EDITOR’S NOTE: A student who recently travelled to Florida on an Alternative Spring Break trip shares her experience.
Often when people hear the words, “spring break,” what they think is stumbling drunk kids, baring it all. That’s no myth. But there is another side to tell, and it’s about some of us who chose to do some common good through USM’s Alternative Spring Break program.
Through this program two groups went down to Florida this past March. One worked with Habitat For Humanity and the other with The Nature Conservancy. I was a part of the second and that’s the story I can tell.
I handed over my deposit in mid-January, a little late, but just in time. Then as the months followed both groups met weekly, to discuss fund raising and learn information. Countless hours were dedicated to making money – bake sales, white elephant sales and a dance with a fabulous dinner. We had a great band, The High Ryder Golden Oldies Show, who played oldies. The best part was an Elvis impersonator!
Early early Saturday morning of March 23 we all met together at the airport for a day of traveling down to Melbourne, Florida where we went our separate ways. Down to Jupiter Island The Nature Conservancy group went. We camped at Jonathan Dickinson state park.
After dropping our stuff off, I went with Minal Patel and Mary Kay Kasper to get food for our hungry group. As we left in our great van, leaving the others to set up camp, I saw a sign that earlier I had missed. It read, NO PETS BEYOND THIS POINT, ALLIGATORS MAY BE PRESENT. My, oh my! I get nervous when there are things that could eat me … But all was well, and we were safe.
After we had eaten and our stuff was set up we were all pretty tired from a long day of traveling and the alarm buzzing for many of us at four in the morning, so we headed off to dreamland quickly.
Sunday was spent at the beach soaking up the beautiful sun and admiring the crystal blue water, thinking of the week ahead of us. And trying to light a camp fire.
Monday was “learning day.” We learned how to plant and take down vines that were killing trees that were native to Florida. One tree in particular, the Australian Pine is not native to Florida, but to Australia. This tree came over possibly by boat or through an animal or the ocean, but now they are all over and are hurting and killing trees and plants.
We put down some PVC pipes, and punctured holes in them while the water was on, might I add. With the water flying everywhere we had to fit these emitters in those tiny holes. Had it not been 90 degrees outside, I’m sure some would not be so happy.
Through the rest of the week with our new skills we worked at different sites around the area. One day we went to Jonathan Dickinson State Park and measured these cement areas that were used as shooting areas. They soon will be taken out after being there for many, many decades.
Often after our day of work we would head to the beach to take a swim or rest on the warm sand and giggle about the day’s events. Many adult volunteers joined us and they were just as sweet as could be. They made us yummy lunches and desserts. They worked right along with us and we all enjoyed the company.
During the week we went to a Sea Turtle hospital and saw some sick little turtles. Some had been hit by boats, injured from oil dumped in the water, and some just were depressed and wouldn’t eat. It was sad, but also good to see what our work was helping. These turtles were the ones we were cleaning the beaches for, so they could come up in the night and lay their eggs.
Coming back was hard, leaving sunny warm Florida and the wonderful friends we made at The Nature Conservancy. But I think many of us came back with a greater appreciation for our Earth, something we all need to pitch in and help.
Next year I plan on heading back down, and with all that I’ve learned maybe help in other ways. It was a learning experience, not only about the environment, but also for myself. I conquered camping, something I’m not that fond of, being with friends 24 hours a day and having little personal time. I found myself more spiritual when we were out in the beauty of the forests and on the beach.
A fabulous week was spent helping out our environment; we had so much fun, and learned so much! I highly recommend the experience.
USM’s Community Service office is recruiting NOW for Alternative Spring Break coordinators for Spring ’03! The role is AmeriCorps eligible and work-study payable.
Contact Andrea Thompson McCall, 228-8284 or [email protected]
soon!
Theresa Rowe is a first year psychology major from Camden.