Friday, March 14, 2014

Inexpensive and fun spring break alternatives, by Stella Nathan



Many college students want to do something fun and productive over spring break, but money and time is an issue.

Spring Break doesn’t always mean leave the state or country. There are fun alternatives in close proximity such as volunteering. The YMCA volunteer match system can give you opportunities to volunteer coach and teach youth.

You can also find out how to volunteer in soup kitchens and at your local Goodwill store. Goodwill, along with the YMCA, has volunteering options for mentoring youth. A lot of students at UWL are interested in some type of career path that involves working with young children. Volunteering and mentoring are great ways to get started.

“I started volunteering because I needed to do it for a class. Then I just really actually enjoyed it. It made me feel like I was doing something in the community, not just sitting around,” says Zachary, a business major at UWL.

A road trip can also be another inexpensive way to have fun with friends over spring break. It shouldn’t cost too much money with the costs for gas and hotel arrangements split. Camping is another way to have fun and be productive without spending too much money.
A long time resident of Wisconsin, Lou Ann, says, “I went to a camping site called Silver Springs, in Rio Wisconsin. I took my family and we stayed for a week. It was much better than you would expect. It’s probably more fun to go when it’s warm out.”
There are some camp resorts that allow for camping all year round. They are inexpensive but not your typical “roughing it” experience. Camp resorts will have electricity, TVs, running water hot and cold, as well as pluming and refrigerators. Camp resorts also sometimes have activities planned for guests so you won’t even have to figure out what to do.

The University of Wisconsin Lacrosse goes on spring break March 15th through the 23h.