Agency - WinterKids

WinterKids is committed to helping our children develop lifelong habits of health, education, and physical fitness through participation in outdoor winter activity.

Description:
For over ten years we have offered exciting outdoor winter programs for children, families, educators, and communities. We know that young people and adults are at risk for health problems when they are inactive. Since winter is Maine's longest season and the one in which people are most sedentary, we saw a need to help change this trend, and created outdoor, winter activity tools and programs that would improve the health of Maine's kids, and could be enjoyed by the whole family.

Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases such as obesity, and Type 2 diabetes. Our programs are aimed at developing healthy lifestyle habits. They include Welcome to Winter, WinterKids Active Academics Workshops, WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning (GOAL)Curriculum, WinterKids Passport & FunPass, WinterKids World Class Athlete Tour and WinterKids Snow School.

History:
WinterKids Welcome to Winter targets schools and communities that have large numbers of immigrant, refugee, and low-income populations. It helps newcomers to Maine and those without access to information and resources embrace and learn to navigate Maine winters and develop healthy living habits. There is a Welcome to Winter event held annually in Portland. WinterKids Active Academics Workshops deliver fun and educational outdoor lessons to teachers, students, and para-professionals at their schools, encouraging teachers to incorporate active outdoor lessons into their classroom studies; thereby, supporting improved academic performance and health. These are offered state-wide. WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning was developed for schools to address winter inactivity and academic requirements. The curriculum is aligned with the Maine Learning Results, and National Education Standards, and is utilized by teachers and after school groups throughout Maine. We also offer a national edition. WinterKids Passport provides every Maine 5th, 6th, and 7th grader with an entire season of free or discounted, healthy outdoor winter recreation activity. The Passport includes snowshoeing, dog sledding, tubing, ice-skating, alpine and cross-country skiing, and snowboarding, along with free or discounted tickets, lessons and rentals for parents and siblings. The FunPass is the PreK- 4th grader version of the Passport for Nordic centers.

Contact people:

Marion Doyle, Program Director, (phone), (email) Adam MacDonald, Communications Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

PO Box 7566 Portland, ME 04112

Directions:

We are located at the top of Exchange Street just below Congress Street. From 295, take the Franklin exit and head up the hill. Turn right on Congress Street. Exchange Street (one way going down the hill toward the water) is the third left- across from City Hall. Our street address is 120 Exchange Street - on the right side (Press Herald Building is on your left). Come to the second floor - Suite 205.   Nearest Bus Stop: any City Hall or Elm Street stops, 1 block minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Will you take volunteers that must do court ordered community service?
	In Some Cases
Will you take youth volunteers that are 11-15 years old?
	No
Will you take youth volunteers 16-18 years old?
	No
This agency has United Way funded programs
	No
The agency places volunteers in these categories:
	ages 15 - 18, Adults