Tailgating and football are typical events that occur during fall weekends on campuses across the nation.
However, MSU is offering an alternative to escape the autumn gloom and do something productive.
MSU Alternative Weekends, which allow students to travel across Michigan and take part in community services, are back for a second year.
The weekends are similar to those of the Alternative Spring Break, but the trip is only two or three days and costs about $30.
Sara Ramsey, packaging sophomore and chairperson for Alternative Weekends, got the idea at a Michigan Youth Progressive Action Council meeting when someone suggested it to her.
“It’s like the Alternative Spring Break, except its much shorter,” she said. “We’re planning to do two this semester and four next semester.
“Last spring we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes and did a forest cleanup project.”
This semester, the group will travel to the Detroit area to work with Motor City Blight Busters on Oct. 26-27.
The group will help work on cleaning up the inner city.
The other weekend trip, Nov. 16-18, will be to The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning in Mayville, Mich., located in the thumb of Michigan. There, volunteers will work with physically and mentally disabled youth.
Amy Rabe, Alternative Spring Break chairperson, said having these options available to students is great.
“I think it’s a good experience for students to get out of their college bubble and make a positive impact,” the music education senior said.
Rabe said there are 17 sites throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico for this year’s Alternative Spring Break. In previous years, students have gone to Indian reservations for the week on one of the trips.
The cost for the October weekend is $35 and the November weekend is $30. The costs pay for transportation, lodging and some meals.
There are plenty of spots available for the first trip and only two remaining for the November weekend.
Those interested in participating can sign up in room 27 Student Services. For more information, call Ramsey at (517) 355-9368 or e-mail her at kvetching@hotmail.com.
