Snow Skills

Before he became an Olympic Champion, Seth Wescott has been a spokesperson for the Winterkids program; www.Winterkids.org. Winterkids is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting lifelong habits of health, education, and fitness in children, specifically during the winter months. Thanks in part to changes in lifestyles, children have mirrored adults in becoming more sedentary with a resulting increase in childhood diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related afflictions. The cold weather that arrives with winter can make it even more difficult to keep children active in the face of competition from video games and snacking. With Seth’s help as an awesome role model, Winterkids has been promoting several programs that encourage kids to get off the couch, get outside, and have fun in the outdoors!

One of the most visible programs of Winterkids is the Passport program whereby fifth, sixth, and seventh grade kids can ski, snowboard, skate, and cross country ski at 59 facilities in the State of Maine for FREE. The Passport is a physical passport book issued for each child and includes vouchers both for the child and family members for access passes, gear rentals, and other deals and discounts. The Passport helps make winter recreation fun more accessible, affordable, and convenient. If you have a child in those grades, you can still apply for a Passport for the 2005-2006 season on-line with a $20 processing fee.

There’s just no excuse not to get outside and enjoy winter! Check out www.Winterkids.org and be a Winterkid!