Alternative Breaks

Engage with community issues through service

Alternative Breaks is an opportunity for K-State students to participate in an intensive service experience during your winter, spring, and weekend breaks. Travel to sites around the midwest where you will work with local residents to learn how communities are addressing pressing social issues. Breaks are open to K-State undergraduate, graduate, and international students. Participants and site leaders will receive training before the trip.

Adelaide Easter, senior in agricultural economics and global food systems leadership, did a walk-and-talk with the Staley School to share her experience over Spring Break on an Alternative Break to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, specifically to serve within the Cherokee Nation. Hear from Adelaide at this link.

Strengthen your leadership skills

Alternative breakers learn through service. You will be challenged to prepare, act, reflect, and evaluate your service experience. This approach to service is more than volunteering, it allows you to better understand community impact and builds your personal leadership practice.

Fees and scholarships

The participant fee covers transportation via Enterprise Rentals, a grocery/food stipend and housing. Participants and site leaders are eligible for full or partial scholarships to cover the cost of their Alternative Break experience.

Week breaks

• Site Leaders: $125 total ($50 non-refundable + $75)
• Participants: $250 total ($50 non-refundable + $200)

Weekend breaks

• Cost is $10, participants will attend one team meeting prior to service experience.

Requirements

For site leaders

• Complete the application.
• Attend three hours of site leader trainings and one hour of one-on-one preparation with your co-site leader prior to your Alternative Break experience.
• Facilitate one pre-trip meeting with your Alternative Break Team.
• Work alongside staff to facilitate Active Citizen Summit activities with your team.
• Guide your team through daily reflections during the break. ​
• Provide logistical support for your team before and during break (transportation and purchasing).

For participants

• Complete the application.
• Attend Active Citizen Summit, one team meeting prior to break, and Active Citizen Summit Part II and be an engaged participant during all interactions.

About Our Locations

 

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.