Escaping to the shore has long been a rite of passage for anyone seeking restoration and relaxation, but families dealing with the cruelties of childhood cancer don’t often get the chance to step away from treatments—or fund a vacation.

Enter Sandcastle Kids. Since its inception, this Miramar Beach-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit has made it their mission to offer families battling childhood cancer the opportunity to reconnect and relax on the peaceful beaches of Destin and South Walton with an all-expenses-paid, weeklong vacation.

“We wanted to share the beautiful place that we get to call home with those going through the unimaginable and create a week for them to be together and create beautiful memories,” founder Shelley Joiner says on their website.

Previously an RN in the Newborn Nursery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Joiner founded the nonprofit after seeing the struggles of friends and acquaintances experiencing childhood cancer diagnoses. In the past decade, they’ve gifted vacations to 160 families, usually hosting 15 to 20 families each year.

From dolphin cruises that turn into impromptu karaoke parties and helicopter tours over the Gulf to delicious meals at the locally beloved Pazzo Italiano, the Sandcastle Kids’ team coordinates with sponsors and donors to ensure families enjoy a cost-free experience filled with magical, memorable moments away from the daily stress of long-term treatment.

“The overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and comfort these trips bring to these families and seeing the smiles stretch across their faces... that's what it's all about.”

“[Families] always comment on the lasting memories and what a gift these beach days are for their family and to see their child just get to be a kid,” explains Allie Caudill, a board member of Sandcastle Kids. “The overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and comfort these trips bring to these families and seeing the smiles stretch across their faces... that's what it's all about.”

Many of the families Sandcastle Kids hosts find that juggling the time and financial commitments of patient care means time spent apart—whether it’s staying with family, spending nights at the hospital, or even arranging separate living quarters so they can be near treatment centers. Through the generosity of their homeowners, 360 Blue has been able to partner with the nonprofit and provide luxurious, private accommodations that bring the whole family together for a week of reconnection in peace—while enjoying pools and other amenities!

“These families face extraordinary emotional, mental, and financial strain. By offering them time away from hospitals and treatment schedules, we help create space for rest, connection, and healing,” says Emily Fieser, director of culture and development at 360 Blue. “We’re honored to continue our partnership with Sandcastle Kids and deeply grateful to our homeowners for helping create moments of joy, laughter, and lasting memories for these deserving families.”

With the many challenges children and families are already going through with their diagnosis and treatment plans, Sandcastle Kids makes it a key part of their program to be as straightforward and non-invasive as possible. They collaborate with a network of social workers who recommend families. The board then reviews the information, and after approval, Sandcastle Kids calls the family to set a date. When the family arrives, the Sandcastle Kids team hands over the keys, letting the family enjoy their stay without interference.

Though the program began with vacations, Sandcastle Kids has continued to grow its efforts and seek out new opportunities to support families. Recently, they’ve developed local relationships with Studer Family Children's Hospital and Nemours Children's Health in Pensacola.

The nonprofit has provided iPads in the outpatient clinic and expanded the program to the inpatient children this year. They also host monthly lunches for clinic families, delivered directly to the hospital, and provide Christmas gifts to the children each year. Next holiday season, they hope to bring in Santa to make the experience even more unforgettable!

If you’re interested in donating or learning more about Sandcastle Kids, you can visit their website, thesandcastlekids.com.