WINTERPORT — Leroy H. Smith School students have won the first place gold medal and a $5,000 prize in the sixth annual WinterKids Winter Games. They learned the news yesterday afternoon, Feb. 14, with an in-person announcement from WinterKids organizers.
The statewide competition wrapped up last week with 16 schools competing to win cash prizes for their schools. The Winter Games is a four-week series of challenges in outdoor physical activity, nutrition, family engagement and winter carnival.
It was Smith School’s fourth year participating in the Winter Games, this year with the theme, “My Wild Winter.”
Each of the competing schools receive a cash prize based on how they finish, and play-along classrooms and schools receive prizes. All told, 10,000 kids in all 16 Maine counties (and 13 other states) participated in the Winter Games between the competitive and play-along tracks of the program, with a total of $30,000 awarded in cash and prizes.
The WinterKids silver medal for second place went to the Williams-Cone School in Topsham, together with a $3,000 cash prize. This was the school’s first year of WinterKids competition.
The bronze medal winner for third place is Rangeley Lakes Regional School in Rangeley, with a $1,500 cash prize. This was the Rangeley Lakes School’s fourth year in the Winter Games.
In announcing the winners Feb. 15 with a press release, WinterKids Executive Director Julie Mulkern said, “We are thrilled to offer a fun, active way to engage thousands of kids in outdoor learning throughout the winter.
“We are so proud of all the teachers and students who competed and worked together to stay healthy and active during the winter months, and will continue their healthy habits year-round,” she said.
Embracing outdoor learning helps to counteract the negative effects of excessive screen time — particularly for those in elementary school, the press release said. WinterKids provides resources for both teachers and parents to get their kids outside and active with curriculum resources, toolkits, incentives, and more. There is also a WinterKids Winter Games Facebook group for resource sharing, and downloadable activities on the organization’s website at winterkids.org.
WinterKids is a nonprofit organization that helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and outdoor winter activity that is fun. WinterKids’ major community sponsor is L.L.Bean. Supporting sponsors are Agren, CMP, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, WEX, and WMTW 8 and The CW. The WinterKids Winter Games are presented by Hannaford Snack Pals with support from Backyard Farms, Aroma Joe’s, Subway, MMG Insurance, Kittery Trading Post, and Stockhouse Sports Pub and Restaurant.
