Clemson Students Skip Spring Break Paradise for Community Service

After twelve and a half hours, 29 students from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina stepped out of three vans into the brutal conditions of mid-March in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All 29 students could have been walking the beaches of the usual tourist spots like the Bahamas or Panama City. For these 29 students, the wild scene of Spring Break typically captured on MTV during March and April was far what their trip was about. In fact, these 29 college students were in Philadelphia to help with local community service projects.

While in Philadelphia, the Clemson University students participated in a variety of service projects mostly dealing with hunger issues. One of the projects, MANNA, offered students a chance to prepare and deliver meals to homebound AIDS and HIV patients. Another project, SHARE, had students packaging bulk food items into meal format, which could then be sold at a discount in exchange for community service from the recipients. In all, the Clemson students helped five different causes in the Philadelphia area. "The other members and the people at all our projects helped me to learn things about myself," said Clemson student Marie Smith. Like Marie Smith, many students have found that sacrificing their breaks is worthwhile.

While missing out on the beach could be seen as a bad thing, most students are finding that the rewards of community service are more valuable and refreshing than a day in paradise. So while some define paradise with images of beaches and sand, a newer generation of students and young people are changing the stereotypes. Clemson's Alternative Break Program prides itself in its service-learning attitude, which its students prove by reaching a helping hand to others while learning about themselves in the process.

A growing number of universities and schools around the country are beginning to participate in this phenomenon known as Alternative Spring Break. Schools are now encouraging their students to engage in activities that benefit communities instead of participating in the usual party scenes of Spring Break, and it's working. Interest for these programs is steadily rising and appears to be reaching new heights each year.

For Clemson's students, the process is even competitive. Applications are accepted and interviews are conducted for students at the University and each participant is selected based on merit. According to the Clemson program, approximately 10 students were turned away this year due to space limitations. However, with the growing needs and interest in the program, Clemson plans to offer multiple trips in future years.