Safe Spring Break 2010: Road Trip to a Safe Spring Break

SSB Contest Winners Announced

• Photo: McADOC Peer Education Network, Bridgewater State College (see photo below)
• Pledge: ADAPT, University of Virginia
• PSA: View the top videos here

Dear BACCHUS Peer Educators and Advisors:

It’s that time of year again, when many of our students pack up and head away from campus for Spring Break!  Whether Spring Break means a trip to the beach for sun and fun, skiing or boarding down a mountain, volunteering in an alternative break program, or just relaxing and rejuvenating at home, we want to help you make sure your students are well equipped to have a safe and fun time.

SSB 2010 Photo Contest Winner: The McADOC Peer Education Network of Bridgewater State College

Safe Spring Break is a great opportunity for you to get your peers ready for all the fun of spring break while encouraging them to make positive choices for their own health as well as the safety of their friends.  It is a chance for you to do what peer educators and health and wellness offices do best: being positive and supportive about healthy decision-making, while at the same time pointing out some of the real dangers and risks that need to be addressed.

Through the promotion of safe and sober driving, responsible decision-making, planned strategies for personal safety and avoiding high-risk drinking, we hope to reduce if not eliminate the number of injuries and deaths among college and university students during the spring break period. And, since healthy decision-making such as choosing to drive safe and sober are life skills, your efforts will save lives long after Spring Break is over.

Although the main focus may be on preventing impaired driving, you will find that our Safe Spring Break Campaign also includes information and encouragement on other health issues, such as healthy sexual decision-making, predatory drugs, and even safe sun protection! We encourage you to add some of these issues to your educational efforts as well.

Each BACCHUS affiliate will be mailed a Safe Spring Break kit in January 2010 with a programming and prevention manual, sample promotional items, and an order form.  The kit also includes information about the 2010 Safe Spring Break Photo Contest and Pledge Contest -- two chances for your affiliate group to win $250!

Follow the links on the right side of this page to find the information you need to plan an educational program, host a social event awareness kickoff, or develop safe spring break kits for your students.  The order form outlines many resource materials that highlight personal safety strategies so that students can keep Spring Break safe and enjoyable.

Keep in mind that any of the BACCHUS campaigns are not just intended for one-time events. Even if you do not have time to organize a full effort for Spring Break this year, the programming materials contain valuable ideas and solid educational information you can use throughout the academic year.  Thank you for your continued affiliation with The BACCHUS Network™.  Best wishes for success with your programming and life saving efforts in 2010.

What’s new for the campaign? 

1.  Several of our popular posters have been redesigned and new affordable promotional items are in stock for you: Road Trip Cups, Sunscreen and Whistle-Light-Keyrings.  These and other items are great for developing safe spring break kits for students.  You also can include erasable highlighters, sunflower seeds (great for those who are quitting tobacco) and bandages -- all are available on one easy order form.

2.  BACCHUS Friends for a Safe Spring Break 2010 Photo Contest: Win $250

Deadline: Friday, April 16, 2010

Use the BACCHUS Friends for a Safe Spring Break Photo Contest as a way to motivate safety before, during and after Spring Break.  We will announce the winner from the website in May 2010. Click here for more information.  Download the submission form.

3. Safe Spring Break Pledge Contest 2010: Win $250

Deadline: Friday, April 16, 2010

It is often said that those who make a commitment in writing are more likely to follow through on that commitment.  Here is a great way to help your peers make a commitment to a safe spring break and enter your BACCHUS affiliate group into a drawing to win $250!  Here is a pledge card you can use and the form you must submit by April 16, 2010 to enter this contest.