Spring Break doesn’t have to mean Spring Broke
If your kids are in middle school, you have some time to relax before the real pressure about Spring Break kicks in. Enjoy this time while you can.
However if you have high school or college-aged kids, you’re likely challenged with the financial and social aspects of Spring Break. Fortunately there are many more options than just bikini clad beaches for young people and I, like all of you, am trying to steer my kids toward the milder excursions or even contributing to society in some way.
Why? First of all, beyond concerns about bikini contests and beer, Spring Break is expensive! It’s during this time that airfare and hotel rates are at their highest. The average student spends over $1,200 just to come back with zero in their bank account, a bad sunburn and credit card debt.
So I perused the internet searching for affordable alternatives to steer my teens in a direction I can support in heart and wallet. Together we agreed upon some great adventures that have both financial and personal rewards.
I was thrilled to discover that MTV and many others promote what’s called Alternative Spring Break, listing opportunities to help others in need and have the most rewarding time of your life. If MTV promotes something, it has to be cool!
Habitat for Humanity hosts what’s known as Spring Break Collegiate Challenges throughout the country including many great locales in Florida, the Gulf region and the southwest including California. These are regions that score high on any teen or young adult’s list.
Embrace the great outdoors and clean up the environment with the SCA (Student Conservation Association). Their excursions include working and exploring the magnificent Grand Canyon. Students enjoy hiking the Grand Canyon’s beautiful trails while also removing graffiti and accomplishing important vegetation projects.
If you seek a more international experience, Amizade is an organization you may want to consider. Amizade is the Portuguese word for friendship. They offer global service learning and volunteer programs throughout the world taking young people to the regions of Jamaica, Mexico, Ireland and beyond.
Alternative Spring Break excursions are not only affordable, but they contribute to our environment and society. My teens were far more accepting of these programs than I ever anticipated. This is real adventure for far less expense and the money they are saving, I’ve offered to match and deposit in their U22 savings account.
Visit www.U224U.com to learn more about GTE Federal Credit Union’s youth checking account and credit card. Because money is important no matter what your age.
