Midshipmen Volunteer for Spring Break

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By Sharon Song

Story Published: Mar 17, 2011 at 7:02 PM MDT

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2011 at 3:05 PM MDT

BILLINGS - It's spring break for some college students, but while most are hitting the beach, a dozen Navy Midshipmen are spending their time helping others on the Crow Indian Reservation.

Twelve U.S. Naval Academy students put their muscles to good use mid-March. Their spring break projects included everything from fixing up a barn to building a wheel chair ramp for an elderly woman who had trouble walking in and out of her home.

The midshipmen are part of the Naval Academy's community service organization, Midshipmen Action Group. "Definitely at the Naval Academy people want to take that break and go out to the beaches, but some people want, actually want, to do something and get their hands dirty," said Naval Academy's Midshipmen Action Group Vice President Chris Memminger.

The team members were selected through an application process. "Back in Maryland we do all sorts of community service, we were fortunate enough to come out here for spring break," said Naval Academy senior Max Caggiano. "I wanted to do something out of the ordinary, I wanted come out to Montana and see part of the country I've never seen."

Dave Frank is part of the Running Strong for American Indian Group, a non-profit organization that partnered with the Naval Academy's mission. "They picked up real quick, you told them something and they listened," said Frank.

The students said getting a taste of the Indian culture was a plus. "We were able to learn about a culture that's part of our country, but not a lot people know about it," said Caggiano.

It's a spring break trip that these Midshipmen said topped any time at the beach. "I don't regret coming here at all. I'm a senior and it's my last spring break. I went to Cancun before, and I'm glad I got to come out here and do something good," said Naval Academy senior John Vick.

The trip was funded by both the Naval Academy's Foundation and the non-profit Running Strong for American Indian Group.

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Judy Campbell said on Tuesday, Mar 22 at 1:54 PM

Paul - thank you!

Mina Habibi said on Monday, Mar 21 at 2:08 PM

The non-profit is actually Running Strong for American Indian Youth.

Judy said on Friday, Mar 18 at 10:42 AM

Paul - yes, it's working now. Thank you. Now if the article could be corrected to say Midshipman Action Group instead of "Mission Action Group" all would be optimal.

Paul said on Friday, Mar 18 at 9:28 AM

Judy, I just checked, twice, and the video plays fine.

Judy Campbell said on Friday, Mar 18 at 6:48 AM

The video link doesn't work and the group from the Naval Academy is the Midshipman Action Group.

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