There is a trend taking hold at Saint Peter’s University that has been dubbed “alternative spring break.” Instead of spending spring break partying with friends or relaxing poolside, many Saint Peter’s students have chosen to study abroad or participate in service projects. A recent example of an “alternative spring break” was a trip to West Virginia to volunteer in Appalachia in which nine students, lead by two Saint Peter’s chaperones, traveled eight hours by van.
“It’s easy to picture urban poverty here in Jersey City, but the Appalachian experience allows students to see what rural poverty looks like,” said Christine Boyle, director of campus ministry and Appalachian spring break chaperone.
The students spent the week at Bethlehem Farm, which is a Catholic community in Appalachia that,“Transforms lives through service with the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices,” according to their website. While there, students were guided by four principles: prayer, community, simplicity and service. The week was structured around prayer, chores around the house and farm and working at service sites on a rotating basis.
Each morning, the volunteers woke up early, around 6:30 a.m. to complete tasks around the farm, including growing vegetables and taking care of the chickens. Another group would stay home and cook meals. Other groups performed work in the community including installing windows and ceiling insulation.
“The experience intellectualizes our own mission. It brings it into reality and impacts our students on a much deeper level,” said Boyle.
Part of the experience was to live simply. The students were required to use a sawdust toilet, take a bucket shower outdoors, and compost and teracycle all their food waste. The group’s use of technology was limited and at some points banned.
“I found myself experiencing more and more from each day without an attachment to my phone or technology. Instead of browsing pointless links on Reddit, I read a book. Instead of playing a video game alone, I played a card or board game with friends,” said Ryan Cramer ’19, cyber security major from Barnegat, N.J.
Lia Finnegan ’20, a history and secondary education major from Bayonne, N.J., decided to go to Appalachia on spring break because she wanted to immerse herself in something new.
“I think it is important to mention that this trip was a huge lesson in getting out of one’s comfort zone,” Finnegan said. She referred to the ban on cell phones and the nightly electricity “fast” as being difficult, but rewarding in the end.
Finnegan’s team worked on a house that needed a new ceiling. They installed the fiberglass insulation and drywall. She admitted it took them a few tries to get the process correct, but they were able to complete their project before the week was over.
“The most important lesson I learned on this trip was the value of simplicity and how we should appreciate basic things like energy and resources,” said Finnegan. “I’ve implemented this mindset into my life in Jersey City by doing things as simple as not wasting water and making sure to recycle any items I am able to.”
“This year, I put a lot of my time into community service and charity through campus ministry. The trip sounded like a fun way to get away from the complications of life for a week and devote a great amount of time to service,” Cramer said.
During the trip, Cramer worked on a team that installed windows. One of the houses they worked on did not have windows even though it was March. Cramer expressed that it was rewarding to help them because it is hard to imagine living in a place without windows when it is cold outside.
“Service work is incredibly rewarding, because I not only learn a lot but I have some irreplaceable experiences with wonderful people,” said Cramer.
