Minnetonka Students Spend Spring Break Giving Back

For most high school students, spring break means sleeping in and relaxing. But for one group of kids, this year’s spring break has a whole new meaning—community service.

Thirty-eight high school students will spend next week participating in the school’s first-ever “Minnetonka Pay it Forward Tour"—a five-day community service road trip with stops in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Decorah, IA. 

Minnetonka High School has teamed-up with local nonprofit, Students Today Leaders Forever, for the tour.

“The goal of the trip is for students to have fun, meet new friends and learn about themselves while helping to make the world a better place,” said Laurie Lokar, community service specialist for the Minnetonka School District. “Our students are so fortunate to have the support and resources of the Minnetonka School District behind them as they grow and learn.”

Although the students will be out of school, they still will be learning—specifically about student leadership and social issues through community service work. In each city along the way, the teens will participate in volunteer activities, while also making time for sightseeing and college tours. 

This year’s tour is at full capacity. Minnetonka High School plans to make it an annual tradition—hoping to have more students participate each year. 

“We hope they come back from this trip inspired to continue giving back to their schools and communities,” Lokar said.

Students Today Leaders Forever was started in 2003 by four University of Minnesota students. To date 1,500 college, high school and middle school volunteers have put in almost 150,000 community service hours with STLF.

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Upon their return home, some of the 38 participating students will reflect on their experiences in an article for Minnetonka Patch—with lots of pictures! Check back for that feature!