Achiote, Panama
The oldest of international trips for alt breaks, participants will work with a local community center focusing on environmental conservation and ecotourism. The group will experience the culture and customs of Panama while assisting a local organization (CEASPA) with construction and environmental projects. Last year participants helped build museum displays and enjoyed getting familiar with the citizens, customs, and animals in the small village of Achiote. This is a flying trip and is perfect if you truly want to experience another culture and work with your hands!
Catalina, California
This trip focuses on environmental issues and is the longest standing partnership with Alternative Break Trips at CSU (11 year history!). Participants stay in Catalina Island Camps, on Catalina Island, which is located southwest of Los Angeles (beautiful!) and participate in numerous environmental projects including trail building/repair, environmental education projects, and landscaping. In addition to volunteer work, participants will also have the opportunity to experience a ropes course and snorkeling on the island. This is a flying trip.
Independence, California
A collaboration between the SLICE office and the Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) Office, this trip offers students the once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about and help preserve the Manzanar National Historic Site. In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 Japanese men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese people interned during World War II. This is a driving trip, and a perfect opportunity to help preserve the stories of Japanese Americans living during World War II.
Kanab, Utah
The Kanab trip will feature volunteer work at the Best Friends Animal Society, the nation's largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals. Best Friends operates a low cost spay/neuter program, sponsors a network of members in rescue, foster care and humane education programs with the goal of bringing about a time when there will be NO MORE HOMELESS PETS. Put your love for animals “in action” by pitching in to help walk dogs, cuddle cats, assist with agency mailings and much more. CSU participants will also have a “fun day” to explore majestic red rock country of Utah. This is a driving trip for CSU. If you are a closeted “cat woman” or just really miss your dog at home, then this is the trip for you.
Kissimmee, Florida
Partnering with Give Kids The World, an agency that exists to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to experience a memorable, joyful, and cost-free visit to enjoy the Give Kids The World Village. This is a flying trip for CSU. Volunteers will work at the amusement park as ride operators, concession stand monitors, fishing derby organizers, and more. The Village is complete with rides, parties, food, and fun! If you love children and love to act like a kid yourself, than this is a trip you do not want to miss.
Maryville, Tennessee
Participants road tripping to Maryville will work with Once Upon a Time, an agency whose mission focuses on the Cherokee Nation and rural Appalachia, and preserving the incredibly rich natural environment in this world biosphere. Volunteers at this site will have the opportunity to do a huge variety of work including 1 day in the Snowbird Cherokee community, 1 day doing trail maintenance, 1/2 day working in the woodshop building wood duck or bluebird boxes, ½ day for a project at Sequoyah Museum, and 1 day on homesteading activities. In addition to service work, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn Cherokee stories, language, and beading, do a night hike, and tell “Mountain Man” stories around the bonfire. This will be CSU's third year in Maryville.
Moab, Utah
The Moab trip will feature volunteer work with Plateau Restoration, a non-profit organization whose mission it is to “protect and restore of native habitats of the Plateau through hands-on research, education, re-vegetation, and restoration.” Volunteers can expect awesome scenery, spirited presentations by experienced educators on natural history, geology, human history and resource issues, volunteer work removing invasive species, and a “fun day” exploring the wilderness. If you are the kind of person who loves the outdoors AND volunteering, this is the trip for you. This is a driving trip.
New Orleans, Louisiana (Animals)
Participants on this trip will volunteer with Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit organization created and dedicated to the rescue and aid of abandoned and homeless animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers will spend the week walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and helping to socialize feral dogs and cats, in addition to enjoying the unique culture of The Big Easy. This is a new flying trip.
New Orleans, Louisiana (Disaster Relief)
The New Orleans (Disaster Relief) trip will feature volunteer work with the United Way and St. Bernard Project helping to support disaster relief by rebuilding homes in St. Bernard Parish. As reconstruction continues in New Orleans, St. Bernard is in constant need of volunteers to complete the volume of building projects that they are sponsoring. Volunteers will be doing construction work, enjoying the New Orleans culture and working with other volunteer groups from around the nation. This is a flying trip.
New York City, New York
Partnering with the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the first and oldest organization in New York City committed to the fight against AIDS, this trip centers on HIV/AIDS. GMHC's mission statement is “to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians.” Participants on this trip can anticipate volunteering as a client library assistant, kitchen and pantry assistant and interacting with the diverse GMHC clients all in the great city that never sleeps! This is a flying trip.
Shiprock, New Mexico (4 Corners)
In conjunction with CSU's Little Shop of Physics, tie-dye clad student volunteers headed to Shiprock, New Mexico (in addition to other small communities in the 4 corners area) will be visiting various Navajo schools to perform hands-on science experiments with youth. Student volunteers do not need to be physics experts, but rather should be people who are interested in finding creative ways to share the wonder of science with young people. This is a driving trip and is FREE to participating student volunteers.
Washington D.C.
Participants on this trip will volunteer in the nation's capital providing services to residents of the nation's largest transitional homeless shelter. Located just a few blocks from the Capitol Building, Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) serves the homeless community of Washington D.C. with 1,350 beds, food, clothing, and medical help for homeless men, women, and children. CCNV is committed to protecting the rights of the homeless, advocating on behalf of the underserved, and preparing homeless men and woman to re-enter into mainstream society as skilled and productive citizens. In addition to the shelter and food they provide, CCNV offers on-site services such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and education and cultural activities. Leading in the effort is CCNV's staff, all unpaid, the majority of whom were formerly homeless. This is a flying trip.
Yuma, Arizona
Trip Description Coming soon!