Spring Break 2018 has arrived, meaning that Oxford, Lafayette County and Ole Miss students and educators will slow down this week and take a well-deserved break.

From the beaches of the Florida panhandle to Mexico, spring breakers will try to soak in the sun. But many are making their time well spent since a growing trend is taking a mission trip during the mid-March holiday.

For example, we overheard some students talking just before the break about a trip to Jamaica.

“Going down for sun?”

“No, we’re going down with 57 Ole Miss students on a mission trip.”

The students counted up all the groups in Oxford and Ole Miss taking students on mission trips, from churches including Pinelake and Grace to the RUF ministry on campus. Hundreds of students, it seems, are helping others this spring break.

“It’s the new best way to spend spring break,” we were told. “It helps the individuals in need in these countries. But it helps the students that go as much or more because they learn about others and the challenges they face.”

The traditional fun and sun spring break has value, too, since hard work during the semester should be rewarded. But, it’s also rewarding to know that so many students find a way to explore the world for spring break while simultaneously helping others.