It started with a relatively modest idea back in 1997 - keeping kids in Maine active and healthy during the state's notoriously long Winter. It's now blossomed into a thriving, independent non-profit organization featuring Board members from leading organizations such as L.L. Bean, Hannaford's, Maine Medical Center, the American Cancer Society and more, featuring a plethora of Winter activities and events for the whole family.

It's WinterKids, and it's helping to get Maine families out during the cold weather months to take advantage of Maine's climate, topography and natural beauty. Whether it's snowshoeing, ice skating, or apline or nordic skiing, there's something for everyone, at a price any family can afford.

For example, the WinterKids Passport offers all Maine 5th, 6th and 7th graders the ooportunity to learn and enjoy Winter sports, with free and discounted tickets lessons and rentals at 50 outdoor recreation areas, including ski areas, nordic ski centers and ice skating arenas for only $25. For younger kids, the WinterKids FunPass offers Maine children from preschool through 4th grade the chance to try cross-country skiing and snowskoeing at 20 locations at no charge!

And WinterKids is very involved with school systems - so much so that they've developed the Guide to Outdoor Active Learning (GOAL), a teacher-friendly resource book that makes it easy for teachers to integrate fun outdoor activity into academic lessons. 

As you might expect, our friends at Shawnee Peak are an active participant in WinterKids. In fact, WinterKids actually kicked off the 2010/2011 Winter season last December 19 at Shawnee Peak with "Cooper Campbell Day", when the resort offered 75 and adults children and adults the chance to try skiing and snowboarding for the very first time, with free lessons, rentals, and lift tickets - all in the memory of Cooper Campbell, a young man who was tragically killed by a drunk driver on the Maine Turnpike. 

For more information on WinterKids, call 207-871-5700, or visit www.winterkids.org