Our unique annual academic challenge encourages outdoor physical activity, teamwork, and a passion for learning outdoors in winter.
WinterKids Winter Games Participation Tracks Explained:
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| ALL participating schools win cash, up to $5,000 for 1st place. | No cash prizes. |
| Schools receive 4 weeks’ worth of outdoor learning activities, incentive items for each student to help execute those activities, and BONUS MATERIALS! | Schools receive 4 weeks’ worth of outdoor learning activities and incentive items for each student (while supplies last) to help execute those activities. |
| Great way to bring the school community together and improve morale during the shortest days of the year. | Great way to bring the school community together and improve morale during the shortest days of the year. |
| Free for the 16 Maine schools selected from applicants. | Free for all Maine schools, $8.50 per student for schools outside of Maine. |
| Full school participation is required, adhering to a schedule, with competition scored using a rubric. | Can participate as a class or as a school, moving at your own pace without scoring or competition. |
This Year’s Theme:
WEEK 1: TEMPERATURE
1/13-1/17
Incentive:
Keychain Thermometer
Event:
Opening Ceremony
Moment of the Week:
Video
Week 1 is sponsored by:
WEEK 2: PRECIPITATION
1/20-1/24
Incentive:
Tape Measure
Event:
Community Lunch
Moment of the Week:
Photo
WEEK 3: WIND
1/27-1/31
Incentive:
Sunglasses
Event:
Family Night
Moment of the Week:
Photo
Week 3 is sponsored by:
WEEK 4: CLOUDS
2/3-2/7
Incentive:
Observer Notebook w/pencil
Event:
Closing Ceremony
Moment of the Week:
Video
COMPETITIVE TRACK ZONE
About the WinterKids Winter Games Competitive Track:
The Winter Games Competitive Track provides an opportunity for schools to earn cash prizes (up to $5,000!) by engaging students, staff, faculty, and the community in healthy outdoor activities. Teams (schools) participate by earning points for completing activities outlined in our weekly rubrics.
It’s a commitment. It’s competitive. It’s community-building.
The whole school gets involved and fosters a love of winter by moving and learning outside during Maine’s BEST season.
How it works:
In early December, schools can participate in a pre-competition orientation webinar.
Throughout the four weeks of the Winter Games, schools can accrue up to 25 points per week based on a rubric of challenges.
One school per week will receive one bonus point for the winning Wild Card Wednesday submission, as judged by an independent panel of WinterKids sponsors.
ALL Competitive Track schools will win cash and prizes regardless of where they rank in final results. Top cash prizes go to Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal-winning schools.
Schools that compete in the Competitive Track can expect the following:
- Four weeks of outdoor competition for the entire student body and faculty (extra points for non-teaching staff)
- A comprehensive PLAYBook and weekly rubrics to guide your team to success
- Community involvement to support your school
- Parent & family engagement, the likes of which you may not have seen before
- The four weeks will fly by when engaged in this fun, friendly competition!
Want to add the Winter Games logo to your school’s photos or videos? Right-click the image below to save it to your computer, or long-press it to save it to your mobile device.
The 2025 Competitive Track Schedule is as follows:
- October 1-27, 2024 – Competitive Track Application Window
- November 8, 2024 – Competitive Track Schools Announced
- Early December 2024 – Winter Games toolkits delivered to Competitive Track schools
- January 13-17, 2025 – Winter Games Week 1
- January 20-24, 2025 – Winter Games Week 2
- January 27-31, 2025 – Winter Games Week 3
- February 3-February 7, 2025 – Winter Games Week 4
- February 14, 2025 – Medal Winners and Final Results Announced
WEEK 1: TEMPERATURE
1/13-1/17
Incentive:
Keychain Thermometer
Event:
Opening Ceremony
Moment of the Week:
Video
Week 1 is sponsored by:
WEEK 2: PRECIPITATION
1/20-1/24
Incentive:
Tape Measure
Event:
Community Lunch
Moment of the Week:
Photo
WEEK 3: WIND
1/27-1/31
Incentive:
Sunglasses
Event:
Family Night
Moment of the Week:
Photo
Week 3 is sponsored by:
WEEK 4: CLOUDS
2/3-2/7
Incentive:
Observer Notebook w/pencil
Event:
Closing Ceremony
Moment of the Week:
Video
The eligibility and selection process for the Competitive Track is as follows:
- Any public elementary school in Maine can apply EXCEPT for previous WinterKids Winter Games GOLD Medal Winners.
- All schools selected for the 2025 WinterKids Winter Games are at the discretion of WinterKids.
- One school per county will be selected to compete in the 2025 WinterKids Winter Games.
Preference will be given to schools with:
- The least access to community resources and supports.
- Adherence to the instructions outlined on our application.
- Proposals that include the improvement of students’ health and the school environment.
Past Winners:
2024
🥇 Williams-Cone School | Topsham, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
🥈 Rangeley Lakes Regional School | Rangeley, Maine (Franklin County)
🥉 West Bath School | West Bath, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
2023
🥇 Leroy H. Smith School | Winterport, Maine (Waldo County)
🥈 Williams-Cone School | Topsham, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
🥉 Rangeley Lakes Regional School | Rangeley, Maine (Franklin County)
2022
🥇 Jonesport Elementary | Jonesport, Maine (Washington County)
🥈 West Bath School | West Bath, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
🥉 Leroy H. Smith School | Winterport, Maine (Waldo County)
2021
Due to COVID, no medals awarded | fully remote edition of the Winter Games.
2020
🥇 Prescott Memorial School | Washington, Maine (Knox County)
🥈 Jonesport Elementary | Jonesport, Maine (Washington County)
🥉 Dr. Levesque Elementary School | Frenchville, Maine (Aroostook County)
Hear from past participants about the impact of the Winter Games on their schools:
PLAY-ALONG TRACK ZONE
Play-Along Track Registration Begins 12/1!
Sign up for email alerts:
The community has been super excited, the whole school, there's been a different atmosphere and we're just really happy to be chosen to be part of this, this year.
Teacher / Leroy H. Smith School
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.
Principal / Waterboro Elementary School
Win or lose, this has been a wonderful experience for our staff and our community.
Principal / Ash Point Community School
Of course we want to win! But I feel like we've already won... It's an immediate result. You can see the difference in the kids."
Principal / Swan's Island School
Ok, first and foremost, this is the COOLEST program. The amount of thought that has gone into it is incredible.
PE Teacher / Waterboro Elementary School
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.
Piscataquis Community Elementary School
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.
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!
It has been inspirational to watch our community unite around a common purpose of healthy, active kids.
Assistant Principal / Waldo T. Skillen School
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!!
Principal / Miles Lane Elementary
This was truly an inspiration to the kids, staff and families to embrace the winters here in Maine, more than they already have.
School Nurse / Dayton Consolidated School
The WinterKids Winter Games are brought to you by:
Weekly Sponsors:
Contributing Sponsors:
