Disney Junior’s Jake and Sophia to kick off tour that focuses on doing good

Recently, I wrote about the Disney Dreamer and Doer awards, which have served for more than 30 years to inspire elementary-, middle- and high-school students in Central Florida to become involved with their communities in positive ways. Now, Disney is introducing that message of service to even younger students.

Beginning next month, Disney Junior’s “Pirate and Princess: Power of Doing Good” tour kicks off in select large cities throughout the United States. Designed for kids ages 2 to 7 and their families, the tour focuses on how each child can make a difference in the world by helping others and caring for nature and animals.

“Through the power of our stories and characters, we can help the youngest of children imagine a better world and reflect on what they can do to help others within their own communities,” said Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, in a press release. “Our ‘Pirate and Princess: Power of Doing Good’ summer tour will do exactly that by engaging kids and parents in activities that not only highlight community service but also empower them to take these learnings and continue the work amongst their friends, families and neighbors.”

Disney Junior’s “Pirate and Princess: Power of Doing Good” events are free, but tickets are required. They are available now at https://disneyjunior.thundertix.com.

The stars of the tour are Sophia, the princess in “Sofia the First,” and Jake from “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” The tour is sponsored by Disney Junior, ASPCA, Youth Service America (YSA), National Wildlife Federation and First Book, each of which hosts an activity related to the popular princess and pirate. Every tour stop will include opportunities to create a storybook at “First Book’s Jake and Sofia’s Storytelling Maze,” share acts of kindness or service at home or school in “YSA’s Enchancia Castle,” participate in the “ASPCA’s Sofia’s Animal Friends” activities, engage in interactive lessons of environmental conservation in the “National Wildlife Federation’s Jake’s Beach Treasures” and pledge continued service at the “Forever Tree.” Each “Pirate and Princess: Power of Doing Good” event will culminate with a musical celebration, hosted by Radio Disney, featuring special live appearances by Jake and Sofia.

Is the tour coming to a city near you? Here’s the schedule:

July 17 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in Philadelphia at the Please Touch Museum
July 21 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in Washington, D.C., at The Yards Park
July 25 (8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in New York City at Riverbank State Park
July 30 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in Chicago (Joliet, IL) at Joliet Memorial Stadium
August 4 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in Houston (Sugar Land, TX) at Oyster Creek Park
August 11 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in the San Francisco Bay Area (Hayward, CA) at Kennedy Park
August 15 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and August 16 (11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) in Los Angeles (Pasadena, CA) at Kidspace Children’s Museum

Parents can visit DisneyJunior.com/powerofdoinggood to download activities inspired by the tour and get educational materials, including “Get Out & Get Moving” nature guide and YSA’s “Families in Action” kit. Families are then encouraged to make a pledge of service within their community and post about it on Twitter and Facebook throughout the summer using the hashtag #PowerOfDoingGood.

Disney Junior’s “Pirate and Princess: Power of Doing Good” tour is part of Disney’s Summer of Service. The 2014 Service of Summer Awards, in collaboration with Disney Friends for Change, is an initiative that inspires kids and their families to make a lasting, positive change by helping people, communities, and the planet. The effort even awards top participants. Winners receive a $1,000 award to assist them in continuing their good work. To learn how you can apply for a Summer of Service award visit www.YSA.org/beinspired.

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