CONTRIBUTING REPORTER
Students looking for something unusual to do over spring break that will broaden their cultural horizons have an option other than watching PBS.
According to senior Lyell Jones, Wake Alternative Break is the key. Jones is the head of WAB, which held its first organizational meeting Nov. 8.
People interested in WAB have a choice of nine sites this year which deal with four different areas of volunteer work, including ecological restoration, working for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering in an urban environment and serving Indian reservations.
In the ecological restoration area, the three sites planned are in Charleston, S.C., northern Florida, and southern Florida. The work done in these areas primarily consists of cleaning up hurricane damage and doing maintenance jobs on the wildlife preserves.
The two Indian reservation sites are in Dupree, S.D., a Sioux reservation, and Palequah, Okla., a Cherokee reservation. Service on these sites will include repairing houses and volunteering in the community center.
An inner-city site is planned in New Orleans, where volunteers will be working with the elderly as well as with the elementary schools in the area in battling urban poverty and racism.
The other urban area targeted is Boston, where members of WAB will team up with members of City Youth, a program that is similar to a national peace corp but that is for the nation's youth.
The two areas targeted for Habitat for Humanity are in eastern Tennessee and Sherman, Texas.
According to Jones, 10 to 12 people are needed on each site, and about 90 to 100 people are expected to participate. These numbers are evidence of the growth of WAB, which was started five years ago, and has added three sites since last year.
The approximate cost of participating in WAB is $100 to $150. This cost will include food and lodging. Jones said he considers this a meager price compared to the rewards of the trip.
"The irony behind the whole concept of WAB is that you spend an entire week working for other people but you return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated," Jones said. "In addition to being a volunteer-oriented trip, it is equally important in getting to know other students and allowing an opportunity for cultural exchange."
The trips will take place March 8-17. If you are interested in participating in WAB, pick up an application at the Volunteer Service Corps office in the Benson University Center. The applications are due by Nov. 21.