Students Give Back, Gain Affordable Experience through Alternative Spring Break

UMBC’s Alternative Spring Break trips share one common theme: helping others locally. Through the four trips offered March 16-20, students have the chance to work with children and people with disabilities, assist with trail building and experience homelessness firsthand.

“These trips are for students who want to volunteer with Alternative Spring Break but don’t have the money,” said Jordanna Spencer ‘09, graduate coordinator for service and volunteerism. “Financial opportunities are tight; these trips will give students an opportunity to become immersed and have an extensive experience at a low price.”

Students pay $75 and stay in Erickson Hall, where they will cook together and camp out in three lounges. The groups will use vans from The Shriver Center to reach nearby destinations. Three of the four programs will take place in Baltimore, with another in Arlington, Virginia. There are two student leaders for each group along with volunteers both in and outside of the Division of Student Affairs.

The four trips were planned based on the economy and the passions of students. One group will work with The ARC of Carroll County, an organization assisting people with developmental disabilities. Students will teach these citizens about partnership and provide them with job skill training. Spencer said the student who organized this trip has a disabled sister, and he promotes and supports this organization.

Another group will head to the Gwynns Falls Trail, spearheaded by UMBC’s Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA). These students will build trails and speak with students at local schools about the environment. Professor of American Studies Ed Orser will also attend and give a historical perspective based on his book. Tanvi Gadhia ’09, environmental studies, is a student leader for this group and looks forward to educating students in Baltimore city schools.

“I really hope to connect inner city kids with nature and teach them, expose them to young and enthusiastic mentors,” said Gadhia. “I want to use my leadership skills to share my passion for the environment with my fellow students to help empower them to make a difference in their surrounding community.”

The third Baltimore group will partake in “A Day in the Life: Poverty and Homeless Simulation.” Students will spend the week volunteering with with Centro, Helping Up Mission, CAN Bannaker Center and St. Vincent D. Paul's, Sarah's Hope. On Wednesday, March 18, students will embark on a full 12-hour simulation where they will live in Baltimore for $2 a day, excluding transportation costs.

“They’ll have to take on a character and find food, shelter and apply for a job,” said Spencer. “They’ll be in Baltimore from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and the lounges at Erickson will be closed.”

Another group is headed to The Gesundheit Institute (Hillsboro, West Virginia), an organization UMBC has volunteered with in the past and is popular with students. While at the Institute, students use an alternative approach of medicine by interacting with patients through a variety of games and activities. The care they receive is focused on fun and play.

This year marks the last of Spencer’s ASB coordination, as she is graduating with her master’s degree in the spring. She hopes the program will provide students with more Alternative Spring Break options in the future. 

“We hope the program grows and students become more immersed,” Spencer said. “With additional financial support in the future, we can provide more opportunities for students.”

For more information on ASB at UMBC, visit www.umbc.edu/umbcserves/.

Watch the UMBC homepage for a reflection story about ASB 2009 after Spring Break.

(3/10/09)