Alternative spring break trips give different options for students and the opportunity to experience new things.

Some organizations have groups going on alternative spring break trips this year. Two of the trips are fishing in Bull Shoals Lake, Mo and Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challege trip to Denver, Co.

The fishing in the south trip is to give opportunities to get people together, and to do something in a new area says Mickey Fitch, Assistant Director of Resident Life. 

“It is one option for students, and it is good to have multiple options available," Fitch said.

They are staying in a cabin on the shores of Bull Shoals Lake in Southern Missouri. The group is possibly going to have a guide to talk to them about the lake and area, and they are going to tour boat manufacturers.

“I chose this trip because I love to fish and be outdoors, and I have never been down south before, so I’m excited to be able to go somewhere I have never been,” Kayla Muth said. "This is my first semester here, so I thought it would be a good way to start my schooling here.”

Alan Paron is another student who is excited for the trip.

“I really am just hoping to have a good time, and I think that will be a given on this trip," Paron said.

The Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challege trip is one that is also something different to do for spring break. 

“It is a trip all about service and volunteering,” Student Coordinator Lindsey Schiff said. “It is all about giving up our spring break to do something selfless.” 

This group has been planning alternative spring break trips for roughly 15 years. The last four have been for the Habitat for Humanity’s national program called the Collegiate Challenge.  Last year they got nominated for the Collegiate Challenge MVP Award from the Greater Portland, Maine affiliate, for going above and beyond expectations. 

“This was the first time this affiliate nominated a group, even though they have been doing the challenge for several years,” Ann Miller, the Student Leadership Coordinator, said.

Before joining up with Collegiate Challenge the group has gone to help people that were affected by hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.  They worked on forest trails in Kentucky, and helped people in Jamaica. 

“The people often on these trips do it because they are passionate about helping and volunteering,” Miller said.

“The main reason I initially wanted to go last year was to get out of the area for spring break, and to go somewhere and make a difference,”  student Kelly Bergstrom said. “My favorite parts of last year's trip was learning a little about how Habitat operates, and meeting with one woman who was going to live in one of the houses we were building.”

 Kelly is also going on this year’s trip and she says, “Ann and Lindsey have worked really hard to put this year's team together, so I'm confident that we will be just as productive, and have just as much fun.”