Office of Student Life
Leadership and Community Engagement

Florida: Give Kids the World

Serving alongside children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to inspire hope and create priceless memories 

**Please note that this trip is currently tentative based on availability from Give Kids the World, but our status and ability to serve with this organization will be confirmed by the application deadline**

Community Partner: Give Kids the World 

Trip Dates: March March 14-21, 2026

Location: Kissimmee, Florida 

Number of Participants: 10 

Price: $500 

Apply for a Buck-I-SERV Spring 2026 trip today! 

Included in participant fee: 

  • All logistical and travel expenses: Roundtrip transportation (round trip flight to Orlando, Florida), rental vehicles for local transportation, (damage/insurance coverage included), gas for rental vehicles, parking for rental vehicles, toll fees incurred during travel and overnight lodging for entire week (exact location TBD). 
  • Project/service fees OR donation to community partner for facilitating week of service/alternative break experience.
  • Buck-I-SERV supplies/swag: Individual items (t-shirts, water bottles, and pens for each group member) and group items (first aid kit, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, deck of playing cards, and thank you card for community partner).
  • Buck-I-SERV Events and Training: Spring Kick-Off and Welcome Back events with catering and pre-trip education and training. 
  • Some meals and group activities: The group will be provided a small budget to use for group meals and group activities. Participants should plan to bring money for out of pocket expenses. 

Travel and Housing: 

  • Participants will travel to and from Orlando, Florida via roundtrip flight. 
  • Upon arrival in Orlando, the group will pick up rental vehicles to use for transportation throughout the week. 
  • Housing for the trip is currently TBD. Expect accommodations to either be a local volunteer/retreat housing site or Airbnb in Kissimmee. 

    • Please note that service housing provides a unique opportunity to build community and embrace simplicity, often staying in welcoming spaces like religious buildings or community centers. While accommodations may be rustic—such as sleeping on cots or air mattresses, making use of community kitchens and showers, and limited hot water for showers—they foster meaningful connections and a deeper focus on service and reflection.

  • A packing list will be provided to participants and discussed during pre-trip meetings leading up to departure. 

What to expect: 

  • Give Kids the World is a 79- acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides weeklong cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Families are provided fully furnished villas, transportation, tickets to theme parks, meals, daily entertainment, and much more. 
  • Participants will inspire hope and create priceless memories through roles as ride attendants, pizza/ice cream servers, cart drivers, craft leaders, dress up cast members and/or assisting the staff with their day-to-day needs. 
  • Volunteer shift times vary from early morning to late evening. The group may be separated into smaller groups depending on the service needed.