Spring break
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Spring break or Reading Week is a week-long recess from studying in early spring at universities in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, China and other countries. It is traditionally a time when students travel to a tropical location and party hard for a week. Recently, many students have begun traveling to other countries, such as Mexico and Jamaica. There's sometimes unusual things going on: increased drinking and sexuality, or public nudity.
In the U.S., Spring break ranges from the end of February to mid-April, but most schools are out the first two weeks of March. Starting in September, leading spring break companies such as, Trip Invite (http://www.tripinvite.com/springbreak) go to campuses to promote trips for the coming spring break.
In Japan, the spring break starts with the end of the academic year in March and ends on April 1 with the beginning of a new academic year.
Spring break is also celebrated by K-12 institutions, and is also known as March break. March break is invariably one or both of the middle two weeks of March.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida was once a notorious spring break destination in the United States. Residents of the area became so upset at the damage done by vacationers, however, that the local government passed laws restricting parties. Spring break partygoers responded by moving to the much more liberal Daytona Beach area. Fort Lauderdale suffered a recession as a result of the self-imposed boycott, but the local hotel industry survived by catering to the retirement population.
The most popular spring break spots today include Cancun, Jamaica, Acapulco, South Padre Island, and Panama City Beach. About 1,000,000 students go on spring break to these locations (USA Today, 2003-01-05). Most students purchase specialized packaged tours. There are several logistics companies that charter airplanes and buy large blocks of hotel rooms to offer the deep discounts most college kids need. Prices range from about $600 to $1400 which includes airfare, hotel, and 50 hours of open bar.
Alternative Spring Break trips are becoming more popular. For the more socially-conscious student, package trips are available to help people in poor countries, experience nature, and other "non-partying" activities.
References
- Anne Warren Smith: Tails of Spring Break, ISBN 0-8075-6358-7
- Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen, Emma Harrison: So Little Time 14: Spring Breakup, Haper Entertainment, ISBN 0-06-059069-6
- Sundiata Xian Tellem: Spring Break with Melanie Nuntia, Advanced Marketing Techno, ISBN 1-4107-0150-6
- Johanna Hurwitz: Spring Break, Harper Collins, ISBN 0-380-73257-2
- Jonathan Pearce: Spring Break, Infinity Pub.Com, ISBN 0-7414-0378-1
- John Bianchi: Spring Break at Pokeweed Public School, Bungalo Books, ISBN 0-921285-33-7
- Peter Lerangis: Spring Break, Apple, ISBN 0590697714
- Linda Joy Singleton: Spring Break!, Lowell House, ISBN 1565651448
- William Collister: Cassadaga: Spring Break, Writer's Showcase, ISBN 0595216366
- R. L. Stine: Spring Break (Seniors a Fear Street Super Chiller), Golden Books, ISBN 0307247139
- Ruth Burnett: Spring Break for Love, Thomas Bouregy & Co, ISBN 9995177978
- Francine Pascal: Sweet Valley High Super: Spring Break, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, ISBN 0553255371
External links
- Article "Endless Spring - How much spring break can anyone stand? (http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?020401fa_FACT)" by Rebecca Mead
- Article "How to survive spring break - Avoid a vacation disaster with common sense and planning (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7030726/)" by John Frenaye
- Article "Acapulco the mature spring break destination (http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/03/15/acapulco.spring.break.ap/index.html)"
- Article "Texas shores hot for spring break (http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/03/14/trv.travel.southpadre.ap/index.html)"
- Official Spring Break Site for Daytona Beach (http://daytonabreak.com/)
- Spring Break Cancun (http://springbreakcancun.com/)
- Panama City Beach Florida Spring Break (http://interoz.com/springbreak/)
- SpringBreak.com (http://springbreak.com/)
- An online guide for those interested in enjoying Spring Break 2005 at South Padre Island, Texas. (http://www.spireviews.com/articles/spring_break.html)
- Student SpringBreak (http://www.springbreak.as.ro/)de:Spring Break