Spring 2009 Trips
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Redwood National and State Parks
California
Led by Alisha Saville '09 and Michelle Fournier '09
Information coming soon
Mammoth Cave National Park
Cave City, KY
Led by Jacques Nguyen '11 and Eric Skelnik
For two weeks during spring break, nine students volunteered to work help maintain and improve the park. We worked under the surpervision of Ranger Larry Johnson alongside another alternative break group from Winthrop University in South Carolina. Our projects during the first week included clearing trails of plants and debris, closing off old paths by dragging fallen branches and drebris into them, dismantling bridges, carrying cinder blocks out of the forest, and clearing other areas of fallen trees and branches that were down due to an ice storm in late January. After each workday, the group was given the opportunity to hike to various points of interest around the park, from caves and waterfalls to historic American Indian burial sites. During our stay, we learned a lot about the history of the park, as well as the native flora and fauna both above ground and in the cave system. Our group was treated to four cave tours, we spend approximately 1-12 hours underground. Experiencing a few bats, many c
ave crickets, thousand year-old gypsum crystals, underground rivers and waterfalls, old American Indian artifacts, the remains from centruries-old mining operations and, for some of the group, some of the few stalactite and stalagmite formations that exist in the behemoth cave.
Ozark Trail Association
Postosi, MO
Led by Matthew Zmudka '11 and Hannah Sagin '11
Ten students traveled to work with the Ozark Trail Association on constructing new trails at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. There they constructed about 1/2 mile of brand new trail as well as cleanup on several other stretches, packing lunch each day and bonding over group dinners and activities at night. The trip also included an educational weekend in St. Louis, visiting a zoo, the City Museum, and Cahokia Mounds while learning more about the Missouri region and culture. Our leader with the Oazrk Trail Association, John Roth, taught us a lot about the region historically and geographically, and we came back having both built trail and gained a better understanding of the Ozarks.
Examining Issues of Urban Poverty
St. Louis, MO area
Led by Macaela Holmes and Jordan Allison
Six Grinnellians went to the St Louis area for a service-oriented Alternative Break trip. The trip, entitled "Examining Issues of Urban Poverty", was planned because St. Louis is an urban area within drving distance that suffered from many complex issues relating to poverty and homelessness. Two day were spent with the Jewish Family and Children's Service where the group helped with the "Canstruction" competition held at the St Louis Mills Mall which donated food to a local food pantry. The second day was spent at the food pantry that received the donations from the organization and distribution of food for families in need. The next organization that the Grinnellians volunteered for was the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. In addition to interacting with the children, the students also cleaned up a playground, helped prepare for their annual fundraiser called the "Razzle Dazzle Ball", and reorganized the closet of donated clothing. One day was spent at "Operation Food Search" where the students assemble back
packs of food for underprivileged children who otherwise may not have had food available at home during the weekend. Next, the Grinnellians went to the Red Cross where they assisted with AIDS awareness education and made chocolate roses in order to help fundraise for the Red Cross Measles Vaccine program. The final two days were spent at the "St. Louis Area Foodbank" where the students assisted in sorting through donations and labeling food with the ingredient list - something that must be on every food item that is distributed. This trip was an extremely rewarding experience which served to illustrate the complexity of the issues surrounding poverty and homelessness in an urban setting and the positive impact volunteering can have on others' lives.
We were also lucky enough to be fed every night by our generous alumni.
Thank you to the following!
Erik and Linda Kocher, both '84, David Molho '82, Tony '61 and Melanie Fathman Blair, Corey '90 and Shelia Jones John Stopple '60's, Krisitn Groetsch'91, Emily and Randy Edgel both '96 and Mr. Wice '72 and his son Sam Wice '09
