What's New

Spring Break 2009

This year, approximately 180 Eckerd students and faculty participated in full-time service in 15 different locations around the world. From New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward to the jungles of Ecuador, from AIDS hospices in Miami to mosques in Berlin, Eckerd students spent the week serving others and also reflecting on the work that was accomplished.

But it wasn't serious business 24/7 during the week! Students had time to explore the areas where they served. The group serving in Panama explored Spanish ruins, the Puerto Rico group took a swim in a waterfall and the volunteers in Jamaica hit the beaches more than once, of course.

Eckerd spring breaks are one of the best bargains out there. The average cost for each project ran only $475 per student for the week and included airfare, lodging, food and transportation. Generous gifts from ECOS, the Dean of Students, PEL and the good work of our Advancement Office made spring break possible.

Panama - 13 students and Director of Service-Learning Brian MacHarg traveled to Panama this spring break to do volunteer work at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Hogar Divino Nino, a Catholic-run orphanage for very young children.

New Orleans - 11 Eckerd College students spent their spring break working in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans focusing on continued Hurricane relief and Environmental Justice.

Costa Rica, Rainsong - Students work at Rainsong, a small wildlife sanctuary in the tiny town of Cabuya, Costa Rica.

Nicaragua - Students spend their Spring Break in La Paz digging holes for bio-gas systems.

Miami - 12 students from Eckerd College and Associate Chaplain Andrew Black explore the complex intersection of HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Race, and Immigration while directly serving those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Ft. Lauderdale/ Miami.

Guatemala - 13 students traveled to the Petén state of northern Guatemala to volunteer for ARCAS, a wildlife rescue and conservation association.

Puerto Rico - 13 Eckerd students traveled to Patillas, Puerto Rico to work with Tropic Ventures at Las Casas de la Selva, a 1000 acre rainforest preserve and research site for sustainable forestry.

Costa Rica, Sloth Preserve - 11 students traveled to Cahuita, Costa Rica to spend their time working with sloths at Aviarios del Caribe.

Virginia - 11 students return to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia.

Ecuador - Students head to Quito to Puyo and then to the Arutam reserve to work and live with the Shuar, an indigenous community.

Peru - A group of 11 students spend their Spring Break in Lima, Peru working with Niño Luz, an organization that is located in the community of 30 de Mayo.

Louisiana - 10 Eckerd students embarked on a journey up to the Louisiana bayou to a town called Houma to provide hurricane relief for the Houma Nation, an as yet federally unrecognized Native American tribe in the bayou area.

Jamaica - 12 students head to Montego Bay, Jamaica to complete a week's worth of service with the Mustard Seed Organization, a group that assists individuals who are suffering from HIV/AIDS and mental and physical handicaps.

Berlin - 13 students traveled to Berlin, Germany to learn about the issue of Arab/Muslim immigration in Europe.

Bahamas - Students travel to the Bahamas to work at a local YMCA that is still recovering from the multiple hurricanes of 2005.