Exchange Day is an annual event across the Exchange Visitor community that brings participants together to celebrate cultural exchange and engage in volunteering to positively impact the local community that has hosted them for a summer!

This year, we hosted Exchange Day at Kelly Park, a natural free-flowing spring near Orlando, Florida. We structured our event around Exchange Day’s motto “Eat. Play. Give.”.

EAT To best avoid the sizzling Orlando heat, we started our event in the morning, which led to us serving an assortment of delicious breakfast treats. From croissants to fruits to donuts, we were fully fueled for a day of fun in the sun.

PLAY The highlight of the event was sparkling spring surrounded by lush greenery where the participants could swim in the 68 degree water. On land, we arrange field day games that are popular in American childhoods, such as potato sack race, spoon-and-egg race, and three-legged race. The winners won prizes to local Orlando eateries such as VooDoo Donuts, Maple Street Biscuit Company, and Ice & Bites Café.

GIVE To give back, every participant brought two items to the event to donate to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, which provides crucial programs and services to an average of 500 homeless men, women, and children each day. Participants donated items such as baby goods, cleaning products, and personal hygiene products.