Interested in being part of Alternative Break in 2019?
Complete this quick form to be added to our email list with updates and deadlines
Plans are being made now for trips next year. For now, take a look at what the Alternative Break program is and where we’ve gone in the past.
What is Alternative Break?
Alternative Breaks, a program of Reeve Union Student Involvement, sends teams of 9 college students to engage in community-based service projects during winter or spring break, providing opportunities for students to learn about the problems faced by members of communities with whom they may otherwise have had little or no direct contact. This immersion in diverse environments enables students to experience, discuss, and understand social issues in a significant way, ultimately, moving students towards action to make a positive impact.
When do trips take place?
Interim break week – Jan 20-27
Spring break – March 23-29
May interim – dates to be determined
A sample of past trips:
Education and Privilege traveling to Honduras – www.oyehonduras.org $1,650
On this trip to Honduras students will be working with the non-profit Organization for Youth Empowerment – OYE. OYE’s mission as a community-based, youth-led organization is to develop the leadership and capacity of at-risk Honduran youth who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In Honduras, primary education is free and obligatory for every child between the ages of seven and fourteen, but the associated transportation costs and income-loss to the household when a child is in school is often too much for families to bear, resulting in children who are forced to drop out of school and are thus unable to complete their “obligatory” education. OYE works to increase the number of students completing their education.
Sustainability and the Economics of Coffee traveling to Guatemala – http://dlgcoffee.wordpress.com/category/volunteers/ $1,450
De La Gente is a non-profit that offers community tourism as a way to create a real cultural experience by encouraging interaction between visitors and local Guatemalans, as well as to supplement income for the farmers and artisans. Our goal is make a positive difference in the lives of the people who visit us while having an impact on the lives of the people and communities with whom we work on a daily basis.
Healthcare advocacy and Diversity traveling to New York City – http://gmhc.org/ $880
As students travel to New York on this diversity and inclusion trip, they will volunteer with GMHC. GMHC is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Building on decades of dedication and expertise, they understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and empower a healthy life for all. You will also tour NYC and all the diversity it has to offer.
Environmental Stewardship: Giving Back to our National Parks – Arches National Park Moab, UT – https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm $500
Students will travel to Moab, Utah to volunteer at Arches and Canyonlans National Park(s). National Parks rely each year on trail crews, clean up crews and general work crews to keep these federal lands pristine and accessible. The lodging for this trip will either a group campground with amenities or a back-country site.
2018 Participant Selection Timeline
September 25 Application for trip leaders are available online
October 13 Trip Leader Applications are due
October 19 at noon Trip Participant priority deadline – Applicants must sign up for an interview at this time
October 23-25 AB Trip Interviews
Friday, November 3 AB Trip Participants notified via e-mail
Friday, November 10 AB Participants must pay $100 deposit*
*Failure to pay deposit will remove individual from the trip
Selection Criteria
Selection will be based off the AB Trip Application and Interview. This trip is a joint venture between Reeve Union and Student Recreation, as such, there are several outside factors considered during selection.
- Applicants must have a cumulative 2.25 GPA (Freshmen should list High School GPA)
- Having a record of the following will remove an applicant from consideration:
- Violent or Drug Crimes on CCAP
- Campus or Residence Hall Disciplinary Probation
- Other incidents that raise concern
Answers to some of our frequently asked questions
Costs Covered by your trip fee:
Trip transportation
AB T-shirt
Lodging
Supplies for service work
Meals (each trip will let you know which meals are covered)
International health insurance
Does Not Cover:
Snacks or travel day meals
Extra Activities
Immunizations/Passport (International trips)
Safety and Security Information
All Trips:
Waivers & contact information on site & at university
Emergency contact information sent to parents
Agency contact number sent to parents
Flight information shared
All lodging at secure locations, places to keep valuables
International Trips:
Copies of passports kept
Emergency travel insurance purchased
Registered with US Embassies in countries
Travel agent & university watch for international concerns
Alternative Breaks participants, including Trip Leaders, are required to attend mandatory events, including group meetings and other events and activities.
Alternative Breaks participants are required to abide by the Alternative Breaks Zero Tolerance Alcohol and Drug Policy.
Alternative Breaks participants will occasionally be asked to participate in surveys and evaluations.
Those participating in Alternative Breaks will be required to fund their trips.
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