Alternative Break Trips / Warm a Winter Wish / Sport Clubs / P.R.O. Motion / Student Officials Association

Alternative Break Trips

Spring Break Service Trip: Bahamas (March 2012 - TRIP FULL) Trip Information Sheet / 2011 Newsletter
Join us as we venture out to New Providence Island in the Bahamas! You will receive training on facilitation of teambuilding activities, youth programs and fitness education. We will work with Uriah McPhee Primary School to provide activities and programs using portable equipment including ropes, hula hoops, throwables and anything else needed to provide the atmosphere of fun. The focus is to provide life skills such as communication and respect through activities while having as much fun as possible. You will interact with children, teachers and parents and have the opportunity to experience the real Bahamas! Total Cost: Estimated trip fees are $850-$1000.  This includes training, lodging, ground transportation, flight and some meals. This trip cost is based on the amount of fundraising the group chooses to do.  Contact the following trip leaders for more information: Keala Mason (masonka@jmu.edu) or Drew Loso (losodm@jmu.edu).

Spring Break Service Trip: Gila Wilderness (March 2011)
UREC's Adventure Program led a hike through the magnificent Gila Wilderness in southern New Mexico and then built a footbridge out of 100% recycled material.

Thanksgiving Break Service Trip: Joshua Tree (November 2010)
UREC's Adventure Program led a trip to California to explore Joshua Tree National Park. During the trip, we participated in both climbing and service excursions. For lodging, we camped in the scenic park. The park has amazing camping with desert mountain views.

Warm a Winter Wish

Each year UREC sponsors a program called Warm A Winter Wish. The concept is similar to an “Angel Tree.” UREC receives wish lists of individuals and families from First Step, Mercy House and Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery. Their wishes are hung on a tree in UREC for faculty, staff, and students to fulfill. Our goals include:

• Extending the UREC mission to community with an emphasis on creating healthy life styles;
• Recognizing that gifts purchased connect to a community need and;
• Connecting community organizations to students, faculty and staff and vice versa.

Learn more about this annual service event!

Sport Clubs

The JMU Sport Club program members are incredibly dedicated to their sport and the JMU and Harrisonburg Community. We strive to emphasize recreational participation opportunities, student development and leadership, as well as community involvement. Our 45 teams have volunteered in over 50 different types of service activities, ranging from helping fellow club teams with home events to Adopt-a-Highway. Some of the most popular projects and activities are listed below:

• Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA
• Virginia Quilt Museum
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• R.I.S.E.
• Rockingham Memorial Hospital
• 5K Events (DR-100, ZTA, Donut Dash)
• Relay For Life
• Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation
• Lego League Tournament
• VDOT
• Adopt-A-Street
• Harrisonburg Rescue Squad
• Massanutten Regional Library
• University Program Board
• Food & Clothing Drives

The Sport Club program has been consistently involved with these causes. The total number of hours for this academic school year has reached at least 450 per month. With our growing program, we have also seen a significant increase in community participation as seen in the chart below showcasing our historical numbers.

MONTH	2011-2012	2010-2011	2009-2010
September	478.5	322	139
October	1055.5	791.25	135
November	586.33	895	427.5
December/January	1450.6	1751.32	234.5
February	611.16	678	346.5
March	484.5	486	98
April	TBD	989.5	1,017.5
TOTAL	4,666.09	5,913.07	2,398

The Sport Clubs in our program are always looking for new service opportunities. Do you have a service opportunity for a Sport Club? Contact Chris Jones at jones4cr@jmu.edu.

P.R.O. Motion

P.R.O.Motion, Peers Reaching Others Through Motion, is a peer education group made up of James Madison University Recreation (UREC) student employees. P.R.O.Motion provides wellness programs to community members of all ages to motivate them to make positive lifestyle choices. The group has recently volunteered at Mulligans Golf Center, VMRC, Sunnyside Communities, Peak View Elementary, Pleasant Valley Elementary School, and Harrisonburg Rehab Center.

Each educational program the group offers is paired with a physical activity like kickboxing and yoga to create a fun, interactive, and effective program. Our members enjoy creating a healthy learning environment for our participants. Volunteering with P.R.O.Motion has been a great learning experience for our members and we appreciate the enthusiasm that each participant brings to our programs. Please contact PROMotion at jmupromo@hotmail.com for more information.

Student Officials Association

Are you in need of officials for your community game, sport club event, fraternity/sorority event, or extramural tournament? If so, please contact Aaron Combs (combsad@jmu.edu or 540-568-8709). Learn more about the Student Officials Association!