Emily Winter of Chesapeake Participates in Alternative Spring Break Trip

2015 Mar 24

Chesapeake, VA resident Emily Winter spent spring break serving others through James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Winter, a seniorCommunication Studies major, traveled to West Milford, New Jersey to volunteer with Camp Vacamas.

The student-led ASB trips took place from March 7-14. Each trip focused on a social issue, such as homelessness, resettlement, environmentalism or community wellness, in a specific region. Almost 300 students embarked on 23 spring break trips around the country and world. The students spent the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group.

Camp Vacamas is a summer camp for inner-city youth that provides local kids with a non-competitive and supportive environment encouraging campers to set new goals and develop self-confidence, responsibility and leadership. While staying cozy in the camp cabins, JMU students prepared the camp for the summer through grounds work wherever help was needed, all while enhancing the lives of the kids through after school programs in the Bronx.

For information about JMU's award winning Alternative Break Program, visit www.jmu.edu/abp.