NATCHEZ — It may look like play but it is actually an incredibly rewarding experience.

A group of 13 Boston University students gave up their spring break to volunteer at the Natchez Children’s Home, where they have played with the children, read to them and much more.

The university has a strong alternative spring break program and groups of students have been coming to the Children’s Home for five years.

They’ve also rolled up their sleeves and done spring-cleaning of the children’s rooms, picked up trash in the area, washed cars and done some gardening.

Compared to a relaxing spring break spent lounging on the beach, this seems like a lot of work. But these students wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s nothing short of amazing,” sophomore Kyle Thibodeau said.

There are a number of reasons why these students chose to volunteer their time.

Lindsey Gould, a sophomore, said initially it merely sounded like a good volunteering opportunity, but something unexpected formed from the experience.

“This is a small group, so you form a lot of good friendships,” she said.

Mary Katherine Cox, a junior, said in addition to this being a rewarding experience, it also helps her in her career path.

“I want to be a teacher, so I want to amass as much experience with kids as possible,” she said. “And this is a different setting with children from a very different background so this helps me grow as a person and it will help me be a better teacher.”

The students are even soaking in the Southern experience.

“It’s one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever had, people here are so much more open and openly friendly,” Thibodeau said.

Joe Mitchell, development director for Children’s Home, chimed in to share a story about the student’s experience with Southern hospitality.

When the students arrived Sunday, Mitchell took them out to the Riverwalk in Vidalia to get some fresh air and to stretch their legs.

Passersby who were strangers to Mitchell stopped to talk with the students. The students were perplexed when they learned they were strangers, Mitchell said.

“I think this is their first introduction to Southern culture, that it’s OK to just stop and chat with strangers,” he said.

Mitchell raved about this group of students.

“Almost all the questions asked by this group are about people,” he said. “They haven’t been asking about places, the economy, but the community and how people get along in the community.”

He said they have only been concerned about people and the children and their well being.

“It tells me a lot about their personality,” he said.

Not that the students haven’t enjoyed spots in the community.

They’ve toured St. Mary Basilica and lounged on its lawn, they’ve seen the Historic Natchez Pageant, browsed through antique shops and sampled beignets at the Main Street Market Place Café.

Su Bartlett, university chaperone for the trip, spoke for everyone when she said they plan on staying in contact with the children. And they look forward to sharing their experience and bringing their enthusiasm back to the university’s campus.

Natalie Robinson and Rachel Vannice, both sophomores and the coordinators of the trip spoke highly of going on alternative spring break trips.

“It’s the best possible way to spend spring break, it’s not being self indulgent,” Vannice said.

Robinson spoke about the reciprocity of volunteering.

“It’s a unique experience that’s life changing,” Robinson said. “We are getting so much out of this experience.”

But so are the children and the administrators of Children’s Home.

“I am grateful for what they’ve done, even though they make look like they are playing, that playing is very valuable to us,” Mitchell said.

The students have been staying at the Community Chapel Church of God, where they said everyone has been extremely hospitable.

They will return to Boston University Saturday.