Alternative Spring Break Trip Provides Service-Learning Experience

Students on Spring Break 2011

When most UNL students were simply relaxing and having fun during their spring break, more than 40 students chose an alternative: to spend their time helping others through one of four trips offered by the UNL Service-Learning.

CoJMC faculty member Phyllis Larsen was a trip leader for the March 19-25 trip to Pine Ridge, S.D. The group of 12 UNL students worked on the reservation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe helping Wolf Creek school students and teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. In addition, they learned about Native American culture and visited sites such as Crazy Horse Memorial and Wounded Knee.

"My service-learning experience on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation exceeded my expectations for an enjoyable and meaningful spring break," said junior environmental studies major Danny Martin. "I feel like we made a positive impact in many of the students' lives at Wolf Creek, and they also taught us a few life lessons. The hardest part was saying good-bye. I'd go back in a heartbeat."

Other UNL Alternative Spring Break trips included a Habitat for Humanity build in Longmont, Colo.; work with immigrants and refugees in Chicago; and helping shelter for those living in poverty in Kansas City, Mo.