I’m a huge fan of trying new things and meeting new people. Sure, it can be scary, but it is almost always worth it.

At some point during the fall semester, I sent in an application to participate in my school’s Alternative Spring Break. I figured that either I could go home for spring break and be relatively bored and do nothing, or I could volunteer in a cool location and make new friends. The latter seemed much more exciting.

Spring break came, and I, along with seven other students and our group leader, left for Kiptopeke State Park. We barely knew each other but got along very well at our first meeting, and I was feeling pumped.

The trip was nothing like anything I had ever experienced before, and I realized that these trips are really a once in a lifetime opportunity. We got to work outside, explore the park and stay in a really neat cabin. I have never spent so much time working outdoors, and I loved every minute of it. This type of volunteering confirmed that I would like to work in a park one day. The group I was with also became fast friends, and I am confident we will all remain in close contact. So far, we’ve been successful. We managed to sing and dance almost the entire time we were working, and we constantly cracked jokes and had lots of fun.

The rangers were all really cool, and I admire the type of work that they do. It is very important to conserve these parks and to make sure that they bring money in, because the Trump Administration may try to de-fund them. The parks are essential to our earth, as they bring people closer to nature and have them realize how important it is.

Of course, in order to volunteer, you do not have to be outside, do any work that is strenuous or even go on a week long trip. You can volunteer locally, and you can go to a food pantry or a nursing home. You can also help out at your local park, or even just go around and pick up trash that you see and be conscious about recycling and limiting your plastic use.

If you do ever have an opportunity to go on a trip, however, I would highly highly recommend it. ASB was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I really don’t think there is anything else quite like it. I can’t wait until my next volunteer trip when I get to meet even more new people, see another beautiful park and get to volunteer outdoors surrounded by nature and lots of beautiful scenery.