Child Life Program in Orlando

Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida welcomes visitors and volunteers from our community to participate in our Child Life activities.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers help the Child Life Program in so many ways.

Find Out How to Become a Hospital Volunteer

Special Event Visitors

All special guests and visitors must apply and be approved prior to visiting Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. To provide a positive experience for special visitors, patients, and families at the hospital, all visitors must review and agree to these guidelines and submit the below application.

Guidelines for Special Event Visitors

• All special visits must be prearranged at least 2 weeks before the visit date. All guests and visitors must fill out the special visit application and be notified of approval before they arrive at the hospital.
• All individuals must check in at Security and receive an identification badge and must be accompanied by a Nemours Children’s Hospital Child Life staff member while in the hospital.
• The number of guests and visitors will be limited to 5 people and all participants must be 18+ years of age and out of high school.
• Photos and recordings of patients and families are not permitted.
• During winter months, when there is increased concern for infection control, visits will be limited.
• Any toys, prizes or gifts that will be donated or handed out to patients and families MUST be prearranged and approved prior to your event.
• All group members will respect patient confidentiality. Information gained during the visits must NOT be discussed or shared outside the hospital.
• All group members will follow directions of hospital staff and Child Life team.
• Many of our patients are extremely susceptible to infection and must be protected from exposure. Please do not visit if you are sick. You must be free of any illness or symptoms for at least 48 hours.
• We have patients representing a wide variety of religious beliefs. No religious materials may be given out or taught.
• Donations for the patients are very much appreciated. Donations are used throughout the year as birthday presents and daily use in the playroom. Please visit our "Donations" tab above to review our donation guidelines and wish lists if you wish to make a general donation unrelated to your event.

Special Event Planning Guide

Scheduling

• Patient events are scheduled from 11 to noon, 1-2 p.m., and 2-3 p.m. Monday–Friday. The following time slots are not available due to regularly scheduled activities
  • Third Thursday of the month in the afternoon
  • Fourth Tuesday of the month
  • Fourth Thursday of the month

Examples of Events

• Group craft activity
• Board game play
• Small group bedside performances (musical or dance)

To note: Your group is responsible for providing all activity supplies, your activities must be preapproved, and your group must consist of 5 people or less all 18 years of age or older. When planning for a craft activity, plan for all age patients and plan supplies for 15–20 children. This allows projects to be delivered to patients who are unable to leave their rooms.

Apply to be a Special Event Visitor

Due to the volume of requests received, we cannot accommodate all requests. Special guests must apply using the form below at least 4 weeks before your proposed event for your application to be considered. Once your application has been received, please allow up to 2 weeks for a response from our Child Life Department on whether or not your event has been approved. Special event visitors that arrive at the hospital without prior approval will be turned away.

Thank you for thinking of our patients and families at Nemours as a location to donate to. 

All donations must be brand new and in its original packaging. We are unable to accept any used or handmade items. 

Year-Round Donations

To inquire about donating or to schedule your donation, please email nchflprograms@nemours.org. Donations can be scheduled Monday-Friday,  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

For the safety of our patients, all donations with used items or without a scheduled appointment will be turned away. 

Please check out our Amazon registry to purchase an item and send it in directly to the hospital for a patient to start enjoying today.

Holiday Donation Season

For information on our holiday donation season, please visit our Holiday Toy Drive page to learn how to donate monetary donations, in-kind donations, FAQ's and how to schedule your toy drive donation.

A Child Life specialist is a member of the health care team who is a graduate of a bachelor’s or master’s program in education, human growth and development, psychology, or counseling, and certified through the Association of Child Life professionals (ACLP). We’re equipped to handle a child’s unique way of dealing with a traumatic experience like an illness or injury — and we can help you feel confident doing the same with your child.

We are not accepting practicum applications for Summer 2025 and will update the website to reflect when we are taking students again.

Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida offers a comprehensive Child Life internship program open to college-affiliated students during the fall and spring semesters. We follow the deadline schedule recommended by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) and only accept the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application. Please review the attachments below for application requirements and frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions please contact Jenna Read.

Internship Readiness Common Application Guide

Internship Application Packet

Practicum Program

Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida also offers opportunities for child life practicums to college-affiliated students during the summer semester. The practicum program follows the same internship deadline schedule recommended by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

Practicum Application Packet

Internship and Practicum Frequently Asked Questions