OUR MEMORIES

from Hilton Footprints 2023

OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

• Sandcastle Kids is a South Walton-based nonprofi t organization, supporting families and children walking through childhood cancer. These children and families undergo severe mental, emotional and fi scal stress each day. Our primary program provides these families with an allexpenses-paid vacation to the local area. We strive to provide them a week away from doctors and hospitals in hopes that these children and their families are able to experience rest, relaxation, rejuvenation and healing on our beautiful beaches.

The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa began their partnership with Sandcastle Kids in 2017 and has become a vital member of our team, including creating a child-specifi c welcome package for each and every one of the approximately 100 children we have served during the past fi ve years. It is such a gift to watch the child’s face light up as they see the items handpicked specifi cally for them by Hilton Sandestin Beach staff, based on a “favorites” list provided to us by their family.

The generosity of Hilton Sandestin Beach in providing these welcome baskets to our organization allows Sandcastle Kids to allocate additional financial resources to supporting local children walking through cancer and to donate annually to childhood cancer research being performed locally and regionally. We are incredibly grateful to Hilton Sandestin Beach and the role they have played in our mission thus far, and we hope to continue our partnership in the years to come as we serve these families together.

Shelley Joiner Sandcastle Kids

which recently received an additional 2,500-square-foot expansion. Rentable pool cabanas have been upgraded to a new, VIP lounge experience that grants guests access to comfy couch seating, private storage space and a personal fridge.

For Cryar, both the beach and pool deck are playgrounds for team-building activities her team organizes for family reunions, wedding parties and organizations. Past bashes have included beach olympics — complete with rope barrier courses, giant ring tosses, water balloon ﬁghts and brain-busting trivia — beach and pool volleyball and an “Amazing Race”-style scavenger hunt spanning the resort’s property.

“We don’t like to leave anyone out,” added Cryar. “We’ve done a poolside “Jaws” movie night for teens, where we used lights to turn the water red. We also organize crafts, scavenger hunts and games for the little ones, should your group wish to enjoy a nice night out without the kids at our on-site steakhouse, Seagar’s.”

Recreation staff invite all guests to join in on holiday celebrations. Last Earth Day, Howell and Cryar agree, was one for the books.

Guests enjoyed watching Dan in the Sand, a local sand sculptor, craft a beautiful sea turtle hugging the earth out of sand. Attendants also participated in a beach clean-up initiative, a sandcastle building contest and learned from South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers about the nesting habits and conservation efforts of native sea turtles.

“We’re able to do all of this thanks to the creativity and care of our team,” added Howell. “We have a strong core group that has been with us for years, and making our guests happy proves you can have fun while working a job!”

TIFFANY’S TIPS

◆ Prior to your arrival, the best way to reach the recreation department is by contacting info@hiltonsandestinbeach.com.

◆ To ensure proper permitting, beach bonﬁres should be booked at least a week in advance.

◆ The Pool Hut offers complimentary towels and will inﬂate your kids’ ﬂoaties and pool toys, free of charge.

◆ Dial (850) 267-9500 to speak to our beach services team, or visit HiltonSandestin.ipoolside.com to reserve your beach chairs online.

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Enjoy the beautiful scenery Destin, Florida has to offer with a group or in a romatic setting. We have a variety of charter types so you can be sure to choose the one that’s right for you!