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Alternative spring break trips still available
The application deadline for the Alternative Spring Break Service trips sponsored by Volunteer Link has been extended.
Kathy Cooney, interim director of University Organizations, said the five trips spanning different geographic locations and service objectives had been advertised since late January and still have approximately 26 openings available to interested participants. Until recently, student leaders and staff advisors were also needed.
"We now have student leaders for each of the trips and we are working on solidifying staff leaders for each of the trips as well," Cooney said. "But there is still plenty of room for participants."
The New Orleans and Los Angeles trips, which will focus on helping the inner city community, still have space for six to eight participants.
"We already have one van going to New Orleans and we would like to send a second if the interest is there," Cooney said. "That is a site where we can send more people."
According to Cooney, the number of participants allowed to go on each trip is determined by the need of a particular site.
"The number of students we send determines the way the group is utilized," she said. "Sometimes more than 10 or 12 on a trip could be too many."
The Lame Deer, Mass. trip, like the Louisiana trip, could use about six to eight more participants. Jenny Modich, senior Elementary Education major from Keewatin, Minn., describes the Montana trip as "youth based."
"During the day we will run a print shop place," Modich said, "then from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., we will work with kids ages 5 to 8 in the Boys and Girls Club. It's a great way to make a difference in a child's life."
There are four more openings on both the Golden Pond, Ky. trip, which is more nature-oriented, and the Columbus, Ohio trip, which focuses on children with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
"For the Kentucky trip, the minimum number we could send is eight, so we have met that requirement, but we would like to add more to make it practical and having eight to 12 people on each trip is a good size," Cooney said.
The El Paso, Texas trip, which concentrates on issues of poverty and immigration, has room for one or two more participants.
Students who are still interested in any of the trips need only fill out an application form in the Student Organizations office in Atwood.
"You don't need any experience to participate," Cooney said. "But the trip costs $250 which goes towards food, travel and lodging."
According to Cooney, the trips are of value to any student, regardless of major.
"Any major from the business to sciences could benefit from these trips because they expose you to everything: nature, culture, politics. It's a real eye opener," Cooney said. "The experiences you gain on these trips can be adapted to any major. Writers may write about them, artists may draw from these experiences for inspiration in their art."
Modich, who was involved in the Louisiana trip last year and performed community services such as cleaning, painting and preparing food for the hungry, finds the trips to be an opportunity to give something of yourself and know you are making a difference.
"Think of everything you have now," Modich said. "Most of us have lived pretty good lives and we don't always realize other people don't have that.
"This is a good way to get involved and see what happens in other people's lives and make a difference for them."
Kristen J. Kubisiak can be reached at: [email protected]
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