion of the school, though WinterKids hopes to see the money support increased student health and outdoor physical activity.
“This program is so much more than 4 weeks of competition. It has been an incredible catalyst for family involvement, local community support, and teachers making their schools healthier with outdoor learning,” says Julie Mulkern, WinterKids Executive Director. “WinterKids is so proud of the kids and everyone involved!”
Embracing outdoor learning helps to counteract the negative effects of excessive screen time – particularly for those in elementary school. WinterKids provides resources for both teachers and parents to get their kids outside and active, including the WinterKids Learn Outside Guide, the WinterKids App, and downloadable activities on the organization’s website at www.winterkids.org.
The WinterKids Winter Games are brought to you by Hannaford Snack Pals, Wyman’s (Week 1 Sponsor-Outdoor Physical Activity), Backyard Farms (Week 2 sponsor-Nutrition), Aroma Joe’s (Week 3 sponsor-Family Engagement), and Contributing Sponsors, Kittery Trading Post, MMG Insurance, and Stockhouse Station.
ABOUT WINTERKIDS
WinterKids is a nonprofit organization based in Maine that provides children with opportunities to stay active, healthy, and learn outdoors during the winter months. Since its establishment in 1997, WinterKids has been dedicated to ensuring that hundreds of thousands of children embrace the joy of outdoor winter activities while reaping the numerous physical and mental health benefits they provide.
Through innovative programs, including the WinterKids App, WinterKids Winter Games, Welcome to Winter, License to Chill, WinterKids StoryWalk & Snowshoe Loan Program, WinterKids Learn Outside Guide, WinterKids Peisner Nordic Fund, Mountain Mayhem, WinterKids Downhill 24, and D24 Outdoor Fund, WinterKids helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through fun, outdoor winter activity.
WinterKids’ Major Community Sponsor is L.L. Bean. Supporting Sponsors are Agren, CMP, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, WEX, WMTW and The CW, and Zachau Construction.