We need more people to sign up for Alternative Breaks if we're still going to go! This winter you can go to Rouge Valley, Oregon or Maui, Hawaii!
What are alternative breaks?
Alternative
breaks provide SUU students with an 8-day humanitarian service experience—an
alternative to the “partying” that college students’ breaks are notorious for. Typically, there will be 12-20 students on a
break. Each break is led by a student leader and overseen by an SUU faculty or
staff adviser.
Why should I consider an alternative
break?
Most
students who participate in a break describe it as, “Life-changing!” Many
report, “It’s the best experience I’ve had at SUU!” Breaks provide the
opportunity to:
·
Travel
and experience a different environment or culture (without spending a lot of
money!)
·
Meet
new people and build relationships
·
Learn
about a community issue
·
Serve
and create social change
·
Develop
leadership skills
How much do trips cost?
Ground
travel trips are $480 per person. Groups that fly will pay more, with the total
trip cost dependent on the cost of air travel. The break fee covers all trip
costs including meals, travel and accommodations. A non-refundable deposit of
$80 for land-travel groups and $200 for air-travel groups is due at the time of
registration.
Where do the trips go?
During
the 2011-12 school-year, the Community Engagement Center is sponsoring trips
to:
Jan. 1-7
Maui, Hawaii—Habitat for Humanity ($1300-estimate)
Rogue Valley, Oregon—Habitat for Humanity ($480)
March 10-17
San Diego, California—Via International ($480)
Spokane, Washington—Habitat for Humanity ($480)
Taos, New Mexico—Habitat for Humanity ($480)
What will I do on an alternative
break?
The
primary purpose of trips is to volunteer. Participants engage in direct service
for four full days during the break. On the fifth day, they have an opportunity
to explore the city visited. In the evenings, participants enjoy free time to
play games, hang out, tour the city, or just relax. Trips that work with
Habitat for Humanity will work on natural disaster clean-up and/or building or
renovating housing. Trips that work with Via International will work with local
youth immigrant groups, at a community garden and with other organizations that
work with immigrants.
How do I sign up for a break?
Registration
will open on-line at 9 am, Monday, Oct. 24 at suu.edu/community—click on the
Alternative Breaks button. Spots are awarded on a first-come, first-served
basis.
What
are you doing for Spring Break? Staying home? Doing a class project? Hoping to
scrounge up enough money to vacation somewhere? Anywhere?
You are probably wondering what
exactly you would be doing during those eight days. The San Diego trip is
partnering with Via International to introduce students to immigration issues.
Students will work with local youth immigrant groups at a community garden, and
with other organizations that work with immigrants. If you are interested in
learning more about this current social and political issue, this trip is
definitely for you. The Tacoma and Taos trips are partnering with Habitat for
Humanity, which usually involve building or renovating housing for the less
fortunate. No experience is necessary—if you don’t know your way around power
tools, they’ll give you a paint brush! You will engage in direct service for
four full days during the break. On the fifth day, you will have an opportunity
to explore the city visited. In the evenings, you can enjoy free time to play
games, hang out, sightsee, or just relax with the new friends you’ve made.
Why should I consider an alternative
break?
The
primary purpose of trips is to volunteer. Participants engage in direct service
for four full days during the break. On the fifth day, they have an opportunity
to explore the city visited. In the evenings, participants enjoy free time to
play games, hang out, tour the city, or just relax. Trips that work with
Habitat for Humanity will work on natural disaster clean-up and/or building or
renovating housing. Trips that work with Via International will work with local
youth immigrant groups, at a community garden and with other organizations that
work with immigrants. 
