Sunday, January 18, 2015

Fun Fest

Top of the hill. 
It's all downhill from here.
Yippeeee!
WinterKids is a program that's been around for quite a few years now. It introduces young kids, many new to Maine through the Refugee Resettlement Program in Portland, to the excitement of getting outdoors in winter, with a goal of developing a lifelong enjoyment of the season. Yesterday's Winter Festival at Payson Park was sort of a kick-off of the program. If numbers of people on the hill was a testament, sledding down the Payson hill, with a bunch of moguls built in, was certainly the most popular activity, but snowshoeing demonstrations and ice skating at the pond, where, yes, they even had a fire to keep your hands and feet warm were available as well. Throughout the winter, there are events scattered across the state for local communities to be exposed to the enjoyment of winter in Maine. Kids in grades 5-7 can even get a WinterKids Passport, which provides free or discounted equipment and opportunities at sponsored events across the state. 
I wish there was something like this for me, back when.
I might have taken skiing much more seriously.
Seriously? 

*Go Patriots! 

16 comments:

  1. Am I too old for this program? I could use a day like this :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. How fun! My grandkids would love this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like fun and a great activity. I did love sledding when I was a kid.

    ReplyDelete
  4. As you also said: I wish there was something like this when I was a kid!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I could use that to get over the winter blues! A nice ride down a hill might be just what i need.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like a wonderful program and one that could be emulated in many states. I mean, really, if you've got to live in such a climate, you might as well learn how to enjoy it, right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. When I was a boy scout we called it "winter survival". :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love skiing. Such a rush going down hill while carving turns. Yes, I've been going down hill for years.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved sledding when I was a kid. These days I like cross country skiing, but I've never developed an appreciation for downhill.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks life a fun day. I was hoping it was hoping Baltimore would win. Doesn't look like it now.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fun, and not video games. Great idea. In Utah as a kid we used to go inner tubing. Fun, but boy did we get cold. All that cotton. What were our mom's thinking?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks like a nice and cold day!
    Enjoy the season!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a fantastic program to get kids out and about and enjoying the snow! Looks super fun!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Patriots won as expected but I am really, really bummed about the Packers! In a very black mood today.

    ReplyDelete