Pounce Online

Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment

In Springville, AL., students can work at the Big Oak Girls Ranch to do painting and light construction. (Photo courtesy of Sean Barth)

Ah spring break, the time for students to have a week away from the stresses of school and get away.

Students go to countless number of beaches across the world to get the perfect tan, swim in the ocean, or just enjoy the nightlife and culture of the place they're visiting.

Spots like Cancun, Mexico and South Beach, Fla. are just a few popular places for spring break vacationers.

But what if a student wants to get away from the stresses of college life and help others? Some want to get away and better themselves and the lives of others across the country.

Some students here at Eastern are venturing out on an alternative spring break. This will be the 15th year that the Newman Catholic Center at Eastern will be hosting alternative spring break options for students.

This is one of the longest running programs for alternative spring breaks in the country.

Sean Barth, of the EIU Newman Catholic Center, said that there are nine different places that students are going to across the country this spring break.

According to the organizations facebook website students will be heading to: two cities in Alabama, two cities in Kentucky, one city in Louisiana, one site in Ontario, Canada, one in Philadelphia, and one in Kansas City, Mo.

The only trip that was cancelled was the one headed to New York City. Barth said that the catholic center was going through some personal changes and there was a communication breakdown, which led to the loss of the trip. Of these nine spots one of the most popular ones chosen by the students was the trip to Philadelphia, Pa. According to Barth the big names of cities like Philadelphia and New York attract a lot of students.

One of the biggest sites, and more popular, is the Christian Appalachian Project.

According to the CAPS website there are over 100 college students from around the country that come to their annual work fest in McKee, KY. These students will spend their time repairing houses and interacting with the community.

Sophomore elementary education major Kelly Canning is heading to the St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia for her alternative spring break.

Continued...

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