Courtesy of oceancity.shownbyphotos.com | Each year, world renowned sand sculptor, Randy Hofman, creates large sand sculptures that attract attention and open conversations at South Padre Island.

As Spring Break draws near, many students may find themselves at a loss for plans. Others are anticipating a week at some interesting location.

For students in the former group, there are options that do not include the typical college antics for Spring Break.

The first of these options is to go on a mission trip with a local organization or church. The West Texas A&M Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) annually goes to South Padre Island to team up with other BSMs for a mission called Beach Reach.

Several students sign up and go through a five-week training period to minister to students who have chosen to walk on the wilder side of things for Spring Break.

“My view was that most missions are overseas,” Tabbitha Burnett, WT student and Beach Reach participant, said. “I like that we could give back to college friends who we see and know.

WT’s very own BSM director, Buddy Young, was a co-founder for Beach Reach in 1980 when he was in seminary and a part-time Baptist Student Ministry director in Dallas.

“I was contacted by a guy who knew I had lived in Hawaii and that I understood beach culture,” Young said. “He told me of all the college students that needed help during Spring Break on South Padre Island. We went down there, saw the needs and came up with ideas of how to meet them.”

Once in Padre, the students are split up in teams and are driven around by an adult leader in a taxi.

They pick up college students in need of a ride and take them where they need to go. All the while to the destination, the BSM students look for opportunities to minister to the passengers.

“I think the great thing is students helping students,” Young said. “It’s nice to see them help and give up their Spring Break to do so. This year there are 66 people from the Panhandle going.”

Now, not only are spring breakers offered free rides, but also free breakfast, sunscreen, water and counseling if it is needed.

“Beach Reach is a servant ministry,” Young said. “Its purpose is to serve the people. We don’t go down there and beat them over the head with a bible. We just meet their needs and hope they see a higher influence in us. We want to give them a different perspective on Christianity.”

This mission is a great opportunity for students who enjoy helping others. Also, they still get to go to a great location.

Beach Reach has now expanded to Panama City Beach, Florida and other Spring Break sites. If you want more information about Beach Reach or are interested in participating next year, you can visit the website.

Several churches in the Canyon and Amarillo area also offer mission trips. Hillside Christian Church, which is popular with many WT students, is offering two missions, one to Mexico and the other to Belize.

For the students who do not feel comfortable with the ministry part of church missions, but still want to help others on their time off, there is also the idea of volunteer work.

There are several non-profit organizations, such as United Way and Habitat for Humanity, that offer opportunities for volunteer work.

Students might also check with their hometown for any mission or volunteer opportunities.

Speaking of hometowns, there are several students that use this weeklong break as a chance to go home and see their families.

This may sound boring, but for students who live states, or even countries, away from their loved ones, it is a relief to have time to go home.

There are alternatives to the wild and irresponsible Spring Breaks of the past. Choose an opportunity to give rather than take this Spring Break.