Habitat for Humanity/Collegiate Challenge

I first became a member of Collegiate Challenge, a subgroup of Habitat for Humanity, in my freshman year. Collegiate Challenge involves with helping others and by building houses in different areas throughout the United States whereas Habitat for Humanity just deals with the local area. During my freshman year, there were three groups that traveled throughout the United States: one group to Colorado, one group to South Dakota, and one group to Texas. I went to Eagle Butte, South Dakota. When my sophomore year came around, Collegiate Challenge had expanded to four groups, traveling to Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Washington. I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri. In order to get there, we do various types of fundraising like letter writing, a bowl-a-thon, and car washes so we do not have to pay a single penny out of our own pockets. There are about 15-20 people per group and there is an advisor that comes along with us as well. Throughout the week-long trip, the students normally partake in various projects with the Habitat site Director like demolishing walls, building houses, building a foundation, painting, landscaping, going to a Habitat Re-Store, and numerous other tasks. In addition to working a typical 9-5, Monday-Friday week, we are able to sightsee. The entire week-long trip, which takes place two weeks after finals (during the month of May), is an outstanding and lifechanging experience.