Sideline Stories: Courtney Holub, Executive Director, WinterKids

Hi there~

I’m Courtney Holub, and if you had told 14-year-old me that I’d one day be leading a nonprofit helping thousands of Maine kids embrace winter, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you.

At that age, I was painfully shy. During my first job at a local diner, I could barely squeak out a “hello.” Yes, I spent every winter Friday on the ski bus going to Pats Peak, and yes, I wanted to be an art teacher but getting to bring these two together, fostering creativity and confidence through outdoor play, feels like the most natural (and joyful) full-circle moment.

Hospitality ended up being more than a job; it’s where I found my voice. The restaurant owner saw potential in me and had me walking laps around the dining room asking, “Would you like more coffee?” Over and over, and over again. I was mortified, but it worked. I learned to speak up, connect, and serve with heart. That lesson has guided me through every twist and turn since.

I’ve helped adults with disabilities build careers in the arts. I’ve led hunger relief efforts at Good Shepherd Food Bank. I’ve coached skiing, volunteered, served on boards, taught, and fundraised- all fueled by a deep belief that service, inclusion, and human connection change lives.

I get to live that belief every day at WinterKids.

Our work is about so much more than snow. It’s about access, confidence, joy, and making sure every Maine child has the chance to play outside, especially in the long winter months. Through the Passport, Winter Games, and other programs, we are helping kids build healthy habits, connect with their communities, and fall in love with Maine’s outdoors.

I live in Maine because I love it here. The trails, the briny air, the sense of community, the way winter invites us to be bold and playful. While I’m “from away,” my kids are Mainers, and I’m proud to help raise the next generation of Mainers who know how to be outside in all weather, take care of one another, and find their voice in the cold.

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Join WinterKids as they celebrate 25 years of joyful outdoor learning and play!