Building leadership skills
BHLP completes second alternate spring break in North Carolina
4:11 p.m., April 18, 2014--The Blue Hen Leadership Program, the University of Delaware’s three-tiered student leadership certification program sponsored by the University Student Centers, completed its second annual alternate spring break trip March 31-April 5.
Sixteen BHLP students, including two returning student leaders from the inaugural trip in 2013, and one University Student Centers staff member traveled to New Bern, N.C., to help Habitat for Humanity build a home for a family in need.
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The group completed over 400 hours of service throughout the week. Students gained experience in sealing a foundation, reinforcing rafters, roofing, and installing exterior walls with durable wrapping materials.
Students were asked to reflect daily on their experiences and articulate what they had learned throughout the trip.
"This is so inspiring to me,” said Kellie Forbes. “It was also so great meeting the homeowner. She was so grateful and it made it all worthwhile. The whole New Bern community was amazing. This was a life-changing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat."
"The most meaningful experience was definitely meeting the family receiving the house we were building. It was great getting to put a face to what we were doing and to see a more direct effect on how we would be benefiting their lives," said Meghan McGrath
Their efforts were lauded by the local news station, WCTI NewsChannel 12, in a video spotlight that can be found here. The mayor of New Bern, Dana E. Outlaw, also paid a visit to thank the group and see their progress.
The University Student Centers’ Leadership Development Office programs a variety of community service opportunities within BHLP throughout the academic year.
Students can earn a certificate of leadership in three levels and also have the opportunity to win scholarships through their participation.
For more information about the BHLP, visit the website.