Students started spring break Monday. For two weeks, they are free from alarm clocks until they return to school on April 9. What are they up to during time off from their studies? Here’s what I discovered.

Historical adventure: Today, 24 Goleta Valley Junior High eighth-graders returned from a five-day trip to Virginia and Washington, D.C. They visited Williamsburg and George Washington’s home in Mt. Vernon. They witnessed a wreath being laid at Arlington National Cemetery, and saw the Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR and Iwo Jima Marine memorials. They also visited the National Archives, Library of Congress and were delighted to have Congresswoman Lois Capps guide them on a tour of the Capitol building. They also visited the museum of natural history and air and space museum at the Smithsonian, and went to the Holocaust Museum. For the second half of their break, the kids plan on sleeping in late and taking in a few movies around town.

Where have all the students gone? The UCSB campus went from a flurry of activity during final examinations last week to as quiet as a lazy day in Oklahoma. Students have bolted in all directions —surfing in Mexico, snow skiing in Colorado or home visiting their families and catching up on sleep.

Touchdown: Athletes for Life, an organization headed by Greg Bell and Dos Pueblos grad Larry Moriarty, both former NFL running backs, will hold free football camps for local youth on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at DP’s lower fields, and April 5-7 at Santa Ynez High School. Bell, Moriarty and other NFL players will teach offensive and defensive positioning and run agility and passing drills. Future Hall of Fame receiver Tim Brown will talk about teamwork and sportsmanship. The camps are sponsored by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. For more information and to sign up, go to www.athletesforlifefoundation.com.

Matzo movie: In honor of Passover, which celebrates the Jews’ escape from Egypt, Chabad of Santa Barbara, 6047 Stow Canyon Rd., will be showing “Out of Egypt” on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5. Seders will be held Monday at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. For more information, go to www.sbchabad.org or call 683-1544.

The wild life: Hiking, fishing, birding and boating are some of the things families are enjoying around Lake Cachuma. Wildlife cruises run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is $15 for adults and $7 for kids. Reservations can be made by calling 686-5050. On Saturday mornings, starting at 10, naturalists lead one-mile walks along the Oak Canyon Trail. The guided hike is free with $6 vehicle park admission. Also on Saturdays, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Nature Center, is a Junior Ranger program. Kids learn about wildlife, caring for the environment, and earn a badge by bringing to the center a bag of litter or recyclables they’ve collected. The Nature Center, which is open year-round and is free, has exhibits and hands-on displays so kids can learn about local plants, wildlife and geology. For more information about hikes and the ranger program, call 688-4515.

Fun for kids: Isla Vista Recreation and Park District offers recreational programs for kids ages 5 to 15 at 961 Embarcadero Del Mar. Ping pong and foosball are on hand, along with chests full of educational games and sports equipment. Arts and crafts and water play are also part of the daily activities. Hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 968-2017.

Fun for teens: Isla Vista Teen Center, at 889 Camino Del Sur, provides bilingual/bicultural programs focusing on enhancement of academic achievement for low-income and at-risk Latino youth, while providing a safe, fun environment in which to socialize. Services include homework assistance and mentoring, recreational activities, and workshops addressing drug prevention, leadership skills and health topics. Hours are Monday through Thursdays 3:30 to 5 p.m. and Fridays 4 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 685-9170.

If you have something to share — such as neighborhood news, an award, a milestone or an event in Goleta — Jeanine wants to write about it. Contact her at localcurrents@verizon.net.