The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program kicked off in 1998 with 12 students and has been growing every year since. In 2012, nearly 130 students participated in ten trips at various sites across the United States.

For ASB 2013, the S.O.U.L.S. Center is offering twelve trips for those who want to spend their break serving and learning. The trips will focus on poverty relief, environmental conservation, LGBTQ issues and equal rights, and community development.

When

Suffolk University’s spring break: March 10-16, 2013

Participants are required to attend weekly meetings during the spring semester.

Cost

Students accepted into ASB are required to raise $100 by Feb. 15. Suffolk will cover all other expenses such as lodging, food, and transportation. Financial aid is available on a case-by-case basis.

Where

  • Clarkesville, GA

  • Delaplane, VA

  • Denver, CO

  • Georgetown, DE

  • Gulfport, MS

  • Meridian, MS

  • Newland, NC

  • Passadumkeag, ME

  • Philadelphia, PA (C2C)

  • Philadelphia, PA (LGBTQ)

  • Triangle, VA

  • Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Classes

A four-credit service learning class will be attached to three of the ASB trips. In order to go on a trip that has a class attached to it, you must register for that class. This course fulfills the extended classroom requirement (ECR). Class descriptions:

ENST 310 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Alternative Spring Break

From 1933 to 1942 more than 3 million men served in the CCC and dramatically changed the physical and political landscape of the United States. CCC workers planted billions of trees, developed parks and recreational opportunities and transformed farmland across the country. This course will examine the long lasting effect of the CCC program on modern environmentalism and in how we define conservation. Participants will spend a week serving in Prince William Forest Park, a major park development project of the CCC.

EHS 210 Service Learning: Alternative Spring Break (2 sections)

Poverty is a real issue in America today—nearly 47 million Americans live in poverty. This is a complex issue that requires an examination of multiple topics including education, housing, and health care. Each section of this class will study these issues through the lens of their respective ASB destinations. The locations for these trips will be El Paso, TX and Salinas, Puerto Rico.

Application Process

As a part of the selection process, we interview a majority of the applicants. After your application has been received we will contact you to set up an interview.

Download an application [PDF] or stop by the S.O.U.L.S. Center to pick one up.

Alternative Spring Break Facilitators

Suffolk staff and faculty facilitators travel with each student group to serve as advisors and offer support and guidance to the group. There is no cost to trip facilitators. If you are interested in applying to become a facilitator for an Alternative Spring Break trip, please contact Tim Albers, S.O.U.L.S. Assistant Director.