ACU Weekend Campaigns, an organization devoted to service in area communities, is planning its first trip of the semester.
The group mainly travels to communities in Texas. They will take five to six trips this semester, the first trip scheduled for Sept. 24 in Belton.
Matthew Hale, senior communications major from Uvalde, has been involved in Weekend Campaigns since his freshman year.
“Weekend Campaigns offer students great opportunities to do local missions, by forming relationships with local churches in Texas and with ACU students on the mission trip, ” Hale said.
David Reynolds, sophomore math major from Austin, is one of four group leaders going on the trip.
“We will go on Friday night, make our plan, do things on Saturday and come back on Sunday,” Reynolds said. “We are going to attend a ministry called Open Door Ministry. Students will be working with kids in low-income apartments.”
The next campaign, scheduled for late October, will focus on a special-needs retirement home. Students will stay  in the retirement home over weekend,  and will have an exercise program lesson in the morning with community service projects throughout the day.
“It’s one great way to get connected with people,” said Mary Swantek, senior  exercise science major from Clarkston, Mich., one of the group leaders. “Last year, we had a talent show at night. It’s great because it focuses on people’s talents rather than their disabilities. Besides, there is a great pool. It’s  a heated, wavy river. ”
ACU has had the Weekend Campaigns program for seven years.
“Unlike Spring Break Campaigns, it’s close, usually to places which are only two hours away, ” said Melanie Bartholomew, junior interior design major from San Antonio. “Students do not need to raise money. It’s totally free. ”
Weekend Campaigns hosts a Chapel every Thursday in the conference room of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building. Hale said going to the Chapel is a great way to be involved with Weekend Campaigns.
“Chapel is a place where you get to know more about weekend campaigns, meet people, form relationships and be involved,” Hale said.
Students looking to become involved can send an e-mail to weekendcampaigns@gmail.com or call David Reynolds at 512-560-0442.
