On March 19, a bus carrying students from the Rockville campus departed for the Chesapeake Bay. The mission: combat pollution. The result: cleaner shores, star-filled skies, muddy adventures and a trip to remember.
Alternative Spring Break 2025, organized by Student Life, brought students to Tangier and Port Isabel islands to learn about island life and help tackle pollution. Yet, the experience felt far from work — it was energizing, meaningful, and deeply rewarding. Students, many meeting for the first time, bonded through night hikes without flashlights, marsh treks, and a peaceful boat ride that felt almost dreamlike.
The journey began at Tangier Island, where students learned the island has no hospital or police department. Emergencies require a boat trip to the mainland, though crime is rare due to the tight-knit community. At the Tangier History Museum, a documentary offered further insight into local life. Students later took photos with the island’s mayor before exploring the area, at one point getting lost before safely finding their way back.
On the boat ride back, the group stopped to hunt for some crabs, catching one and learning about marine biology from our knowledgeable guides. After dinner, we embarked on a flashlight-free night hike, an experience that heightened our senses and revealed a sky filled with stars, far removed from city light pollution. Exhausted, we then returned to get some sleep.
The next morning began with Beatles music blasting in our ears — an abrupt wake-up call that made most “non-morning people” pretty mad. Yet most grumbling was soon replaced by smiles as we all admired a stunning sunrise and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. I guess the early bird does get the worm after all.
Later, we headed to the beach to remove litter from the sand, water and surrounding marshes. Walking through the thick mud, we sank ankle-deep, and that was just the beginning.
We got prepared for the big challenge with some marsh yoga as well as a hide-and-seek game in which I was an eagle hunting for the prey (students hiding) in the mud. Out of almost 20 students, only three remained unfound — maybe I was a bird in my last life. Then, we entered a marsh almost as deep as our heights. Most students stayed back, but some took the plunge — quite literally — crossing the marsh to reach the guide on the other side before returning.
After rinsing off, we collected our things and got back on the bus. Most students slept the entire ride due to being so tired from all of these activities.
Alternative Spring Break 2025 was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life, combining learning, teamwork and fun into a spring break I’ll never forget.
