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Student Life
Spring Blast-A Growing Campuswide Tradition for Students, Faculty and Staff
Spring Blast 2025, a successful weekend of events held March 8-9 that offered students fun, free getaways and memorable experiences—both on and off campus—shows signs of becoming a UMass Amherst tradition.
Over 1,200 students participated in one of 18 different excursions organized by Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL) and the Spring Blast Coordination Committee, exploring new and familiar destinations locally and regionally. Some students immersed themselves in the heartbeat of New York City and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime Broadway show. Others went on student-led hikes through the New York state preserves, tried skiing or snowboarding for the first time in the Berkshires, or learned unique skills like glassblowing and how to make wooden spoons at Snow Farm in Williamsburg.
For those who didn’t want to venture far from home, on-campus events like Big Prize Bingo and drag shows attracted approximately 800 students.
“It’s all about creating memories,” said Dawn Bond, chair of the Spring Blast Coordination Committee. “My wife, son, and I always go on these little adventures and create the best memories. That’s what we wanted to give these students.”
Organizers had chosen an adaptive approach with this program. Acknowledging that many students choose their own leisure activities this time of year, the committee members observed there is a large population of students who have not yet formed traditions and would welcome new opportunities like those offered at Spring Blast.
The fun wasn’t limited to students, either. Campus partners from all disciplines and departments chaperoned these excursions, deepening the connection between students and staff.
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Cheryl Ponder, assistant vice chancellor for Advocacy, Inclusion, and Support programs, and Betsy Cracco, assistant vice chancellor for Campus Life and Wellbeing and co-chair of the Okanagan Wellbeing Collective, which is dedicated to maintaining UMass Amherst’s commitment to being a health- promoting university, led a group of students on a yoga retreat at Kripalu in Stockbridge, Mass.
“This program is just pure joy on many levels,” Cracco said. “First, students are incredibly appreciative. Many on the trip I chaperoned mentioned that they had always wanted to go to Kripalu and never had the chance. This particular trip was a great chance to unplug from the hectic pace of campus. Some students hiked, some cozied up in one of the great lounges and just soaked up the sunbeams and quiet, while others really enjoyed the boisterous energy of yoga dance.”
Cracco added, “And then it has a ripple effect; I loved seeing the happiness in our staff as they talked about their various trips. After all—being with students—this is why we got into the work in the first place. Bottom line? This event reminds us that we are a community that still has the capacity for joy.”
Plans are under way for next year’s Spring Blast events. The committee will be seeking volunteers again for next March, but slots are expected to fill quickly and SACL encourages interested faculty and staff to watch for the announcement of events in early spring semester 2026.