CCEL Student Team: Alternative Breaks
The Alternative Breaks program at Weber State University strives to cultivate community collaborators by offering students the opportunity to engage in direct service trips locally and abroad. We aim to give students a broader perspective of existing communities, discover the root causes of social issues, and create a desire to work alongside their home communities.
Spring 2024 - Students:
Alternative Spring Break applications for trip leaders and trip participants are now open!
After reviewing the following opportunities below, please click on the "Apply as a Trip Leader" or "Apply as a Trip Participant" button to begin your application process. Trip leaders will work with the trip advisor and community partner on trip logistics and learning opportunities on the trip. Trip participants will participate actively with what has been arranged before, during, and after the trip.
Apply as a Trip Leader! Apply as a Trip Participant (Kanab Only)! Apply as a Trip Participant (St. George Only)!
Spring 2024 - Staff Partner (exempt employees only):
Applications for WSU employees are now open!
Please review the Trip Details below to learn more about the Alternative Break opportunities available for Spring 2024. Then, please click on the "Apply Now" button to apply.
Community Collaborator Continuum
Member
Not aware of their role in social issues.
Volunteer
Well-intentioned but not well-educated about social issues.
Conscientious Engager
Concerned with discovering root causes; asks why; begins to connect the dots between systems of oppression.
Community Collaborator
Makes community a priority in their values and actions; allows community to lead the charge; understands the root causes and sees the interconnectedness between issues.
Pre-Break Transformation
To help prepare students for on-site experience and to provide initial education about site specific social issues.
- Education, orientation, and training
- Pre-break direct service
- Preflection: goals and expectations
- Icebreakers and group building
On-Break Transformation
Encourage participants to look critically at root causes of social issues & challenge to evaluate roles that they have in community.
- Strong direct service
- Ongoing education
- Community involvement
- Daily reflection tied to direct service and social issue education
Post-Break Transformation
Help participants find avenues for continued community involvement and support their efforts to take action locally.
- Organize or join small groups of thoughtful, committed citizens
- Continued education
- Reflection about reorientation process
- Post-break direct service, advocacy, and philanthropy
- Life choices that benefit the community
Credit: break-away.org
