Contact Patty Mathison for more information on events and other resources sponsored by the Office of Community Service.
Please Note: This event has already occurred for the Spring 2009 semester.
Be on the lookout for updated Spring 2010 information!
2009 TRIPS * OTHER ALTERNATIVE BREAK OPPORUNITIES
SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES! * FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS * APPLICATIONS
Be part of the ASB craze and learn firsthand why college students are opting for an Alternative Spring Break. These trips send students to other cities and states to engage in daily volunteer projects and social issue awareness. Through service, participants are able to experience, discuss, and understand social issues while learning how to become active citizens in their own communities.
- Atlanta, GA - Participants of this trip will be working with Project Open Hand, a nonprofit organization that helps to prevent or better manage chronic disease through home-delivered meals and nutrition education. For more information on the service site, please visit: : This year, Alternative Spring Breaks will be offering four different trips around the country. . www.projectopenhand.org
- Cumberland Trail, TN - Participants of this trip will be working with the Cumberland Trail Conference in Tennessee. They will be focusing on trail-building and environmental stewardship while helping to create a 300 mile Cumberland Trail, which runs from Cumberland Gap National Park, KY to Chattanooga, TN. This trail is planned to be completely built by volunteers. For more information on the service site, please visit: www.cumberlandtrail.org
- Kansas City, MO - Participants of this trip be working with Operation Breakthrough, a nonprofit that helps children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving, and educational environment. For more information on the service site, please visit: www.operationbreakthrough.org
- Media/Philadelphia, PA - This trip is focused on the idea of fair trade. It aims to explain and teach the practices, movement, and goals of fair trade to its participants. The trip will be spent in Media, PA, the country’s first fair trade town, and Philadelphia, PA. For more information on the service location, please visit: www.firstfairtradetownusa.org
Applications and $75 deposit (total price for trip) are due Monday, February 16 in Campus and Community Life, located on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center, Suite 370 by 5:00 pm.
On the application, you may rank your preference of one or all four of the trips. We will try our hardest to place you on your preferred trip, however, if that trip is filled, we will place you on your second choice (and so on). If you only have interest in one trip, place mark only that trip and do not rank the trips in order of preference.
The application can be filled out electronically, but you must bring a hard copy with you to Campus and Community Life. Electronic applications will NOT be accepted.
Trip dates are not yet specified because of arrangements being made with volunteer sites, but be assured that the trips will only take place during the week of March 14-22 and will last roughly 5-6 days and you should not be asked to miss any classes to participate in the trips.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, click HERE to access the application!
To Mexico, with Love Alternative Spring Break Opportunity
IUPUI’s “To Mexico, With Love” program is proud to announce its new Alternative Spring Break program in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Students will spend an exciting week living with a host family, learning conversational Spanish at IDEAL Spanish Language School, volunteering at community service sites, and taking excursions to explore more of Mexico.
Who: Any currently enrolled IUPUI student in good standing with the University can participate.
What: Approximate cost for the program is $550 (for a shared room) plus airfare (approx. $600). Approximate cost includes tuition at IDEAL, room and board with a host family, three meals per day, and two excursions.
Where: Cuernavaca is a city about the size of Indianapolis located one hour south of Mexico City.
When: The program will take place from Friday, March 13th to Saturday, March 21st, 2009.
Why: Do Spring Break differently this year. Learn. Have fun. Make a difference. “To Mexico, with Love” Spring Break ‘09
For more information, visit http://mexico.iupui.edu or send your questions to gomexico@iupui.edu.
Other alternative spring break opportunities...
Previous trip locations
Maryville, TN (2008)
Mammoth Cave National Park, KY (2008)
Frederick, MD (2008)
Atlanta, GA (2004, 2005, 2006)
Nashville, TN (2005)
Wavelend, MS (2006, 2007)
Asheville, NC (2007)
Tupelo, MS (2007)
Previous social issues addressed
Hurricane relief
Hunger and homelessness
Housing (Habitat for Humanity)
WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK?
IUPUI Alternative Spring Break (ASB) places students in communities outside of Indianapolis to engage in community service and experimental learning during their spring break. Students perform short-term projects for community agencies and learn about issues such as urban renewal, health, literacy, poverty, racism, hunger, homelessness and the environment. Activities can include rebuilding hurricane affected towns, tutoring children, serving the homeless a hot meal, reflection, socials, and more!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Transportation, housing, breakfasts, and lunches are usually always provided. Each participant must pay the required cash deposit, their own dinners, and money for any tourist attractions. In 2007, the cash deposit ranged from $30-$50 depending on the trip. Generally, the deposit goes towards paying for group t-shirts and transportation costs like gas.
WHO CAN GO ON AN ASB TRIP?
ASB trips are for any IUPUI students. There are also additional opportunities for graduate students to plan an ASB trip as part of a practicum, and these students should contact the Office of Community Service at commserv@iupui.edu for more information.
HOW CAN I RESERVE MY SPOT?
All students must complete an application and submit a cash deposit to secure a spot on any trip. Students must be in good standing with the university and be free from any disciplinary probation. Most trips work on a first-come, first-serve basis, and when all the spots are taken, the trip is closed. Every trip allows 1-2 spaces for alternates in case of any cancellations from participants.
WHAT IS THE TYPICAL SCHEDULE FOR ASB?
ASB is a service trip and participants will be volunteering almost every day. The schedule will vary depending on the trip and the student leader. It is typical to have team meetings and/or reflection sessions daily in addition to the scheduled service work. Every trip leader tries to allow time for sightseeing, exploring, and may plan small field trips. However, the main focus is service, and the majority of the time will be spent volunteering.
WHY IS IT CALLED "ALTERNATIVE" SPRING BREAK?
These trips are called "Alternative" because they allow college students to participate in a healthier experience over vacation compared to the stereotypical college spring break. Alternative Breaks trips are alcohol and drug-free for all participants and focus solely on volunteering.
WHO PLANS AND LEADS THE TRIPS?
All Alternative Break trips are planned, organized, and led by IUPUI undergraduate student leaders who have been trained by BreakAway. BreakAway is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to train and assist campuses in quality alternative break programs that inspire civic engagement. If you are interested in being involved with this process, contact the Alternative Breaks Service Organization (ABSO) for more information.
WHAT IS A PRE-ORIENTATION MEETING?
The pre-orientation meeting is run by the student leaders who have planned the trip and it is designed to provide further information about the schedule, activities, and packing list for the trip. It is also a time for the participants to get to know each other and ask questions.
IS THE PRE-ORIENTATION MEETING MANDATORY?
The pre-orientation is a necessary part of the trip and each participant must attend one. Some trips may have 2 dates for the pre-orientation meeting so please check with the student leader.
For more information, please contact the Office of Community Service at commserv@iupui.edu
IUPUI Center for Service and Learning
801 West Michigan Street | Business/SPEA Building Room BS2010 | Indianapolis, IN 46202 | Phone: 317-278-2662 | Fax: 317-278-7683
