Students volunteering this past Spring Break. Photo Courtesy of Hamilton College.
While some students spent Spring Break traveling to warm parts of the world and others caught up on sleep, many groups of students adventured throughout the United States on Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trips. Through Habitat for Humanity, students volunteered to spend a week in various areas of the country, completing service projects that assist locals.
Many first-years gladly welcomed the opportunity to spend their first spring break as volunteers. First-year Nonso Mogor ’21 participated in a ASB trip that traveled to Pittsboro, N.C. “I saw the school-wide email they sent out about going on a service trip over Spring Break, and I knew I wasn’t going to be doing anything over break so I applied,” said Mogor. “It was a great experience — one that most of us hadn’t had before.”
For other students, however, the most recent spring with Habitat for Humanity. Sophomore Erin Walicki ’20 went to Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee last year and Lexington, V.A. this year. “The people we meet [on the volunteer trips] are always so surprised that we would give up our spring break to do physical labor, but Hamilton’s unique two-week break makes it possible for us to both relax as well as volunteer,” said Walicki. “My groups were enthusiastic and motivated, and I think we all really enjoyed making a difference and feeling appreciated.”
The trips involved students cooperating and coming together to do physical work, from continuing to build upon an already-started project to kicking off a new one. “Last year, we dug at an archaeological site, cleaned up an animal refuge, and built a fence at an 1850s working farm and living history museum,” said Walicki. “This year, my group mainly worked on two houses — one was for a single mother and her three sons, which we sided and insulated. We hauled drywall and also laid block to make the foundation for another house.”
Mogor’s ASB group worked on houses as well. “The houses were mostly done when we got there, but there were still some important jobs that needed to be done that we helped with, such as installing doors and door-frames, closets, window frames, base-boards, installing siding outside the house, insulating crawl space, building porches, amongst other things,” said Mogor. “Habitat for Humanity builds affordable housing for low-income families, and it was great to be able to help the cause.”
Throughout the work, students also had the chance to experience the history and culture of the local communities. “The site coordinators also allow us a day off to explore the local area. Last year, we spent the day in Nashville, and this year, we saw the historic Natural Bridge rock formation, which is a popular detour destination for many travelers like Lewis and Clark,” said Walicki. “This year, [the volunteer supervisors] worked us hard throughout the day, but at night, Habitat board members and other locals welcomed us into their homes and fed us delicious meals. The incoming Dean of Faculty at Hamilton, Suzanne Keen, saw my group featured on the Lexington local news and invited us to her house for dinner, which was lovely.”
Through this cooperative experience, students gained new knowledge, friends, and a feeling of success. “I learned how to use many power tools that I’ve never used before, and it was also great to see part of the process of how a house is constructed. I also made some new friendships with the people on my team, which is good,” said Mogor. “I’m very happy with what my group accomplished. We made a lot of progress on the houses while we were there.”
Walicki agreed: “I have loved both of my trips. I got to see parts of the country that I normally wouldn’t visit, meet fun and driven Hamilton students, and most importantly make a difference in a community in need.”
