YMCA Alternative Spring Break

Trips for Spring Trips for 2008

  Northeast Mississippi 
  We will be working with the Northeast branch of Habitat
  for Humanity doing a wide range of projects - framing, shingling, vinyl  siding,
  painting, insulating, etc. Look forward to a fast pace schedule but  free time
  to explore the area too. Construction skills would be helpful, but no
  experience is necessary. If you have any questions about this trip contact 
  Lane at lva360@vt.edu 
  
  Montgomery, Alabama
  On this trip to Montgomery we will be working with Habitat for
  Humanity. We will be working as a team to help build a house for a  family that
  needs it.  If you have any questions about this trip contact Kerry at kerrym@vt.edu
  Taylor at tng0305@vt.edu.
  
  Waveland, Mississippi
  On this ASB trip, we will be traveling to the southeast coast of  Mississippi
  to volunteer with Katrina Relief. Though the hurricane was almost three
  years ago, there is still a lot of work to be done. We will be
  participating in home repair projects such as tiling and hanging  drywall,
  but no experience is needed to participate. Space is limited to eight
  people, so sign up soon! Come volunteer your time in a fun and rewarding
  way this spring break!  If you have any questions about this trip contact Nichole at
  ncadieux@vt.edu or Sarit at sacliff@vt.edu.
  
  Lakeland, Florida
  This trip will be working with the First Baptist Children's Home. 
  During the day we will be doing different projects around the house and 
  during the afternoon we will be doing programming and playing with the  kids.
  If you love kids and want to make a difference in a few kids  lives, this is 
  the trip for you. If you have any questions about this trip contact Amy at vtamy11@vt.edu
  or Brendan at bbarrios@vt.edu.

Cost for each trip will be approximately $250

Get an application and turn it into 312 Squires.        

  Trips for Spring Trips for 2007

South Dakota- We will be working on a Sioux Indian reservation. Programs will be anything from afterschool programing to job skill building. We will be working directly with the residents of the reservation and will not only be serving, but learning about their culture. The cost of the trip will be $220 which includes food, lodging, and transportation.

Contact Amber Franklin frankal@vt.edu if you have any questions about this trip.

Gulf Coast- We will be returning to the Gulf Coast to help in the continuing Hurricane Relief Efforts. This trip will be focused on the rebuilding effort and any contstruction skills would be helpful, but no experience is neccessary. The cost of the trip will be $220 which includes food, lodging, and transportation. This trip is full.

Contact Rachel St. John rstjohn@vt.edu if you have any questions about this trip.

Spring Trips are filling up fast. The sooner you turn in your application the better chance you have of being selected to go on a trip.

Past Trips...

Spring Break Trips from 2006!

NEW ORLEANS - This trip was in the workings before Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast and now the need is even greater. Details of this trip will come with time and will depend on the need come March 2006. The need for help in the gulf will continue for years to come. If you would like to continue to show your support for the residents of the gulf here is your chance!  New Orleans trip cost $300 for the week including transportation, lodging, and food!

Miami - Take a week to discover the other side of the beaches in Miami.  Get a first hand look at the issues of poverty and homelessness in a big city by serving in many different locations such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters.  This trip promises to be an unforgettable experience and great opportunity to serve and learn.  The host site is Christian affiliated so attendance to Christian worship services will be required as a part of the trip.  This trip will run from March 4^th – 11^th.  The cost will be $350 which includes food, lodging, and transportation.

Contact Amber Franklin, frankal@vt.edu if you have questions or stop by 312 Squires Student Center.

Spring Break Trips From 2005!

COLORADO - The trip to Colorado is a multi stop trip. Our first stop will be in Deckers at YMCA Camp Shady Brook. This is an exciting summer camp located in the Pikes Peak region. The camp is set in a beautiful valley of the Pikes Peak National Forest. We will be making improvements to the camp during our stay at camp! The second stop on this trip will be in Denver. While in Denver we will be working with the local Habitat for Humanity Chapter. We are also trying to fit in a day trip to Breckenridge Ski Resort mid-week! The three days at camp will touch the lives of hundreds of children who attend camp during the summer and the three days working with Habitat will prove to be very rewarding and memorable.

FLORIDA - The trip to Florida will be returning to YMCA Camp Winona to help continue with clean-up efforts from the Hurricanes. Amber who went on the Winter Break trip to Florida had so much fun she has decided to lead another trip back to Florida. Most of the work will be cleaning up downed trees and branches and burning them. There is a possibility for some small cabin repairs work as well. Check out pictures from our winter break trip to camp! Amber is planning on returning to Universal Studios for a day as well! Helping at this camp will be extremely rewarding especially when you can visible see the difference you are making. You are also indirectly touching the lives of hundreds of children who attend camp during the summer.

SOUTH DAKOTA - The trip to South Dakota will be going to a Sioux Reservation in Dupree, SD. We will be working with the local YMCA on the reservation to help with After School Programs. There is such a demand for After School Programs but the YMCA is struggling to staff these programs. This trip will be mostly interacting with kids and overseeing different activities. This trip is a great chance to become completely immersed in another culture and lend an helping hand. There will also most likely be a side trip to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore! This trip will not only leave an everlasting impact of the community of Dupree, SD but it will also leave an everlasting mark on your own life. Looking for a chance to help others while at the same time letting those who you are helping help you, this is your trip!

Past Trips

Guatemala - March 6-14, 2004:

A service project, helping local communities while getting the chance to explore the beauty of Guatemala's landscape and history. Guatemala Volunteer Experience: Dr. Hune Marguiles, president of Community Development Partners of the Americas, will be on campus Nov. 11th and 12th to share his experiences and explain the service and cultural opportunities available to us during the YMCA’s trip March 6-14th. The trip is open to all community members and Virginia Tech students. Additional information about Dr. Marguiles and CDPA is available at www.culture-and-ecology.com

Trinidad - March 6-14, 2004:

Travel to the Caribbean island of Trinidad to conduct a service project and rainforest expedition.

Washington, DC

The YMCA D.C. Alternative Spring Break trip provides Virginia Tech students with the opportunity to spend their spring break living in a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C., and learning about issues surrounding homelessness. Student participants interact with individuals who are homeless by volunteering at the largest shelter in the country, the Community for Creative Nonviolence. The shelter is run by previous residents. During the week, students also work at other shelters, meet with representatives from the National Coalition for the Homeless, and interact with individuals from other non-profits and political organizations. Students often return from the trip with a sense of appreciation and motivation to tackle this perplexing issue that plagues modern society.

Native American

Spend your spring break at a Native American Reservation or Community and make a difference working with a community on projects as well as learning their heritage and issues of today. On the 1997 spring break trip, 20 students/volunteers split up into 2 groups. One group went to Mattaponi Indian Reservation in Virginia. The second group went to a Native American Indian Community in New York. Activities included land management, housing repairs, cultural and historical awareness through storytelling, touring their museum, and arts & crafts. We also had the opportunity to fish, swim, kayak, canoe, and ride horses.