WILTON — The spring-like weather Wednesday was perfect for building snow forts and tunnels, and for epic snowball fights, at the 21st Century Kids Stay-cation at Academy Hill School.

Courtney Austin, the program coordinator for 21st Century Kids, said this was their very first attempt, and so far, the weeklong day program was going great.

Students from Regional School Districts 58 in the Kingfield area, 73 in the Jay area and 9 in the Farmington area were given the opportunity for a safe, fun place to spend their school vacations.

Alexandria Norton, 7, of Wilton, said the camp was “really fun.”

“We made snow forts, and they even had glitter balls, too,” she said.

The snow forts were quite detailed, with tunnels and archways, and designed by Cole and Levi Richards, 10 and 8, respectively, of Jay. The boys say the building of the fort was a team effort.

“We played a game where we stomped down on the snow to get it really sticky and perfect for snowballs, and built a thick wall so no one could get in,” Cole Richards said.

The heavily fortified fort was the favorite activity for many, but there were plenty of other fun things.

“My favorite activity is snack, because I got to eat my Rice Krispie treat,” said Tabby Heseltine, 7, of Chesterville.

For Mason Kellett, 7, of Farmington, the favorite was free time in the gym, because he could “do whatever (he) wanted to do.”

Jermain Whittier, 7, of Wilton, liked having so many of his friends there to play in the snow.

Activities on Wednesday also included relay races, snowshoeing and “lots of physical activity,” said 21st Century staffer Monicah Paquette.

In the afternoon, the kids voted to watch the “Captain Underpants” movie.

Austin said the event was a fundraiser for the program. The cost per day with food is $30, and without food, $25. Per week, the cost is $135 with food and $115 without.

Thee group hopes to hold another stay-cation during April break.

21st Century Kids is a national program that aims “to bring valuable science, technology, engineering and math products and services to elementary education, while providing training and curriculum support for educators to meet the needs of today’s students,” according to its mission statement.

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From left, Jaylin Fortin, 6, of Jay, William Roy, 8, of New Vineyard and Alexandar Mason, 9, of Winthrop, play in a custom-built snow fort Wednesday during the 21st Century Kids Stay-cation at Academy Hill School in Wilton. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)

From left, Alexandria Norton, 6, of Wilton, Jayden Whittier, 7, of Wilton, Levi Richards, 8, of Jay, Kenzie Richards, 10, of Jay, Scout Simpson, 7, of Farmington, Cole Richards, 10, of Jay, and Hunter Stanley, 7, of Wilton, pose in front of their snow fort Wednesday during the 21st Century Kids Stay-cation at Academy Hill School in Wilton. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)