Alternative Spring Break

The Center for Civic Engagement is now accepting applications for their Alternative Spring Break Program! Having started in the early 1980s, these trips focus on engaging students in non-profit service that focuses on social issues like poverty, hunger, homelessness, immigration rights and the environment. Students immerse themselves in an opportunity that allows them to grow and focus on sustainable social change.

This year there will be three alternative spring trips for March 21 – 28:

Hunger & Homelessness in San Francisco, California, Estimated Trip Cost: $445  (includes 4 dinners and breakfast)

Community & Cultural Engagement in Yakima, Washington, Estimated Trip Cost: $145  (includes 4 dinners)

Environmental  Restoration & Conservation: Ashland, Oregon, Estimated Trip Cost: $ 220 (includes 4 dinners)

This year’s trip to Ashland, Oregon will focus on environmental conservation and restoration issues in Ashland, Oregon. Participants will complete environmental restoration projects such as creek restoration, planting native plants, mulching, invasive species removal, fertilizing, trail building/maintenance, and restoring bird habitats with a variety of community organizations. Participants will meet with local environmental leaders to learn about threats to the natural environment and local legislation that is impacting natural habitats and ecosystems.

There are many benefits of participating in an Alternative Break. Students will have the opportunity to:

Engage in meaningful service to impact change related to an issue you care about

Learn about and reflect upon the complexity and interconnectedness of social issues and problems

Improve your leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, and dialogue skills in dynamic real world contexts

Learn about options for continuing community engagement work upon your return to OSU

Build meaningful relationships and a new community of civic-minded OSU students

Travel to and learn about regional communities

Learn about and explore new perspectives

Develop skills in negotiating multiple perspectives, viewpoints, and stakeholders’ interests in decision making and actions

Develop an increased capacity to work across differences to build communities

Gain valuable experience for your resume

Learn about yourself, challenge yourself, and have fun

Take a look here to learn about the impact made by last year’s Alternative Break students.

Environmental Restoration & Conservation: Ashland, Oregon Estimated Trip Cost: $220 (includes 4 dinners)

Discover the pressing environmental conservation and restoration issues in Ashland, Oregon. Participants will complete

environmental restoration projects such as creek restoration, planting native plants, mulching, invasive species

removal, fertilizing, trail building/maintenance, and restoring bird habitats with a variety of community

organizations. Participants will meet with local environmental leaders to learn about threats to the natural environment

and local legislation that is impacting natural habitats and ecosystems. This trip will include many hands-on, physical

projects and possible hikes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors. Rain jackets, rain pants, and work boots are

required for this trip to ensure comfort of the participants. On our community immersion day, we will explore Ashland,

go hiking, and/or possibly attend a play at the local Shakespeare Festival.

Note: This trip is one day shorter than the other trips (March 21st to 27th). Trip fee includes transportation, lodging, 4

community dinners that will be prepared and shared together as a group. You will be responsible for your meals on travel

days as well as for purchasing materials to pack your lunch and supplement the breakfast provided by the motel. There will

be a shared kitchen available to prepare a lunch and cook dinner each day. Lodging will be at a local motel and students

will be asked to a share queen sized bed with another participant. Sleeping preferences will be collected on a trip

information form after trip selecti

Applications are due Monday December 1, 2014 by 5pm online or to the Student Leadership & Involvement information desk in Snell 149. Students can learn more about the alternative break program, download the application packet, or apply online here.