Shack-A-Thon is a Wake County Habitat-For-Humanity fundraiser that North Carolina State puts on every fall. Normally this happens during our rainiest week of the fall and by the end of the week, some of the less durable shacks are close to flooding.

Shack-A-Thon is when clubs and organizations build shacks and live in the shack for five days of a school week. At least one person has to be in the shack at all times during this week, including overnight. Afterward, the reusable plywood goes to actual houses Habitat-For-Humanity builds.

Over the past twenty years since the event first started, we have raised over $450,000 for the cause. This year we are lucky enough to have 19 student shacks and over 45 different clubs have come together to make this possible.

During the week many fundraisers are put on by the clubs to help raise money such as selling cookies or playing in a round of H-O-R-S-E in over-the-door basketball.

My sorority partnered with a fraternity and we are working together for this worthy cause.

This year I slept in the shack for the first time ever and what an experience it was. While some shacks went all out and brought in couches to make the shack more homey feeling, my shack team did the bare minimum.

Luckily my friend had the great idea to bring yoga mats, and if not for those we certainly would have gotten splinters in the night. While it was not the best night of sleep, it was not the worst I have had.

With a blanket, pillow and yoga mat, we made the shack as comfortable as possible. We even order pokey sticks, an NC State must-have late night snack, to make the time more enjoyable.

Minus being attacked by mosquitos, it was a fun experience and I am glad I can check that off my college bucket list. This chance to give up sleeping in beds for a less glamorous sleeping arrangement gave me a greater appreciation for those who do not have homes and have to deal with sleeping in the elements every single night.