Children with Diabetes is an Ohio-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and support to families living with type 1 diabetes. 

Children with Diabetes focuses on care today, so we are ready for a cure tomorrow. As an advocate and global resource, we provide support, education and inspiration to empower families and all people living with diabetes to enjoy healthy, enriched lives.

For questions about our Friends for Life scholarship program, please email scholarships@childrenwithdiabetes.com.

For questions about volunteer applications or any other submission through this platform, please email applications@childrenwithdiabetes.com.

Volunteers are crucial to the success of Friends for Life (FFL) conferences. CWD relies on a team of around 180 full-time volunteers to make FFL Orlando happen each year. We are always seeking enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to join our team of volunteers and fill a range of roles at each conference.

Please review the following information about volunteering at FFL Orlando and then complete the application form below.  

Volunteer roles 

There are a variety of volunteer roles at FFL Orlando. Be sure to read the job descriptions before applying so you are aware of the tasks and responsibilities that will be required.  

  • Youth program volunteers (full-time) work with children in the Kiddie Kove, Elementary, Tween, Teen, and Sports Central programs.
  • Conference support volunteers (full-time) support general conference needs as part of the Smiley Squad Team, Sunflower Team, Tech Team, Exhibit Hall Team, and FFL Support Team.
  • Part-time volunteers help as needed during the conference, generally in response to one-off requests sent by the CWD team to support activities such as banquet/event setup. These part-time opportunities do not require a volunteer application. Requests for volunteer help are emailed to registered attendees closer to the conference (and sometimes during the conference), so please keep an eye on your email if you are interested in helping part-time.

Full-time volunteer expectations 

Volunteers applying for full-time roles agree to be available during all assigned conference training and programming at FFL from Tuesday morning to Friday afternoon, with no exceptions. Our Team Leaders carefully staff their teams to ensure they can safely and effectively fulfill their roles, and they rely on having a complete team to meet that goal. Volunteers are required to complete approximately one hour of digital training before arriving at FFL Orlando.  All volunteers are also required to complete a background check (coordinated and paid for by CWD) before volunteering at FFL Orlando.

Compensation for volunteers 

All volunteer roles for FFL Orlando are unpaid positions. For full-time volunteers, CWD covers the individual conference registration fee, which includes all meals included as part of the conference. CWD also covers one hotel room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for the duration of the conference. Please keep in mind that CWD does not cover conference registration fees or additional hotel rooms for family members of volunteers. 

Volunteer selection process 

All volunteers must apply for their desired volunteer role(s) using the application form below. Please put some thought into your application and be sure to highlight your qualifications and why you are interested in volunteering with CWD! The deadline for completing an application to volunteer at the FFL Orlando 2025 conference is October 31, 2024.

After the application window has closed, CWD staff and Team Leads for each team will review the applications received and build their teams for the next year. All applicants will be notified of volunteer staffing decisions by email on a rolling basis in February 2025.

Children with Diabetes