But a much different spring-break trend has grown steadily in popularity since the 1980s--spring breaks wherein students volunteer their time, muscle, and evolving expertise for the benefit of those in need.

The university's Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships (CSECP) plays a role, encouraging service; finding resources for volunteer projects; and providing assistance to students, staff, faculty, and community members.

"Because they are powerful learning experiences," says CSECP Director James M. Dubinsky, "we want to support any and all organizations that conduct them."

The center is working with YMCA Student Programs on alternative spring-break leader training. It also sponsors a theme-housing program, SERVE (Students Engaging and Responding through Volunteer Experiences), and a student organization, the Sustainable Food Corps. Students from both groups traveled on service breaks in March. Some participated in a Heifer Alternative Spring Break trip led by Susan Clark, associate professor of human nutrition, foods, and exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The trip to Perryville, Ark., allowed students to do service work for Heifer International, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to relieving global hunger and poverty.

"Not only did my experience ... expose me to principles and a value system which allow for sustainable solutions, but it helped to narrow my focus in the field of dietetics. I will be working with under-served families to improve their health by increasing their access to healthy and wholesome foods in ways that allow them to become [more productive] members of their communities," says Stephanie Riviere, a senior dietetics major and former Heifer-break participant.

But these aren't the only opportunities available to students wanting to fill their breaks with service rather than sun.

The Virginia Tech chapter of Engineers without Borders-USA partners with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life by implementing environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing internationally responsible engineers and engineering students. This spring, an Engineers without Borders group traveled to Xix, Guatemala, to work on a water quality project for a boarding school. A second group journeyed to Verón, Dominican Republic, for a similar project to provide clean water for a school and a medical clinic. 

Newman Community Catholic Campus Ministry

Participation in the Newman Community Catholic Campus Ministry's spring break service trips has doubled since last year. This year, the Newman Community sent 80 students to Mexico; Chicago, Ill.; Flint, Mich.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Mound Bayou, Miss., to work on a variety of projects.

"The projects we do are secondary to the relationships we build with the people of the area. These trips represent an opportunity to put a face on statistics or news stories of poverty," says Theresa Hebert (psychology '08), Newman Community development director. "We do not expect to fix a community's social and economical problems in one week, but we do hope to come out of this experience with a renewed call to help where we can."

YMCA Student Programs

The YMCA provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, experience civic engagement through volunteer service, and actively explore career options with hands-on experience. This spring, the Y organized a trip to Galveston, Texas, to help with Hurricane Ike relief efforts.

"What is cool about these relief trips is that we never know exactly what we will be doing until we get there. We are excited to see what this trip will bring and are ready to help wherever we can," said Sarit Cliffer, a junior in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering and trip co-leader with Nicole Cadieux, also a junior in mechanical engineering. On past trips, students have worked on everything from tiling and putting up dry wall to assisting with relief paperwork. 

Baptist College Ministries

Baptist College Ministries at Virginia Tech led several trips during spring break. In John's Island, S.C., students worked on the Sea Islands of coastal Carolina near Charleston, repairing a home's rotting foundation, leaky roof, and poor plumbing. On another trip, students aided the homeless and poverty-stricken communities in Orlando, Fla.

Peacework

A local nonprofit organization, Peacework helps alleviate conditions of poverty and promotes peace and prosperity through economic development partnerships and service around the world. It organizes each project on a case-by-case basis with community leaders according to locally determined development needs and objectives.

In 2008 and 2009, Virginia Tech's College of Architecture and Urban Studies (CAUS) collaborated with Peacework to develop the college's first two service-abroad projects.

CAUS Dean Jack Davis coordinated the 2009 spring break trip, dubbed a "workation," with Tom Tillar, vice president for Alumni Relations. Tillar, Davis, a group of CAUS students and professors, and university alumni traveled to Punta Cana, a municipal district in La Altagracia, the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. There, they constructed a playground for the Verón Primary School.

"The enthusiasm of the children on the last two days, as they could see the playground taking shape and when they finally got to scramble all over it, was overwhelming," says Dean Bork, associate professor of landscape architecture, whose team of students sought input from village residents before designing the play park.

While many Hokies still take the opportunity to lie on beaches and recharge their batteries, increasing numbers are joining the ranks and traveling--not to where the boys are, but to where the needy are.

	View a YouTube video about alternative breaks at Virginia Tech @ www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IZXQVu3MuPY