Bonner First Year Trip
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA 2017
The First Year Trip is an annual trip to aims to bond first year Bonners with their peers and give them service opportunities in various locations throughout St. Augustine.
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From March 13-17th, 29 LWC students and four LWC faculty/staff members spent their time serving, relaxing, and bonding in St. Augustine, Florida.
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While in St. Augustine students and staff alike spent anywhere from 4-7 hours each day at one of four locations:
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Keepers of the Coast
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St. Augustine Lighthouse
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St. Johns Housing Partnership
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St. Francis House
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Sophomore Hannah and Freshman Bailey worked with the St. Johns Housing Partnership
Pictured from left to right are: Kelsey, Kennedy, Ellie, Becca, Christy, Tara, and Hannah.
Our students painted a house for an elderly individual in St. Johns County.
pictured left to right are: front-Michelle, Madison, Gracie, Hadley, and Molly; back- Will, Hannah G, and Hannah C.
Freshmen Tara and Becca paint turtle stakes for Keepers of the Coast.
Pictured left to right are: front- Carrie and Gracie, back: Karly, Hannah, Michelle, Allison, and Jakob.
Freshmen Allison and Kennedy, and Junior Abby carry bundles of turtle stakes for Keepers of the Coast.
Freshmen Gracie, Allison, and Hannah carrying garden tools for the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
Pictured left to right are: Abby, Jakob, Mariah,
This year was my third and final year attending Bonner FYT. Over the past three years these trips have become some of my fondest memories of my college career. Serving alongside such passionate people from all walks of life, and helping out those who have hit hard times or cannot help themselves. It has opened my eyes to what service can be. These diverse organizations and their 'clients' allow for our students to expand their world view through service in a different state, as well as an opportunity to de-stress after midterms. Working for hours on end, and in (sometimes) undesirable conditions helped both our students and staff learn and practice many real world skills that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
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Every year all students and staff who attend the trip get the chance to enjoy the beach, local eateries, and the wonderful attractions the U.S.A's oldest city has to offer. This year, students enjoyed an all-group meal at Mojo's BBQ in downtown St. Augustine and afterwards a tour of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. These activities and more created lasting memories and friendships between students that will carry on through their time at LWC.
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Special Thanks to our service partners in St. Augustine, as well as the LWC staff members that chaperoned/facilitated the trip: Elise Luckey, Natalie Vickous, Doug Ream, and Will Masters.