At the School of Leadership Studies, our mission drives both our academics and our co-curricular programming. Join students outside the classroom to

Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks is an opportunity for students to participate in an intense service experience during their spring and winter breaks. Participants travel to communities around the country where they work with local residents to address a pressing social issue.

Winter Break 2008-2009 Sites

Two Alternative Breaks are planned with Habitat for Humanity for Winter Break during the week of January 4th -10th.

Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast has 200 homes completed or under construction since Hurricane Katrina and is committed to serving families in need. They are working hard to achieve their mission to build 800 homes by 2012. Students will be working in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County, Texas needs volunteers to help with rebuilding efforts in the Beaumont and Galveston, Texas communities after the recent damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

No construction experience is required. Skilled volunteers will be on-site to guide and train other volunteers.

Priority applications are due October 7th, 2008 in the Civic Leadership office at 2323 Anderson Avenue, Suite 125.

Spring Break 2009 Sites

Six Spring Break trips are being planned for the week of March 15th – 21st. Details are subject to change.

AIDS Services of Dallas – Dallas, Texas
This will be the 7th consecutive year in which K-State students have helped provide support to AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD) in Dallas, Texas. ASD is a nonprofit organization that provides medically supportive housing to low-income persons and families impacted by HIV/AIDS. Because ASD is a non-profit organization, it is very dependent upon the support of volunteers to accomplish its goals. Past projects have included building a gazebo, creating flyers for distribution, visiting with clients, and organizing birthday parties and other special events.

Save the Family Foundation of Arizona – Phoenix, Arizona
The mission of Save the Family is to help children in homeless families by treating the whole family with programs to break the negative cycles of poverty, abuse, and homelessness. They strengthen communities in the Phoenix, Arizona area by facilitating the transition of families to financial and emotional self-sufficiency. Volunteers help in a variety of ways including making repairs, painting homes, tutoring youth, and planning special events.

Cumberland Trail Conference – Lafollette, Tennessee
The mission of the Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC) is to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Tennessee, conserve natural resources, and provide educational and recreational opportunities through the development and completion of the Cumberland Trail Corridor. Volunteers will clear limbs and bushes from the trail, build rock steps and footbridges, and cut into hillsides and ridges to make a level trail. Since the trail runs through isolated areas, volunteers will hike from 5 to 10 miles per day.

Other tentative Alternative Spring Break service sites are:
- Alta Vista Center for Autism in Denver, Colorado
- Social service agencies in Chicago, Illinois
- Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, Louisiana

Applications are due Friday, November 21st in the Civic Leadership office at 2323 Anderson Avenue, Suite 125.

Past Projects

Follow the links below for photos, project descriptions, and student testimonials of past projects.

• Spring Break 2008
• Spring Break 2007
• Spring Break 2006
• Spring Break 2005
• Spring Break 2004

Building on Breaks Student Organization

The purpose of Building on Breaks is to assist Civic Leadership in the research, planning, and implementation of service trips that strengthen US communities. These trips will be active service alternatives to other winter and spring break options for K-State students.

Officers for 2008-2009:

Break Away Membership

K-State is a member of Break Away. Break Away's mission is to train, assist, and connect campuses and communities in promoting quality alternative break programs that inspire lifelong active citizenship.

Application and Selection Process

To apply, complete the CSP application and return to Civic Leadership located in the Foundation Center at 2323 Anderson Ave, Ste 125.