Pre-Trip service with KEEN

For our pre-trip service we chose to volunteer with KEEN. KEEN stands for Kids Enjoy Exercise Now and the organization is a volunteer-led nonprofit. The program provides free programs for kids with disabilities and has a number of programs including sports, music, and swim. I was very excited for the pre-trip service with KEEN as I’ve been a volunteer with them in the past and I always have a great time. I was with the group that went to Springfield and it was my first time at that site so I liked meeting new athletes and seeing how they did their own thing. KEEN never fails to bring a smile to my face and I really loved working with my future trip-mates and seeing those who were new to the program work with the kids. Each volunteer is paired with an athlete who has a disability and works one-on-one in a physical activity of the athlete’s choice. Sometimes that means chasing them around and playing tag the whole time, sometimes it means basketball or kickball or any number of activities. We had two sessions and there were more volunteers than athletes so I joined Annelise and her athlete each session. Our first athlete loved to walk around so we wandered all over the gym, sometimes playing with a ball we found but mostly just cruising and seeing everyone. Our second athlete was a runner and we got to chase him all around. He had a lot of energy and it was so much fun to see him running around and smiling. I’m very excited for our trip and the chance to learn more about childhood health and hopefully work with more kids.

Much love,

Emily