2023 Goals
- 1. Improve health outcomes for the next generation through increased physical activity – by nurturing a connection to our natural environment and helping kids to discover the joy and health benefits of winter activity.
- 2. Provide opportunities and easy access for all Maine families to try new winter activities at participating winter sports areas with a native, mobile WinterKids App.
- 3. Ensure all kids are active and moving outdoors more often during the school day with The WinterKids Learn Outside Guide, an innovative, standards-aligned resource for early educators and elementary school teachers; and, the WinterKids Winter Games – a 4-week outdoor physical activity challenge for Maine elementary schools.
- 4. Collaborate with other like-minded organizations to get more kids outside and active year-round.
WinterKids reaches upwards of 40,000 kids, teachers and families annually with innovative outdoor education programs in schools, homes and communities across Maine and beyond.
Our school programs target high need, rural areas with the least access to resources (WinterKids Learn Outside Guides, WinterKids Winter Games).
Our family programs target high demand areas near winter sports areas (WinterKids App, Peisner Nordic Program, WinterKids Family Days).
Our community programs target high population areas with the greatest opportunity for broad messaging and impact on local outdoor activity (WinterKids Welcome to Winter, WinterKids Family Days, WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund, WinterKids StoryWalk & Snowshoe Loan).
Fundraising/Event Opportunities
The WinterKids License to Chill in Portland is a perfect way to kick off winter while supporting getting more kids outside. Hosted by Coast 93.1’s Blake & Kelly, this fun event offers live music, a silent and live auction, local entertainment, brews and food! Learn more about sponsoring or attending this event at WinterKids.org.
The WinterKids Downhill 24 at Sugarloaf is Maine’s premiere winter fundraiser. Traditionally the first weekend in March, the Downhill 24 challenges teams to ski, snowboard or skin for 24 hours to raise money for WinterKids programs. In 10 years, this event has raised $3.5 million for WinterKids programs. Learn how to become a sponsor or sign up your team at WinterKids.org.
Giving Opportunities
Donate to the WinterKids Fund with one-time or monthly donations, stock gifts, tribute gifts and more. Sponsor a WinterKids program! WinterKids has enjoyed many long-term partnerships, large and small, with corporate sponsors statewide. The benefits of sponsoring WinterKids are many – and we are always interested in creating custom partnerships that work best for our corporate partners.
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities including one-time and recurring, in-person and remote, community service, and group projects. WinterKids welcomes volunteers of all ages and abilities who are enthusiastic about keeping kids healthy by getting them outside and active in the winter, and year-round. Volunteers help in the office and join us at events.
