Students raising money for Florida science trip

Thirty middle and high School-aged students have the opportunity to travel to Florida and participate in WorldStrides’ “Splash into Science” during Spring Break.

According to their website, WorldStrides is the largest educational student travel and study abroad organization in the United States. Founded in 1967, the organization provides educational programs for more than 400,000 students annually from more than 7,000 universities and K-12 schools to over 100 countries around the world.

Amanda Klindworth, who is organzing the Florida trip, said she was informed about WorldStrides and the opportunies they provide students from another travel company.

After she conducted research, she found the organization’s “Splash into Science” program.

Klindworth said she chose the program because it is the most comprehensive trip WorldStrides offers students. By particpating in the trip, students can earn high school science credit while they learn about different aspects of marine biology.

Because Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools are not sponsoring the trip, students have until Jan. 17, 2018, to raise over $2,000 on their own to cover the cost, which includes travel, hotel accomodations and meals, sight seeing and activities.

Klindworth said she and other adults will accompany students on the trip as chaperones. She added WorldStrides will provide night chaperones at the hotel where they are staying, and a tour guide as well.

During their time in Florida, students will explore areas of Key Largo and the Everglades, and interact with sealife.

At facilities like the Turtle Hospital and the Island Dolphin Care Center, students will learn about marine life and particpate in activities such as dissecting a squid, using its ink to write their name and making it into kalimari.

“These are things they normally wouldn’t get to do for $2,000, and they get to take this experience with them for their rest of their lives,” Klindworth said.

While they are on the trip, students will also have the opportunity to experience life events such as leaving home and being away from their family, as well as flying in an airplane for the first time and traveling across the United States.

Students have been raising money over the last several months by selling concessions and helping out at community events.

During the Lind Combine Extravaganza Weekend, some students helped pick up garbage for the Lind Lion’s Club.

At Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, students sold cotton candy through the Ralston Grange. Students also approached Lind and Ritzville businesses for donations.

Other students have collected money through mowing lawns, babysitting jobs, selling jewerly and baked goods. One student, Jessica Ruse, has been selling baked goods every Saturday at Boxwood Home and Garden’s Open Air Market.

Klindworth said she has received comments from groups like the Ralston Grange about how hard the students have worked at raising money for the trip and added, “It’s cool to watch them grow up and learn some responsibility.”

There are several upcoming local fundraisers, including the Adams County Historical Society Dinner on Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. at Lind Community Church Fellowship Hall. A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to the students.

On Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to noon, the Ritzville Volunteer Ambulance Association will have a “Fill the Truck Fundraiser” from 8 a.m. to noon at the association’s building. Accepted items include clothing, shoes, accessories and tools, all of which will be donated to Goodwill.

The proceeds from the event will help Austin Hall and Jeffrey Staley raise money for the program.

Many students will also help at the Lind Community Yard Sale on Oct. 13-14 and the Ralston Grange Bingo and Silent Auction on Nov. 18.

Students can also contact WorldStrides to apply for scholarship money or financial assistance to help pay for the trip. WorldStrides also has its Gift of Education fundraising tool where kids can send letters, E-cards or share a Facebook post with family and friends requesting donations.

For more information about the trip or to donate money for the students, contact Klindworth at [email protected].