Spring Break-ing the mold

Whether you like mountains, the sea or a tropical country, students have found options for a unique spring break trip through Luther. This year, the Habitat for Humanity chapter at Luther is going to Mississippi on a service trip, Back Yard Wilderness Pursuit (BYWP) is going on a ski trip to Colorado and College Ministries is organizing a mission trip to Nicaragua.

For over 15 years, Habitat for Humanity has arranged a service trip in various places throughout the U.S. For the past four years, they have gone to Ocean Springs, Miss. to do relief work after Hurricane Katrina. While there, the team help rebuild and repair buildings and houses damaged by the hurricane.

“It’s a really fun trip and nice because you still get that spring break feeling,” President of Habitat for Humanity Erin Green (‘10) said. “We are about a mile away from the beach, it’s warm and it’s a really nice town to be visiting. At the same time, it also gives you a chance to be doing some pretty awesome service work.”

The cost of the trip is $425, but the group organizes various fundraisers throughout the year to reduce the cost.

“We also get a grant from Wellness and College Ministries to help pay for the staff and faculty that go on the trip and also to help out with students who have financial need,” Activity Advisor Rachel Vagts said.

Heading west to the Rocky Mountains, BYWP organized a ski trip to Aspen, Colo.

“It’s Luther’s kind of way to promote a safe spring break trip,” Allison Moen (‘11) said.

The group will drive to Colorado with Luther vans in order to make the cost more affordable. The price of this trip is $350 plus rental and food.

Traveling with BYWP is a unique option because it allows students to have a few days out with their friends while still having some time to go home.

For the past few years, College Ministries has sent students on mission trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. This year’s trip is going with Mission Nicaragua to work on several things.

“We do both mission work and service work,” Co-leader Erin Gilbertson (‘11) said.

A challenge to some students traveling with this group is their lack of Spanish skills. However, according to Gilbertson, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Students have been working from November through March on fundraising activities to alleviate the cost of the trip, which is about $750. Many students also receive donations from their churches.

Regardless of cost, this mission trip has been a great learning experience for many students.

“What I am always impressed by when I go on these trips is the hospitality that is shown to us when we are in the host country,” Co-leader of Mission Nicaragua Carina Schiltz (‘12) said. “We are almost given more than what we give.”

Whether it is taking on a service project in Southern U.S., collecting skiing anecdotes in Colorado or learning about a new culture in Nicaragua, Luther College has many spring break trips taking place this month.