Building an entrance ramp to a building in Orlando, Fla. or working with autistic campers in Michigan might not describe the typical spring break, but many students are pursuing similar opportunities through Alternative Spring Break.
According to the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Web site, the ASB program at VCU offers seven trips, including one international trip, during each spring break. Participating students spend their time out of school traveling to and working in communities of need to better the lives of people there.
Each trip takes approximately 12 students: two site leaders and 10 students selected from an application process. ASB trips require commitment, hard work and a desire to make a difference according to the DSAES Web site.
The application materials list the destination sites and describe the type of work expected. Applicants pick their top three choices for their trip, and ASB site leaders will try to match the selected participants with their desired trip according to the DSAES Web site.
Students participating in ASB are expected to do both hard labor and more social and interactive work with those less fortunate, according to Kayla Diggs, one of the site leaders for the upcoming international trip.
“My first year I went to New Haven, Connecticut, to work at an organization for homeless people. We maintained the facility by doing construction and painting, prepared and served meals, interacted with people and learned about the inner workings of the place,” Diggs said.
“We have to go to trips that are affordable and also facilitate what we want to do, which is helping others in a community that really needs it.”
Kimberly Brust, the group’s fundraising chair, said to help finance the trips the ASB program holds at least two fundraisers a month.
ASB has sold concessions at Kings Dominion and the Richmond Raceway, held bake sales at Ukrop’s and partnered with local food chains with coupons and donations, Brust said.
On her trip to Alabama, Brust worked for Habitat for Humanity. She did construction and landscaping at the work site, but her trip also led her to form new friendships.
“Three other schools were there, so we got to meet a lot of people from other places,” Brust said.
During spring break last year Kunal Kapoor, ASB participant, went to Michigan during the same week and worked with autistic campers, while repainting and maintaining their campground facilities.
Lauren Simpkins, an ASB participant, spent her week in Orlando at the Center for Independent Living. There, she built entrance ramps for people who otherwise had no way to get into the building.
While demanding, the preparation and work during the ASB trip pay off. Simpkins said she most enjoyed the nights after her team’s work was done when they reflected on their work and got to know one another better.
“It was just a really rewarding and selfless way to spend spring break. At the end of the week, I felt like I had really done something worthwhile and made a small difference in people’s lives instead of just sleeping or relaxing like most people do,” she said.
ASB looks for creative and determined applicants for their trips. To apply, fill out an application online at www.vcu-asb.org and email it to vcuasb@gmail.com by Nov. 18. More information is available on that Web site and from the “Alternative Spring Break VCU” group on Facebook.