WINTERPORT — The 6th annual WinterKids Winter Games wrapped up last week with 16 schools competing statewide to win cash prizes for their schools. The Winter Games is a 4-week series of challenges in outdoor physical activity, nutrition, family engagement and winter carnival.

This year’s theme was “My Wild Winter.” Each competitive 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, earning $30K in cash and prizes.

2023 WINNERS

GOLD MEDAL – Leroy H. Smith School, Winterport, Waldo County - $5,000 (4th year in the Winter Games)            

SILVER MEDAL – Williams – Cone School, Topsham, Sagadahoc County - $3,000 (1st year in the Winter Games)

BRONZE MEDAL – Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Rangeley, Franklin County - $1,500 (4th year in the Winter Games)

“We are thrilled to offer a fun, active way to engage thousands of kids in outdoor learning throughout the winter,” says Julie Mulkern, WinterKids Executive Director, in a news release. “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.”

Embracing outdoor learning helps to counteract the negative effects of excessive screen time – particularly for those in elementary school. 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 www.winterkids.org.

WinterKids is the nonprofit organization that helps children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity. The organization delivers innovative outdoor programs for families, schools, and communities.

WinterKids’ Major Community Sponsor is L.L.Bean.  WinterKids’ 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. Learn more at WinterKids.org.

WinterKids Winter Games 2023  Final Leaderboard

1. LEROY H. SMITH SCHOOL                                          WINTERPORT WALDO
2. WILLIAMS-CONE SCHOOL                                         TOPSHAM SAGADAHOC
3. RANGELEY LAKES REGIONAL SCHOOL                 RANGELEY FRANKLIN
4. GILBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                             AUGUSTA KENNEBEC
5. PERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                                 PERRY WASHINGTON
6. CHERRYFIELD ELEMETNARY SCHOOL                 CHERRYFIELD WASHINGTON
7. EAST RANGE II SCHOOL                                            TOPSFIELD WASHINGTON
8. WOODLAND CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL                  WOODLAND AROOSTOOK
9. HELEN THOMPSON SCHOOL                                     W. GARDINER KENNEBEC
10. HARRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                       HARRISON CUMBERLAND
11. AGNES GRAY SCHOOL                                              W. PARIS OXFORD
12. MILO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                                 MILO PISCATAQUIS
13. MOSCOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                         MOSCOW SOMERSET
14. CHEBEAGUE ISLAND SCHOOL                               CHEBEAGUE IS. CUMBERLAND
15. ELLA P. BURR SCHOOL                                             LINCOLN PENOBSCOT
16. CHARLES M. SUMNER LEARNING CAMPUS       SULLIVAN HANCOCK