Cardinal Points

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: FUSE

Nick Tubbs poses before a controlled forest fire lit to clear out exotic trees. This was one of the group's responsibilities on their Alternative Winter Break trip. [Click to enlarge]

Jason Leach and Kristen Wohlgemuth work on a cement wall while working for Habitat for Humanity in Georgetown, S.C. This trip was specifically for people involved in residence life. [Click to enlarge]

Brittany Buelle poses with a preschooler while she helps out at her school. The participants dedicated the week to mentoring children in need. [Click to enlarge]

Residence Life Trip -Georgetown, S.C.

By Joe Murphy

contributing writer

Going to Georgetown, S.C. was one of the best experiences I've ever had!

I thought about going on an Alternative Winter Break or Spring Break trip in the past but I never wanted to give up a week of work to do it. The Center for Student Involvement approached me in the fall and asked, "If you were to go on the Residence Life AWB trip this year, where and when would you want to go?" I thought about it for a few days and said, "Somewhere closer to home than Florida - make it only one week long, and have it begin after New Year's."

So it was formed: The trip would be for one week, starting January 5. We would travel to Georgetown, S.C. and work for Habitat for Humanity. I was stoked!

Then the applications from fellow RDs, RAs and RMs came pouring in. The group of participants and leaders was awesome. We all had a great time from when we first entered the van for the 16-hour journey until we stepped foot back into the cold north!

The volunteers for Habitat for Humanity in Georgetown County were so warm and open to us. We had the opportunity to help paint, tear down walls, clear brush, plant grass, build bird houses, aid the resale store by picking up furniture in surrounding communities and help out with their annual fundraiser: "The Souper Bowl."

For anyone who hasn't participated in an AWB or ASB trip, I say do it. I learned about a different culture, helped those in need and made some life-long friends. I had such a blast that I'm going to go on a trip this spring to help out Habitat for Humanity in Bridgeport, Conn.

The trip wouldn't have been nearly half as fun without the co-leaders, participants, and volunteers in Georgetown.



Open Trip - Naples, Fl.

By Alyssa Fleck

associate news editor

While waking up every morning at 7 a.m. to spend my days spraying herbicide on Brazilian Pepper-trees, there were certainly days I wished I was doing nothing more with my winter break than sleeping in and watching TV. However, by the end of each day, that was certainly not the case.

When I signed up to participate in an alternative winter break in Naples, Fl., I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

A 28-hour van ride with complete strangers, two weeks sleeping in a tent (which to our luck, ended up not even zipping shut), and crawling through what many would consider a jungle to knock out exotic plants, it seemed like a relatively crazy idea.

Turns out the complete strangers ended up being some of the greatest people I've ever met, the broken tent provided laughs for days, and the work was pretty fun.

My experience in Naples was one that I would consider incomparable.

With 10 other students by my side, I met some hilarious forest rangers (holla at Moe), heard ridiculously embarrassing stories around the camp fire, and all jokes aside, learned a lot about myself.

I walked away proud of what I had accomplished, sad that it was coming to an end, and most of all, excited to go back next year.



Open Trip - New Jersey, Connecticut

By Amanda Ballow

contributing writer

This January, I went on an Alternative Winter Break trip to Bridgeton, N.J. to work at a Headstart and then to Hartford, Conn. to work at a Salvation Army.

The Headstart was a preschool program and the Salvation Army was a combination preschool and after-school program for girls.

I greatly enjoyed working with many different groups of children and being able to affect their lives, even if it was for only a few days.

Also, I was glad that I and the other members of my trip were able to help those that worked at the different sites and provide whatever assistance was needed.

Our trip focused on working with children and volunteering at two sites that aided children.

I think that other people should participate in Alternative Winter or Spring Break trips because it gives great opportunity to have many different experiences that one would not otherwise have during the break from school.

My AWB trip was a great experience and I am very glad that I was given the opportunity to go and volunteer for two weeks and spend my break doing something interesting and fun.

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