Alternative Breaks trips offer students perspective, growth
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GVL / Robert Mathews
GVSU Alternative Spring Breaks Park Preservation Group. Top: Andi Wilt, Derek Moretz, Courtney Cave, Emily Rasch. Bottom: Jose Rodriguez, Caleb Scheidel, Sarah Wildt, Amanda Aldapa, Joel Mounts, Bill Kinter, Robert Mathews
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As Grand Valley State University students wait anxiously for a Spring Break breather, those involved in the student organization Alternative Breaks are gearing up for a week of service in various locations nationwide.
The Alternative Breaks group aims to promote service-learning through week-long trips across the U.S., and over this year’s March 2-9 Spring Break, volunteers involved in more than 10 different trips, will learn about social and environmental issues, gain leadership experience, and meet new people both nationally and regionally.
This year, trips include one to New Jersey, where students will work in a domestic violence shelter, and another in Florida, where students will help to clean beaches in an effort to help more turtles nest.
Alternative Breaks student leaders host informational nights for prospective students to learn more about the trips throughout the year, and post applications for interested students online in mid-October. On the application forms, students are asked to select up to four issue areas they want to work within, such as youth and foster care and park preservation, and asked to detail why they’d like to get involved.
Once applicants are accepted and assigned to a trip, they’ll go to an orientation where they’ll meet their site leaders and are told their issue and location. The locations are kept secret until orientation so participants will pick trips based on the issues/volunteer work rather than the location.
Garrett Sawyer, vice president of Public Relations for Alternative Breaks, said though service trips are held miles away from GVSU, advocacy doesn’t necessarily stop there.
“Along with making friends and being able to help others and the environment, Alternative Breaks seeks to educate students about the issue so they can promote the issue back on campus and live with that community’s goals in mind,” Sawyer said.
rmclaughlin@lanthorn.com
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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