While some students may kick back on sandy beaches or destinations far away for their spring break, 53 Warriors will stick around the city for Alternative Spring Break Detroit (ASBD).

Through volunteer service, learning experiences and cultural awareness, ASBD hopes to dispel many of the negative stereotypes attached to the Motor City. The hope is to facilitate a greater appreciation for Detroit. From March 13 through 16, these students will be immersed in a variety of experiences to better understand and enjoy their own backyard.

“I think a lot of people assume that spring break is a week off to relax and catch up. ASBD is anything but this,” said Devon Sterk, coordinator of student life, legacy and affinity programs in WSU’s Dean of Students Office. “The students are on the go for more than 12 hours each day — from exploring different neighborhoods, learning about Detroit's history, hearing community members share their love for Detroit, participating in service projects and eating, there really is little room to rest.”

Though volunteering is the backbone of the ASBD experience, students also will be provided with the opportunity to learn about Detroit's past and present, dine at restaurants throughout the city, and visit local art galleries and other cultural hot spots. They also will get to know how movers and shakers from nonprofit organizations, local government, WSU, urban businesses and the art community are playing key roles in the city's revitalization.

Some of the spots highlighted in this year’s ASBD include Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Plum Street Market Garden (pictured, from last year's ASBD), the Children’s Center, Eastern Market and the Detroit Historical Museum.

“We want students to remain engaged in Detroit beyond Wayne State's campus,” Sterk said. “We seek to provide students with awareness of different organizations and agencies that they can continue to work with throughout the year after the Alternative Spring Break Detroit program.”

ASBD is primarily a student-run program. Past participants can apply to be student leaders on the trip. Students select the morning activities aimed at exploring Detroit's rich and diverse history. The leaders choose their service sites and the restaurants where they eat. Each night, the group reflects together, sharing what they have learned — both pleasant and unpleasant — and challenging each other's thoughts while planning ways to remain engaged.

“The goal is for participants to come away with awareness of the dynamic nature of Detroit’s urban core and recognize what is happening now to shape its future,” Sterk said. “As students become involved with Alternative Spring Break Detroit, they will actively discover how they fit into the city’s past, present and future.”