Though spring break is months away, many students have already begun planning vacations. Popular spots such as Cancun and Acapulco, Mexico, where the flow of alcohol is endless, offer students the traditional college spring break experience. For some students, however, the typical trip has little appeal.
Alternative Spring Break provides an opportunity for students to enjoy a different kind of break, one that revolves around service and is substance-free.
“Alternative breaks provide an opportunity to students to get out of Columbus and see what is going on throughout the country and the world,” said Rosie Holmes, a graduate administrative associate at the Ohio Union and an adviser for Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (SERV).
The SERV student committee works year-round to plan service-based trips for winter, summer and spring break. To attend, students are required to sign a waiver agreeing to stay substance-free.
“For people who typically drink, [Alternative Spring Break] is a nice break. They’re put in situations that are not based around substances and get to do these wonderful service activities with a diverse group,” said Chelsey Baughard, a fourth-year in nursing and a member of the ASB planning committee. “For people who don’t drink, the breaks provide a safe haven … a peer-pressure-free place for them to go,” Baughard said.
This year, there will be 20 different trip locations offered for spring break. Seven students, two student leaders and a faculty adviser are allowed to attend each trip. Even with 20 locations, space is limited and students must apply to be selected for a trip.
“We receive a lot more applicants than we could ever place,” Holmes said. “Throughout the year we receive well over double the amount of applicants we can actually place on the trips.”
Some of the destinations for ASB this year include Denver, where students will work at a men’s rehabilitation house; Atlanta, where service will focus on helping refugee women and children; and an international trip to Belize.
In addition to service, students will get to experience the culture and sights of their trip’s destination.
“At each site students are free to do whatever they want when they’re not doing service, keeping in the mind the trips are substance-free,” Holmes said. “Some trips go to Broadway shows, the beach, local attractions. … There is a lot of free time.”
Alternative Spring Break also aims to encourage service involvement after the trip.
“After my freshman year trip I got really involved with Habitat for Humanity and other activities due to my experience,” Baughard said. “It is our hope that [the students] will want to continue doing service in their community when they get back.”
More information and applications for ASB can be found online at www.ohiounion.osu.edu/activityfee/asb.asp.
Kristin Schmotzer can be reached at [email protected].
