Alternative Breaks
What are you doing for YOUR Break?
What?
The Alternative Break program is an immersion experience into different cultural, environmental and socioeconomic communities across the nation. Students provide service in exchange for education about current social and cultural issues facing the host communities. Past trips have focused on such social/cultural issues as hunger, AIDS/HIV, housing, homelessness, Native American issues, and the environment, education, economic sustainability, and women’s issues.
Who?
Annually, approximately 120 Colorado State University students, ranging in age, major, upbringing, background, and interest, participate in an Alternative Break experience! This year, it could be YOU!
When?
Trips occur during winter, spring, and summer breaks at CSU. Summer breaks will occur between May 19 and May 20, 2008.
Where?
2008 Alternative Summer Break Locations
Florida City, FL and Biscayne National Park and Everglades Hostel
The purpose of this trip is to learn about the wildlife and endangered species found in the Florida Everglades. Volunteers will be removing debris from island beaches to create successful nesting areas for endangered sea turtles, and will also perform a variety of ongoing service projects for the National Park. Students will benefit from this fun learning experience, as will the organization. This trip will run from Monday, May 19, 2008 to Sunday, May 25, 2008.
Boulder Creek, CA and YMCA Camp Campbell Outdoor Science School (CCOSS)
CCOSS is a residential outdoor education program for 5th and 6th grade students. Located within the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, CCOSS has been serving students for over 25 years. Education comes to life in this unique setting as students experience the thrills of nature through hands-on lessons and activities. Participants will be staffing the camp for one week, living with the kids and helping CCOSS create an experience that promotes environmental awareness and wise use of our natural resources. This trip will run from Sunday, May 25 thru Friday, May 30, 2008.
Fairbanks, Alaska and Environment Conservation Project
The purpose of the Alaskan trip is to discover the types of ecological conservation of Alaska. Volunteering with the Alaskan Bird Observatory, the Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, and potentially with the Chena Renewable Geothermal Energy Plant, both students and organizations will benefit from this experience. Students will interactively mist net, band, and count birds, aid in farm maintenance projects, and expand their minds by learning about geothermal energy. This trip will run from May 19, 2008- May 28, 2008.
How?
There are two ways to participate!
- As a trip participant. For more information call Kate at 491-3579.
- As a Site Leader - Alternative Break Site Leaders coordinate trip logistics, site development, participant recruitment, and program planning. Site Leaders commit to a full year with the program, beginning in early fall, and attend a fifteen week Site Leader School. Site leader applications are available now!
More Information
For more information on Alternative Breaks at Colorado State University call 491-1682.