YMCA Alternative Spring Break

Winter Trips for January 2009 will be posted in mid-october.

Past Trips...

Dominican Republic- This Winter's Alternative Break trip to the Dominican Republic will be an exciting immersion into service abroad in a vibrant, inviting culture.  While living in a needy community in the DR, participants will work with kids in a small school and finish up construction on the new schoolhouse.  Participants will also taste a flavor of the Caribbean as they enjoy traditional Dominican dishes, visit the historical center of Santo Domingo, and learn the popular local dances: banchata, merengue, and salsa.

Biloxi, Mississippi - This winter we will be traveling to Biloxi, Mississippi to do hurricane relief work. The area located in southern Mississippi was hit hard by Katrina. We will be traveling down there on January 3rd and returning on January 14th. While we are there we will be staying at Bay Vista Baptist Church. Our work will consists of a broad array of services including cooking, distribution of supplies, sheet rock/tree/debris removal, construction, and other projects the community needs. The church there has step up an amazing volunteer program. This trip is going to be an opportunity to grow as a volunteer and as a Christian. You will be required to participate in religious activities out of respect for our host.

There's always a lot of work to do, so bring your work gloves and boots! Make a difference by working on service projects as well as learning about Appalachian heritage and exploring the issues mountain people face today.

YMCA Camp Winona, Florida, January 7-15, 2005:

For this Winter Break Trip the YMCA at Virginia Tech is heading to YMCA Camp Winona in DeLeon Springs, Florida. We are currently accepting applications for this trip. We are looking for about 10-15 students willing to head down to Florida to help out the camp in its cleanup efforts after being hit my several hurricanes this season. They were hit the hardest by Hurricane Francis which blew down about 100 trees and blew debris everywhere. Some of the blown trees also did damage to some of the cabins. Cleanup efforts have begun and will continue throughout the off season. The breaks trip will be working to clean up all the down trees and do some work on the cabins.

When the group is not working on the cleaning up efforts they will get the chance to enjoy the facilities of camp such as the low and high ropes courses and swimming if you are brave enough the bear the cold. The volunteers will also get the chance to check out the surrounding area for a day either going to Daytona Beach or Orlando. The trip will cost 200 for the whole time, which includes a place to stay, food, transportation. The only thing you would need money for is personal purchases. If you are looking for a chance to make a difference this winter break this trip is for you.You can also check out YMCA Camp Winona’s website at http://www.campwinona.org.

Ivanhoe, Virginia- January 11-17, 2004:

Virginia Tech students have been going to Ivanhoe, Virginia since 1988. Every year, Ivanhoe gets rave reviews from all who attend. The folks in Ivanhoe are extremely committed and enthusiastic about the visiting college volunteers. If you want a first hand opportunity to experience someone else’s' life and times, Ivanhoe is the place for you. It is a community rich in history and warm to visitors.

There's always a lot of work to do, so bring your work gloves and boots! Make a difference by working on service projects as well as learning about Appalachian heritage and exploring the issues mountain people face today.