Alternative Spring Break

Sponsored by Community Engagement, Linfield Alternative Spring Break is a week-long, service learning program during which students perform meaningful service in partnership with a nonprofit agency, learn about a specific social issue (poverty, the environment, or youth), and develop strong civic leadership skills to become active citizens.

Participating in ASB allows you to:

• Take steps toward becoming an active and empowered citizen
• Learn about the importance of non-profits, civic engagement, service-learning and philanthropy.
• Learn about a social issue, from root causes to related current events
• Grow your sense of community: what is it, and how it is formed?
• Explore your own identity as an agent of social change
• Develop multicultural awareness
• Develop and strengthen skills to help your future! This may include interpersonal, communication, working in groups and problem solving.
• Explore your own values and perceptions of the world, and engage in meaningful dialogue with peers
• Finally, spend your spring break applying your knowledge through service with a community partner and your peers!

We value:

• Exploration of personal values, social structures, empowering experiences, and gaining knowledge from peers and their experiences
• Values stemming from social justice: we seek to learn about justice for all, and how intersecting identities and privileges affect our selves and neighbors
• Greater knowledge of the world around us: we are students of life, and experiential learning will provide knowledge books can not

What does an Alternative Spring Break look like?
Each trip varies, but there are some basic themes.  Everyone completes at least 30 hours of service.  Days typically start at 7 am, and housing is typically in a nearby church. During the day, you will perform around 6 hours of service, and evening activities can include speakers, visits to local attractions, and team bonding over meals.  Wi-fi may or may not be available and while there is some downtime, the focus of the experience is service:  what did you do that day?  What was new?  Was anything challenging and why?  Our focus is to make you feel safe and comfortable- comfortably challenging you to consider how and why social issues present themselves. It's important we also learn as a group, with group discussion and reflections, gaining multiple perspectives around challenging social issues.  

What is included in the cost?

Meals, housing, transportation, some donations for community partners, some supplies, and funds for a group outing.

How much does this cost?

Costs vary. 

Is Fundraising available?

Yes! Ultimately, the more work participants are willing to do with fundraising, the less the final cost will be.  

Are these trips safe?

Safety is our number one priority. Each group is accompanied by a staff/faculty adviser, and risk management considerations are paramount while designing the trips.

ASB Timeline:

• Early November: applications are open for ASB participants. 
• Early December: acceptance and trip placement information is provided to students.
• December: first trip deposit due; begin fundraising campaign via crowdfunding.
• February-March: weekly meetings with ASB groups and continued fundraising.
• March: head out on your ASB trip! Have fun!

Support the Alternative Spring Break program

Thank you to all our generous donors who have supported our Alternative Spring Break programs in years past! If you are interested in supporting future ASB programs, please email Director of Community Engagement, Adrian Hammond at ahammond@linfield.edu.