A group of students returned last weekend from the first weekend campaign in Belton. Two more weekend campaigns this semester will be going to Belton, Medina, and Oklahoma City, Okla. this semester.

Weekend campaigns are completely student-lead volunteer opportunities that reach out to communities in need. This year there are three students leaders: Rachel Smith, senior English major from Wiggins, Colo., Jaymee Myller, senior nursing major from Arvada, Colo. and Ryan Galindo, senior biology major from San Antonio.

“We each plan a specific campaign and handle the volunteering, emails, transportation, and advertisement for it,” Smith said.

Weekend campaigns are all over Texas and sometimes out of state.

Smith said the campaigns started off well with a small group of students this weekend.

“The campaign went great,” Smith said. “We had a really great group. Everybody really shined with the kids and we all became friends over the weekend.”

“Weekend campaigns are like a baby version of Spring Break Campaigns except it’s just for a weekend and it’s free except for a couple of meals,” Smith said.

The program is funded through the Center for Christian Service and Leadership, with a separate fund for the campaigns that pays for transportation and gas. Students are usually housed in a church or provided a place to stay, Smith said.

Students of all classes and majors are able to attend.

“Weekend campaigns are a great chance to help people and spend time with people and make new friends,” Smith said.

Weekend campaigns also provide the opportunity for students to get to know other ACU students while volunteering in a community.

“Campaigns are a good way to bond with ACU students and do something for the greater good,” said Blair Agan, senior communication major from Lake Jackson.

Students who participate in weekend campaigns do a number of different tasks on each trip.

“Usually, a church will need something done so we’ll go down and help them. It could be anywhere from painting a building to playing with kids or doing yard work,” Agan said.

Weekend campaigns are a way for students to give back to the community and bond with students in a low-budget, practical way.

“What weekend campaigns mean to me is that you get to give up your weekend to help someone else,” Agan said.