Spring… rebirth, renewal, and rejuvenation, no doubt about it, this winter was arduous for us in the northeast, and as the snow slowly recedes it reveals cracks, cracks, and hidden damage underneath the weight of the season. It’s time for repairs, restoration, and rebuilding, and there’s no better place to begin that process than Give Kids The World Village. From March 14 to 21, 2015, I will work side-by-side with 13 college students from upstate New York to bring smiles to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. After similar trips to Give Kids The World the past five years, I know our time in the Village will do as much (or more) to revive my spirit as anything I might give to the children (or my students). Continue reading for thoughts and photos over the course of the week, and how you can help us meet a challenge issued by Give Kids The World. For the most up-to-the-minute updates on our Give Kids The World alternative break trip be sure to follow along on twitter and facebook as well.
Give Kids The World (GKTW) is the whimsical, non-profit resort in Kissimmee, Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses stay with their families when they have a wish to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or anything related to Central Florida. Founded in 1986 by Holocaust survivor Henri Landwirth, GKTW allows families to escape for one week on a restorative vacation. Watch the video below to hear the story of GKTW directly from Henri himself.
During our Give Kids The World alternative break week my college students and I will serve food; trick-or-treat with the kids; staff the carousel, pool and train; engage in tea, pirate, and princess parties; and more. This year, we are one of 32 other teams heading to the Village, and we’re all working to give just a little more. GKTW issued a challenge to each school to raise $500 for the Village, and we accept their challenge. If you believe in the mission of the Village, and are inspired by the work they do, please follow the link to donate to support SUNY Geneseo in the GKTW Alternative Spring Break Challenge.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Gotta put the logistical details of the trip in place, grocery shopping, setting up the condos, and runs to the airport.
Picking up the 2015 SUNY Geneseo @GKTWVillage alternative break crew at the airport. Let #ASBgktw2015 begin! pic.twitter.com/s9jpzRDOfh
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 14, 2015
In case you ever wondered what 13 college students eat during alternative break at @GKTWVillage #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/1DtxwNL1pu — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 14, 2015
And where do you take a group of 13 hungry college students, who just arrived in Florida, and want to fill up fast? Why, Waffle House, of course, a southern tradition, breakfast for dinner!
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Our first volunteer shift started at 7:00 am, and we were checked in to Give Kids The World by one of my former students who went on the trip in 2012. She now works full-time for the Village. What a great way to kick off the 2015 Alternative Break!
Good morning from @GKTWVillage! My job, delivering breakfast and smiles. First family I meet is from Syracuse, NY! pic.twitter.com/Rbn1X7xp5h
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 15, 2015
Sunday is Candyland day at @GKTWVillage! Every family gets a GKTW themed board and life-size Candyland game tonight. pic.twitter.com/26VscPog8V — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 15, 2015
There was a birthday girl child today at @GKTWVillage. First time in 6 years I’ve seen a GKTW birthday. #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/qiMv4B1u8j
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 15, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Before we headed to the Village, we spent the morning exploring some of the more “wild” aspects of the Florida area with a Wild Florida Airboat ride of Cypress Lake.
Waking up on the wild side in @Kissimmee with a #WildFlorida Airboat ride. Let see some gators! #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/U6hc3ARPjG — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 16, 2015
Gators, gators, everywhere at @Kissimmee‘s #WildFlorida - Mamas, Papas, and babies. Great tour! #spon pic.twitter.com/gPU4dHchx6
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 16, 2015
Afterwards, it was back to Give Kids The World for a full tour and history followed by Mayor Clayton’s Hare-Raising Halloween Party.
Getting a tour & learning the history of @GKTWVillage before our volunteer shift at the #Halloween party #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/kUTZ9zZb9Y — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 16, 2015
Only at @GKTWVillage does a tour and volunteer shift include a Magical Flight ride #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/r28JMpq9jq
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 16, 2015
Tonight’s Halloween at @GKTWVillage, and we’re ready for a party! #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/YsS9wq3iqI — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 16, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We celebrated by serving breakfast to families in the Gingerbread House.
Good morning again from @GKTWVillage! Time to serve breakfast to some wonderful families! #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/NGWbzObRz6
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 17, 2015
Incredibly rare Twinkle Hope appearance today at @GKTWVillage #MyLittlePony #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/UbuEKX27jd — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 17, 2015
Following breakfast, we were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour at SeaWorld where the students and I learned a little more about their rescue and rehabilitation work with sea turtles and manatees.
Special behind the scenes tour at @SeaWorld learning about their rescue and rehab programs #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/9HjkKoA6H9
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 17, 2015
In the evening, our friend Bob Jackson (i.e., Walt Disney World’s Yehaa Bob) met us back in the Gingerbread House to entertain the families once again.
We got @YehaaBob in da’ house! @GKTWVillage‘s Gingerbread House that is! #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/eBDMkVJLhJ — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 17, 2015
When Mayor Clayton asks to take a photo with your group at @GKTWVillage, of course the answer is yes! #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/lZ9anyIQ73
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 18, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Our day off from volunteering in the Village to play in the Orlando theme parks - 11 of us went to Universal Orlando and the other 3 headed to the Magic Kingdom.
Even on spring break my college students got up early and went to school. @UniversalORL #Hogwarts pic.twitter.com/U6ClMg1NCe — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 18, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
My students stayed in the theme park from open to close, but had no trouble making it to our 7 am shift at Give Kids The World.
Some special friends from @WaltDisneyWorld came to visit us (well the families) at @GKTWVillage today. #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/v6yldWLPi8
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 19, 2015
When at @GKTWVillage, my other car’s a train… J.J.’s Express at Amberville #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/4PZM2BlxkL — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 19, 2015
In the evening, we celebrated our spring break with a special Spirit of Aloha Luau dinner at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
A dinner to celebrate our work at #GKTW for the week at #Disney‘s Spirit of Aloha Luau #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/DRtm9TBD1p
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 20, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
A particularly meaningful aspect of this trip for me was seeing all the reminders of past groups I’ve led to the Village. Heidi, from the 2012 trip, now works full-time in the Village. Two students from 2013 now live in Orlando, and stopped by to join us on our shifts. And our pavers in the Avenue of Angers serve as permanent markers of our work with the families.
Back at @GKTWVillage and getting reminders of past break trips. #AvenueOfAngels #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/0uIvRQdibh — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 20, 2015
In the afternoon, we helped grill and serve hotdogs & hamburgers at the volunteer appreciation lunch. The quote on the table says, “we must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” It seemed quite appropriate for our trip.
My students helping out at the @GKTWVillage Volunteer appreciation lunch #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/djd0R5lWFN
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 20, 2015
Our evening was filled with Pirates, Princesses, and a special tea party hosted by Miss Merry.
Ms. Merry’s tea party at @GKTWVillage tonight includes dancers from the ballet school #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/AkTTPduyc0 — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 20, 2015
Watch for Pirates & Princess tonight at @GKTWVillage too! #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/2BDWmYRvxM
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 20, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
And before we knew it, our final shift in the Village was upon us.
Final volunteer shift for me this spring at @GKTWVillage is horse and pony rides at Keaton’s Korral #ASBgktw2015 pic.twitter.com/zwR2eB9dTV — Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 21, 2015
We may leave the warmth of Orlando behind, but we will always keep the warmth of Give Kids The World in our heart.
Bye-bye @GKTWVillage for another year. Thanks for an incredible week! #ASBgktw2015 has ended. pic.twitter.com/VOiTXroQsM
— Dad/Dave Parfitt (@AdventuresByDad) March 21, 2015
It is my sincere hope that sharing our Give Kids The World alternative break experience may inspire others to learn more about the Village or get involved. We are so privileged to easily travel to Florida for our spring break trip, and look forward to sharing some happiness with a group of special families and friends. If you’d like to see more pictures of our alternative spring break trip to GKTW, check out our gallery below. Note: the photo gallery requires Flash Player,click here to view all the photos if your device is not Flash equipped.
For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.
Hope you are all having a great time! THis is such a wonderful thing you are doing and it means the world to so many families!!! Enjoy every minute!!!
Thank you Tania, it’s one of those occasions where I get much more our of it than I give.
Hey Dave,
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Miami and I am trying to get in contact with Give Kids the World Village in order to schedule an Alternative Breaks trip to their site. Unfortunately, the methods that I am using to contact them (through their website “contact us” page and email), are not receiving any response. Do you have the contact information of the person with whom you worked in order to set up the trip so that I could contact him/her to do the same for our group? Thanks a bunch!
Hi Reid, thanks for your message. I’m going to send you a separate e-mail for this. Dave