Alternative Break Program >> Frequently Asked Questions

What are Alternative Break trips?

Alternative Break trips work with national and international communities by training and immersing students in a purposeful week-long service experience designed to connect students and community members while enhancing personal growth, mutual awareness and life long learning.

What do these trips do?

All trips provide students with issues and experiences they cannot find on the university campus. Trips have volunteered in soup kitchens, planted trees, repaired trails, constructed playgrounds, and most importantly, built relationships with those whom they are helping.

How do I sign up to participate?

There is a lot more interest in trips, than there are spaces on trips, so we use a lottery system. The lotteries for partcipants will take place at the beginning of November (for international and domestic flying trips), and at the end of Novemeber (for domestic driving trips). You'll sign up for a lottery number in Wilson 204 during the two days before the lottery. The lottery itself will take place in the Festival Ballroom. That night, all people that got a lottery number will come to the ballroom at 8pm sharp and stay until their number is drawn. As the numbers are drawn, students sign up for the trip of their choice and pay a deposit right then ($100 for driving trips, $200 for flying trips). We accept cash or checks made out to JMU/CS-L.

How much do the trips cost?

All the budgets are calculated together, then averaged out in a formula to get the cost per person. The price for domestic driving trips for the 2007-2008 school year was $225 per person. However, rising gas costs may change this figure. By maintaining a consistent cost per domestic trip our goal is to allow participants to choose a trip based on the service issue rather than the cost. The price varies for flying trips; last year the costs ranged from $400-$1,200 and the teams are responsible for fundraising.

Are international trips offered?

Yes. The location of international trips depend on the initiative of the student leaders and the location varies year to year. Their budget is separate and therefore fundraising efforts depend largely on the trip leaders and participants.

Are there scholarships available to pay for these trips?

Yes. The Alternative Break Program does not want to turn someone away due to finances. For that reason, we have need-based scholarships available. The first step in the scholarship process is filling out the application. This application is a Microsoft word file. Download it, complete it by the deadline, and bring the application to Wilson Hall room 204.

Is there an advisor?

All trips are required to have a faculty or staff learning partner. This person serves as a participant, contributing to group discussions and decisions like everyone else. Learning partners add a unique perspective based on their life experience and academic discipline. In emergency situations learning partners serve as an additional resource to trip leaders.

What makes these trips "alternative"?

These trips are alternative to your typical break trip because they involve a focus on others rather than on yourself. They are drug and alcohol free, offering students an alternative to the more "traditional" spring break. Particpants are immersed in the community, live, work, and eat meals together as a team. This experience allows students to be immersed in environments that enable them to interact with diverse communities and understand social issues.

Are these trips religious?

Most trips are not affiliated with religious organizations. Some are co-sponsored by religious organizations, and those will be clearly advertised as such. Certain types of service are done in partnership with non-profits and faith based organizations, however there is no requirement to participate in religious services. Also, some housing is provided at low or no cost from churches and other religious organizations.

How will we get there?

All domestic driving trips travel in mini-vans or 12-passenger vans, either from JMU transportation or from a local rental dealership. International and domestic trips that are farther than 1,000 miles away will fly. Participants with good driving records may be asked to drive, but no one is forced to drive.

What do we eat and where do we sleep?

Most accommodations are provided by the host site or determined by the trip leaders. Past trips have stayed in tents, or a church, cabin or in the actual service organization center. Food is also determined by each trip. Some sites provide meals, either for free or low-cost. Other trips have to buy and prepare all of their meals.

How many people will go on a trip?

Each trip consists of two student co-leaders, one learning partner and 7-12 participants.

How can I become a leader?

Trip leaders have very important roles. The commitment begins with submitting an application, meeting all deadlines, and attending the site leader training. For more information, click here.

Can my club sponsor an entire trip?

We do currently offer clubs and organizations the chance to go through the site leader training and reserve the sign-ups for their members. However, they are responsible for organizing their individual trip sign-ups and clarifying any budget questions with our staff.

Do you have a waiting list?

Yes. If you do not get on a trip during regular sign-ups, you can be placed on a waiting list. Deposits are not required to be put on a waiting list. There are typically some spots that become available after sign-ups and when that happens, the first person on the waiting list is then contacted.