Yes, that’s right. it’s starting to feel like home. Well, maybe not home , but something close to it. We actually got asked directions a couple of times, which of course made us feel pretty good. Don’t get me wrong we’ve still had our navigating troubles, but it’s getting easier. We started the morning with a tour . . .
2014 Central Oklahoma Debate Institute
Dates: July 20-July 26th
You can access the application here: 2014 CODI Student Application Packet
Costs:
Registration Before June 1
Cost of Institute: $300
Cost of Housing: $200
Registration After June 1
Cost of Institute: $350
Cost of Housing: :$225
. . .
Work and play
So we had a very eventful day! It began with us volunteering at the Wabash Ave YMCA . Once we got there deante,the program director instructed half of us to assist with organizing equipment while the other half of us went upstairs and cleaned and organized the gymnasium storage room. When we completed the closeup it looked different,allotting more . . .
Day one in Nashville is complete!
Yesterday was our first full day in Nashville and first day to volunteer, and it was perfect! We started the day at the men’s center of the Nashville
Rescue Mission at 9am. Where we were taken to the basement to get to work. We met our wonderful supervisor BB, as they call him, who is a product of the Men’s Life Recovery program at The Mission. . . .
Lunch with a view
We took a break from work to eat lunch near the Geology Museum.
Day One of Service
The ASB Grand Canyon trip got the ball rolling today with our first day working on wildfire prevention with the National Park Service. In conjunction with ongoing efforts to be proactive in controlling impact of natural wildfire at the park, we assisted in thinning almost 4 acres of brush. The efforts of prescribed burns and controlling vegetation . . .
Wabash Bash
Today was so great we got to learn about the rich history of our service site the Wabash YMCA. When African Americans were denied access to other YMCA the Wabash was the first of its kind to admit them. I am really honored that I have an opportunity contribute to this landmark of Black and American History.
Today we had the chance to discover some . . .
Checking in from Chicago
Hey everybody, what an interesting trip my team an I had coming to Chicago! We started off early from UCO. As our trip progressed, we got caught in a snow storm and got stuck in some major highway traffic. As we got closer to Chicago we became more excited about the opportunity we had to serve. Our housing is amazing and the city is beautiful. I . . .
Music City Bound
The Alternative Spring Break Nashville group has been up and at ’em today! We fought the Oklahoma wind and a little rain, jammed our luggage into a big van-which feels significantly smaller with 11 people plus luggage, made a short pit stop at Starbucks, and headed toward Tennessee. All before 7am. Impressive right?
As the student leader who spent countless hours planning the entire trip, selected the nine other wonderful students, and trained them on our purpose in Nashville I couldn’t be more excited to get this trip started! Our group will be collaborating with the Nashville Rescue Mission to serve the hungry and homeless. The Mission offers emergency services including 3 meals a day, shelter, clothing, day time accommodations, hot showers and personal hygiene items for men, women, and children. The Mission is open 365 days of the year and is continually filled to capacity. When trying to select a city and social issue to focus on during this trip, Nashville was the clear choice for me. So often we think of Nashville as just ‘Music City’ and a tourist hotspot. In reality it is a city stricken with hunger and homelessness. Hunger and homelessness is an epidemic in this country, Oklahoma, and undoubtably even effects students at Central. Hopefully during this trip we will be able to make a small difference in lives of those in Nashville, and see a little of Music City too!
Last year I was fortunate enough to participate in ASB New York and that experience made a lasting expression on my life. Not only did I see the world a little differently after I served families who had their homes destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, but I made wonderful friendships and memories to last a life time. And that’s what I hope my team comes away from this trip with. I already see so many good qualities in my team because it takes a special kind of person to give up their Spring Break to serve, but I hope something changes inside of them. As the first year for a student to lead other students during an Alternative Spring Break trip, there’s nothing I want more than for my team to have a life changing experience just like I did in New York. I hope for them to see the world a little differently. For them to want to continue serving with a happy heart well after this trip has ended. For them to be transformed forever because of things they see and do this week.
Throughout the week each student will have a chance to blog about their experiences so hopefully you will get to see their transformation with me. I will give daily updates on what we are up to-both serving and sight seeing, and will post lots of fun photos so you can see Music City with us!
More when we get to Nashville!
-Abbey Canaday
Introduction
Hi everyone! My name is Laci and I am on the Grand Canyon ASB trip. I’m a senior here at UCO studying biology with a minor in chemistry. We are currently eating breakfast at a hotel in Gallup, NM before we continue on to Arizona. I’m excited to spend this time with my team, see the Grand Canyon, and do some volunteer work. I can’t . . .