By Rachel Keeley, senior
When students think of Spring Break, visions of partying, relaxation and good times may come to mind. For some students, however, this week of freedom may inspire giving to others.
For these students, Friends University offers a couple of options.
Following the leadership of the “Alternative Spring Break” organization, Brian Bollinger, director of Community and Residential Development, will take six students to Rock Cleft in Colorado Springs March 14-18. This is the third year for this trip, and the past two years students visited San Francisco. Students and chaperones will serve at various soup kitchens in Colorado, with a free day spent skiing. Although the skiing day is an exciting part of the week, Bollinger said it is not the focus.
“Instead of partying, this will give students an opportunity to serve. It’s a group of students not looking for the typical ‘church group’ experience. They’re looking for a time to serve, cultural experience and bond with students they may not normally socialize a lot with,” said Bollinger.
To participate on this trip, students had to apply with two letters of reference and some essays, be approved and complete a reading component. Mandatory meetings were also criteria students had to complete. Technology such as phones and computers is strongly discouraged on this trip.
One benefit of this trip is that the approved six students won’t have to pay to attend: Friends pays for them to go. The $400 per student is given by the federal government but also from Friends’ budget overall.
“With more financial support, this trip may grow,” said Bollinger.
Although this year’s trip has its spots filled, information for 2011’s trip will come out soon with applications available in September. Full-time Friends students may apply. Bollinger said this trip is great for students with a certain goal in mind.
“If you like community service and you want a chance for not just a resume opportunity, but a life learning opportunity. Hopefully students can say they do have a chance to change the world, one experience at a time,” said Bollinger.
Campus Ministries believes in giving back to communities over spring break, too.
On their eighth annual trip, the group will take students March 15-19 to Houston. Students will serve at soup kitchens, help in AIDS/HIV clinics, play with kids, teach illiterate adults and experience other serving opportunities.
One of the group’s leaders, Preston Todd, stressed the importance of serving at places others may avoid.
“The idea is to build relationships with people. Then these areas won’t just be problems to students, but be people we’ve met,” said Todd.
The cost of the trip is $125, and spots are still available. Interested parties may sign up in 216 of the Davis Administration Building. Technology is strongly discouraged on this trip as well.
Todd encourages students to sign up and experience this humbling trip.
“I hope students will come out of the trip seeing how God works through organizations and people.”