- You are here: College of Education
- Sitemap
Spring Break Takes On New Meaning
March 15, 2006
by Jane E. Whitehorne
A group of students from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., got down and dirty during spring break week this year. After a week of vacation, the students ended up with paint-spattered clothes, dirty nails and happy smiles.
Ten young women journeyed to North Carolina to give of their time to LifeSpan, a non-profit organization that supports children and adults with developmental disabilities by providing education, employment and enrichment opportunities. Their volunteerism was part of the school's Alternative Spring Break program.
Alternative Spring Break is part of the Community Service Learning program at JMU. The focus of the program is to encourage student participation in community service. This year, more than 300 JMU students spent their spring break week of March 6-10 in various locations across the United States and internationally lending a helping hand.
The student-led program at JMU has become so popular that this year a lottery was required to determine student participation. Students are divided into teams consisting of two student leaders, a faculty, staff or alumni learning partner and about 10 students.
Planning begins as early as October when student leaders are selected and proposals for the trips are made. Students sign up to participate in a particular project and are sometimes wait listed.
They also pay a fee for the privilege of participating. During spring break week, they live without luxuries and on a very limited budget.
"I went on Alternative Spring Break last year and enjoyed it so much," said Lauren Martina. "This year I decided to apply to be a leader."
"I'm studying special education. So I knew I wanted to do something in that area."
One of Martina's professors was familiar with LifeSpan and suggested she look into serving that organization. She along with co-leader Hannah Moffitt worked with LifeSpan to plan activities for the week.
Arriving at LifeSpan's corporate offices in Charlotte March 4, the young women worked in various locations in and around the city as well as Concord, Troutman and High Point. In High Point, the group spent one day cleaning the LifeSpan greenhouse, planting seeds and helping with art projects.
"We choose what projects they will do," said Sandra Doyle-Jones of LifeSpan. "We ask them to do things we just don't have time to do. They bring a real value to us."
Most of the members of the group are studying special education. The experience of working with LifeSpan has reaffirmed career choices for several of the girls."I'm an art education and graphic design major," said junior Sara Lewis. "I had been struggling with what I wanted to do. Now I would love to incorporate my love of art into art therapy. I would like to have a studio for people like those at LifeSpan."
Andrea Griffin, also a special education major, had previously worked with children with developmental disabilities. Volunteering with Life-Span gave her the opportunity to work with adults.
"I've learned so much from this program," said Griffin. "It was nice to see what these folks do once they have graduated from school and turn 21."
Despite the hard work, the girls had lots of fun. Their hosts treated them to wonderful meals and they had the opportunity to experience many new activities. They also learned a lot about themselves.
"This is the kind of field that you need to know how you feel about it before you get into it," said Jenny Price who is studying speech pathology. "I definitely realized that I can handle myself in this field.
"The hardest part of this week has been going out of my comfort zone. I was pretty nervous at first. But this has turned out great. It has gotten better as the week has gone on."
Jane E. Whitehorne can be reached at (336) 841-4933 or jamestownnews@northstate.net.