Firsthand Account - Kelley Lewis (Hands On Mississippi 2011)

Kelley Lewis is a senior, public relations major who attended one of the two CareBreaks that traveled to Mississippi.  She is part of Delta Zeta here at Slippery Rock University.  Her group worked in a nature environment doing a variety of activities. You can read about some of these activities in her account of her trip below. Enjoy!

When one thinks of spring break they think of partying, sleeping, getting tan, and having the ultimate time. When I think of spring break 2011 service, friends, mud, and tornados come to mind. I went to Ocean Springs, Mississippi to help with the Hands On program.  Although the weather wasn’t the greatest of conditions when we were there, it was still an experience I would have not traded for anything.

The work we did was more so for nature, but really fun. We took a boat out to the middle of the Gulf of Mexico to an island where birds were nesting. In order to keep the birds there and not be disturbed by people, we posted signs and helped clean up. It was great working in the sand.  Another day we got to clear trails for a park. I never thought walking through knee high mud and venturing in the woods could be fun, but somehow that’s what we made it.

The best part about Care Break trips is making memories with old friends and meeting new ones while giving back to people who truly appreciate what you do.

                                                                                                   -Kelley Lewis

*Be on the lookout for upcoming CareBreak announcements, including trip location!*