Coordinating Restorative Fun
Written By Daisy Willis
Previous Break Thru Adventures Students getting their hands dirty. Photo provided by the Break Thru Adventures website, http://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/ssc/BreakThruAdventures.php#whatisbta
At the University of Hawaii at Hilo there are a myriad of opportunities for students to become integrated with the beauty and culture of our island. Break Thru Adventures is a program for students interested in spending their Spring Break exploring other islands of Hawaii and volunteering to restore local sites, control the growth of invasive plants, and learn about how Native Hawaiians have traditionally treated and respected the land. Break Thru Adventures is a wonderful program that promotes volunteering and cultural awareness for everyone involved.
Beginning this semester, Shara Mahoe is the Campus and Community Service Coordinator (CCS). CCS houses the Break Thru adventures program and is responsible for choosing the special few students that will be part of the program as student leaders. Shara spoke about the opportunities involved with being one of these leaders, saying that “student leaders take on the responsibility of leading other students on their island trips. Being a BTA student leader, you're given the opportunity to interview students, select participants, coordinate fundraisers, hold island meetings, plan the 5 day trip, and most of all, be the on- island contact. We select leaders who have gone on previous trips but encourage those who want to get involved with Eco service learning opportunities throughout the school year to contact us.”
Break Thru Adventures, a program to help you "Seek EdVentures" outside the classroom. Logo provided by the Break Thru Adventures website, http://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/ssc/BreakThruAdventures.php#whatisbta
This role of being a student leader for the BTA program comes with alot of responsibility, but the perks are rewarding. Shara strongly believes that everyone in the program stands to benefit, saying that “Each student will take their own piece from their BTA experience. Someone may enjoy meeting the people who take care of the 'āina [or land], and someone else may enjoy hauling trees and branches, but in the end we want the students to appreciate the experience of doing service or giving back. BTA isn't just a vacation, it's lending a hand to the community that does this for a living. [We hope for the students to] leave an impact [during those] 5 days. The sites that we are going to this year have welcomed BTA back for many years, and we want to keep tradition and show our appreciation for the job that they are doing.”
If you are interested in giving back to the ‘āina during your free time this semester, go to the Break Thru adventures website to apply for the program. Shara is also available as a contact for those who wish to step up and take on the exciting duties of being a BTA student leader in this semester’s trip.
