Alternative spring breaks provide students with opportunity to blend fun and work
Katlyn Lee
Issue date: 3/10/10 Section: News
The temperature is rising, snow is melting, and professors are handing out the last few assignments and midterms for students.
For most Ripon College students these three things signal that it's time for a little fun, friends, family, or maybe a chance to make a little extra pocket cash. Spring break is nearly here.
For 22 students, however, spring break means a chance to take an alternative trip offered by the campus and to have a fun experience while helping others.
"Going on an alternative spring break is a great way to learn about other people and cultures, to help another community that may need immediate assistance, and learn about yourself as a person," says Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement Lindsay Blumer.
The first trip is taking nine students to spend approximately a week in Mt. Vernon, Ky., to help set up a summer camp for the blind. This camp is an opportunity for the blind and their families to enjoy time on 500 acres of donated land where they can camp, fish, hike, and enjoy numerous other activities the camp has to offer.
According to Blumer, students will be living in the camps' cabins while they take on a number of tasks.
Blumer says students will be, "…clearing trailers, building fences, cleaning the horse barns, painting cabins and constructing new cabin shelters and bonfire pits."
The second trip option allows seven students to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity in Pickens, S.C. Students will be working alongside other students from Purdue University as they help perform tasks such as painting, siding, and roofing homes.
Assistant Director of Residence Life Jessica Joanis says this trip is a good experience for students to develop their skills.
"Since you do not need any prior construction knowledge to work on a Habitat site, they could be learning a variety of tasks throughout the week," says Joanis.
The third and final trip option for this spring break is taking students to Syracuse, N.Y. to help with the Syracuse Rescue Mission. Here they will meet up and live with students from other colleges in Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania who will also be helping out.
For most Ripon College students these three things signal that it's time for a little fun, friends, family, or maybe a chance to make a little extra pocket cash. Spring break is nearly here.
For 22 students, however, spring break means a chance to take an alternative trip offered by the campus and to have a fun experience while helping others.
"Going on an alternative spring break is a great way to learn about other people and cultures, to help another community that may need immediate assistance, and learn about yourself as a person," says Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement Lindsay Blumer.
The first trip is taking nine students to spend approximately a week in Mt. Vernon, Ky., to help set up a summer camp for the blind. This camp is an opportunity for the blind and their families to enjoy time on 500 acres of donated land where they can camp, fish, hike, and enjoy numerous other activities the camp has to offer.
According to Blumer, students will be living in the camps' cabins while they take on a number of tasks.
Blumer says students will be, "…clearing trailers, building fences, cleaning the horse barns, painting cabins and constructing new cabin shelters and bonfire pits."
The second trip option allows seven students to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity in Pickens, S.C. Students will be working alongside other students from Purdue University as they help perform tasks such as painting, siding, and roofing homes.
Assistant Director of Residence Life Jessica Joanis says this trip is a good experience for students to develop their skills.
"Since you do not need any prior construction knowledge to work on a Habitat site, they could be learning a variety of tasks throughout the week," says Joanis.
The third and final trip option for this spring break is taking students to Syracuse, N.Y. to help with the Syracuse Rescue Mission. Here they will meet up and live with students from other colleges in Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania who will also be helping out.
Be the first to comment on this story