Newman Center Alternative Spring Break 2010

Where: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

When: March 13-20

What: The purpose of this trip is to do service and meet new friends.  While there will be some religious activities, it will not be run as a retreat.  We will be working with the United Methodist Relief Center to help build and repair homes for low-income individuals.  This organization was founded after Hurricane Hugo left much of southern South Carolina in ruins.  Throughout their relief efforts, they realized how much sub-standard housing existed, especially in the rural areas of the state, and UMRC decided to continue their wonderful work.  To date, they have repaired more than 2000 homes and constructed at least 66 new homes.  For more information and pictures of past construction projects, check out their website at http://www.umrc.org/.

Logistics: We have room for 25 students to attend.  The cost is $250 per person.  However, we will have fundraising activities to cover the many other expenses of the trip.  We will drive down to SC in mini-vans and will cook most of our meals at the retreat house.

Due Date: This trip is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tentative Schedule of the Week:

Saturday March 13: Leave DC on Sat. morning for SC; arrive at the volunteer house in the early evening and be briefed about our work for the week.

Sunday: Mass, then off to the beach to relax!

Monday – Friday: Work on the repair projects assigned for the week.
-Wednesday: We are going to try to only work half of the day, so we will be able to do some sightseeing in Charleston and relax.
-There will be some nights when we go bowling, roller skating, to the movies, out to dinner, etc.  If the fundraising goes well there will be no additional cost for these events.
-Mass will be offered every evening for those interested in participating, as well as several short reflections throughout the week.

Saturday:  Pack up, clean the volunteer house, and head back to DC. 

Contacts:  For more information email Meg Miller at meg@gwcatholic.com.  

In order to sign up you must bring your payment to Meg’s office and be sure to give your name, email, and phone number, so we can begin preparing for our trip.

Pictures From Last Year's Spring Break Trip