LEAP-Alternative Break announced three upcoming experiences for Spring Break from March 4 to 11, 2023. The three experiences include Give Kids the World, Carolina Tiger Rescue and Guanin.
The LEAP alternative break program stands for leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. Megan Boone Valkenberg, coordinator of civic engagement, has been advising these experiences for more than 17 years.
Valkenberg said that these smaller “bite sized” experiences are a really good way for students to ease into getting back into travel and seeing how an alternative break can impact future plans and majors.
Give Kids the World is a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida that provides critically ill children and their families a place to stay. They are treated to weeklong vacations with lots of activities and meals at no cost.
Volunteers can expect to be put to work in a variety of different roles. In the past, students have bussed tables, operated small rides such as trains and carousels and even baked cookies and delivered them to the families staying at the resort. The site also holds parades once a week and students also can participate in the parades with various costumes.
Participants spend most of their time volunteering, but one excursion day is provided. Teams can either spend the day at Disney World or Universal Studios.
Valkenberg said that the experience is great for, but not limited to, healthcare students and describes the experience as gaining a “sense of families and kids that you may experience in your working world.”
Carolina Tiger Rescue is a wildcat rescue facility that houses various wildcats, including lions, tigers, mountain lions, bobcats, and jaguars, and is located in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
Volunteers won’t know their tasks until they actually arrive at the facility, but can expect physical activity outdoors. In the past, students demolished older enclosures and helped build new housing for the animals. They also completed trail work, like removing trees and working around the facility grounds to keep them in shape.
The facility values education and advocacy towards animals, and so volunteers are educated on the various topics related to wildlife conservation and care along with tending to facility grounds.
Fundación Centro Cultural Guanín, Inc. is an organization that helps young people to discover, develop and achieve their full potential as adults, citizens and leaders. Located in the Dominican Republic, the program acts as a pillar of the community they are in.
Volunteers can expect to work with individuals in the community to participate in ESL teaching experiences with real students, as well as help with medical clinics and food distributions and handling. In past events, students helped new mothers with their babies and aspiring students in the medical field got to help take blood pressures and medical intake.
They have been in partnership with LEAP for more than 10 years and “there are a lot of things that students can provide,” Valkenberg explains.
Valkenberg also mentioned that during intercession, there is an opportunity to do some Hurricane Ian relief work with All Hearts and Hands in Florida.
Each experience is organized and prepared in similar ways: There are one to two advisers who accompany students, and there are four pre-trip meetings where they go over trip expectations, student responsibilities and getting to know one another. Then there is the experience itself and finally a re-orientation which helps students reorient themselves back to student life.
Space is limited as there are only 10 spaces available for the Give Kids the World and Carolina Tiger Rescue experiences and 20 spaces available for the Guanin experience.
The deadline to apply for the spring break opportunities is being extended to Nov. 18, and can be found on Today@Wilkes.
Contact [email protected] for more information.