Alternative Spring Break = Service with a Smile
[column size=”1-3″ last=”0″]When deciding how to spend college spring break, many students take the traditional path and head to the beach or relax at home. Others take the less traveled path and build their own. These trail blazers are part of the Alternative Break program, a trail stewardship program designed specifically for college students.
[/column][column size=”2-3″ last=”1″][/column]
This March, more than 120 students donated their spring break period to give back to hiking trails across the country as part of American Hiking Society’s Alternative Break program. These trail stewards are rock-stars and we are so proud of their achievements and dedication to conserving the public lands that we all enjoy. Throughout March, American Hiking organized 12 Alternative Break stewardship trips. Student stewards participated in trail maintenance, clean-ups, and general park sprucing projects in Arkansas, California, Florida, and Virginia. (See photos below of the groups’ adventures)
These week-long trips have a profound impact on the environment as well as those involved in seeing the projects through completion. Student groups provide land managers with volunteer assistance at a very important time- as they are readying their parks and trails for the spring season and a rush of visitors. Trails-in-need receive attention and care and students return to school from their week of stewardship with new friendships formed, an appreciation for the outdoors, and fond memories of the week spent making a difference.
Land managers are appreciative of the assistance they receive at such a vital time and are also invigorated by the spirit and dedication students bring to the project. Alternative Break host, Josh Ellington from Twin Lakes State Park in Virginia, comments, “The enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers from Lehigh University not only provided the resources to complete many tasks but also provided a morale boost to the entire project.”
Many students seek out American Hiking Society’s Alternative Breaks because of their healthy, outdoor appeal and connection to nature and conservation. A group from Northeastern University traveled from Boston to rehabilitate park trails in California. A participant from this group summarized their week of trail stewardship. “I really enjoyed my experience. Working outdoors was very rewarding, and I hope to strive for a more active outdoor lifestyle after Alternative Spring Break.” Many thanks to our Alternative Break stewards for getting out and giving back during your spring break![Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”62″ gal_title=”Alternative Break 2015″]
Learn more about American Hiking Society’s Alternative Break program, here.
If you are interested in planning an Alternative Break for your college group please contact volunteer@AmericanHiking.org or call 1-800-972-8608 ext. 704.