Statesman

Issue date: 3/10/10 Section: Variety

Media Credit: Jerron Boser/SUBMITTED

Media Credit: Jerron Boser Last spring break a group of UMD students went to Miss. to help rebuild houses after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

There are endless possibilities for what to do over spring break. Go out of the country, to a different state or even just to somewhere warm to have fun. For a group of 90 people that are going to Biloxi, Miss., this isn't your typical spring break.

While in Mississippi, the group won't just be relaxing and getting a tan; they will be helping families that have been affected by the hurricane damage from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

Monte Gomke of the Diversity Commission and part of the planning group said that they will be doing dry walling, roofing, siding, flooring and a tiny bit of framing and yard work.

The hurricanes may have occurred five years ago, but that doesn't mean the amount of work to be done is minimal. The work this group does is greatly appreciated by those families who have lost so much from the hurricanes.

This trip may not be for everyone, but it's a great way to see if it's the right thing for you. Many students may feel that this trip wouldn't be useful for them. UMD student Christine Wagner will be attending this trip for the second time this year but felt the same way her first time going.

"One of my concerns when I went for the first time last year was that I would not be 'helpful' or useful because I had little to no experience in reconstruction work. However, the way that the groups are set up is so that a skilled leader can teach people how to do a skill and then will supervise and help the job get done," Wagner said. "So not only are people making a difference in the area, but they are most likely going to learn how to do something they didn't know how to do before they went."

For the past four years the UMD Diversity Commission, Lutheran Campus Ministry and United Campus Ministry has put on this service trip for all students and adults in the Duluth area.

"Even though the trip is organized by two religious organizations, the trip is not faith based and is open to people of all creeds and ways of being," Wagner said.

With everyone welcome to join, the group leaves the first Saturday of spring break and comes back the following Sunday evening.

The group will be doing a little more than just reconstruction.

"Several of the activities that people will be taking part in are attending a family friendly St. Patrick's day parade in Gulfport, Miss.; taking a tour on the Gulf of Mexico on a shrimping boat; taking a self-guided walking tour of Biloxi area, and/or relaxing on beach that is right across from the place we are staying," Wagner said.

While there is a good amount of fun stuff to do during the evening, the group still has most of their days planned out for them from the day they leave to the day they arrive back home.

"We take two coach buses from UMD to Mississippi and stay in a volunteer-oriented camp for the week, work a full day each day and have a variety of fun activities set up for the evenings," said Luke Wilson, UMD alumna that will be joining the group for a second time.

Wilson graduated in December of 2009 and enjoyed the trip so much he's going again and encourages others to think about participating next year.

"It is too late to sign up this year, but I would greatly encourage students to give it a shot next year, it's a great experience," Wilson said. "Helping families get back into their homes is a great feeling, especially when they've been waiting as long as they have."

If you're interested in going next year be sure to watch your e-mail from November to January because multiple e-mails will be sent out about the trip, including information and meetings about it.

In addition, if anyone is interested in starting a group like this one, contact Gomke.

"I had an inquiring from another school and I'm more than happy to sit down and explain how to put together [a service trip]," Gomke said.

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