By Ariana Johnson, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - A night without laptops, cell phones, video games or unlimited food is what students and other participants can expect on Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the Campbellsville University campus.

The fourth annual “Cardboard Nation: A Homeless Experience” will be on Stapp Hall lawn at 102 University Drive, Campbellsville, Ky. The event is presented by the Social Workers in Touch can Help (SWITCH) Club in partnership with Green River Ministries (GRM).

Cardboard Nation is meant to provide the most realistic yet safe homeless living experience possible. Participants will sleep the night in a cardboard box, as the homeless do, in order to raise awareness of the homeless.

Each participate is to bring a blanket, sleeping bag or pillow.

Each participant or group should try to gain three donations; the bigger the donation, the bigger the box they get for the night.

Activities will include a speaker, music and contests.

All proceeds go to Green River Ministries Shelter. Pledges can be turned in up to the night of the event.

A kick-off soup line begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6. Cleanup and departure begins at 6 a.m. Saturday, May 7. Courteous panhandling will be allowed as will musical instruments, such as a guitar or harmonica, to earn money for the shelter.

Since February 2007, GRM has provided overnight shelter to a total of 198 individuals including 142 adults and 56 children. Since its doors opened, they have received a total of 917 requests for housing and other services including 579 adults and 338 children.

Green River Ministries is located at 55 Clem Haskins Blvd., Campbellsville; it will be celebrating its fifth-year anniversary in August 2011.

Cardboard Nation will take place whether rain or shine.

“Each year we have between 50 to 75 participants and raise between $2,500 to $4,000 for the homeless shelter,” Misty Curry, executive director of Green River Ministries, said.

Curry, a 2005 social work graduate of CU, said, “More than the money though, is the experience of fellowship with other participants and the realization that this is how some people live-not just spending one night in a box, but every night.”

“I am also reminded every year when I sleep in my box what pressure points are,” she said.

To participate in Cardboard Nation, call the Carver School of Social Work at 270-789-5049 or email Misty Willis, secretary for the Carver School.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.