When you put college students and Spring Break together, the image of club hopping in Mexico may come to mind. Although many students look forward to spending these two weeks away from school, others say they prefer options that provide first-hand, educational experiences.
“The alternative started in 1997 and ever since then it’s been a student-organized, student-planned and student-run program,” said Lina Menard, the coordinator for the Center of Community Service here on campus.
Every fall there is a call for proposals from students that are interested in running programs themselves. The center only takes care of logistics and leaves it up to the program leaders to obtain funding and recruit other students who would be interested in a variety of trips that are proposed every year.

According to Menard, the idea of “alternative” spring breaks allows one to think beyond the typical leisurely vacationing, instead combining it with learning and community aspects.
Senior Johanna Allen and junior Jonathan Goldenberg are the student leaders of “Borders in Our Backyard.” The trip started as a four-day weekend option in the fall of 2007 and will be debuting as an alternative spring break option on the first week of the vacation.

“It’s for anyone who is interested in immigration issues and generally trying to understand what’s going on here in the Northwest,” said Goldenberg of the trip.

When asked what kind of experiences can come from a trip like this, Allen said, “It can widen perspectives and increase awareness about relevant topics.”

Professor Aaron Bobrow-Strain’s U.S.-Mexico border trips sparked a student-led alternative spring break that carries the same idea of traveling and talking to different people around the Northwest that are involved in immigration issues.

“It’s a chance for students to meet with people from both sides of the border,” said Bobrow-Strain.

Menard added that the list of options students have for trips is varied. One successful program has been a week away at a Monastery in Whidbey Island, teaching students about the Monastic lifestyle.

It has become so popular, said Menard, that the program might run twice during the two weeks of break.

“People can clean up parks, do stream restoration…the environmental trips seem to be the most popular and very rewarding for the people that decide to go,” said Menard.
The opportunities are endless, and Menard hopes that more students not only go on the trips, but also decide to start some themselves in order to provide programs that can pique anyone’s interest.

Keep an eye out for more information about Alternative Spring Breaks and visit thesca.org to find some great spots around the world that are in need of help during vacation.