Alternative Break

Connect with communities around the world through direct service by participating in an Alternative Break trip.

Participants spend 5-9 days learning about critical challenges facing communities, interacting with local leaders, and performing short-term projects with community agencies. Students selected to participate in the Spring program are eligible to enroll in SOIS-300 Community Development, Alt. Break course (3 credit hours) offered in partnership with the School of Individualized Study.

502

student volunteers

12,860

hours of service

$304,450

total economic impact

25

cities served

Spring 2024 Locations

  • Common Ground Relief: Wetland Preservation & Community Development in New Orleans, La. Trip Cost: $675 
  • Grow Ohio Valley: Food Justice in Wheeling, W.Va. Trip Cost: $350
  • Campus Pride: Cultivating Inclusive Communities in Charlotte, N.C. Trip Cost: $550 
  • American Hiking Society: Protected Land Policy in Cloudland Canyon State Park, Ga. Trip Cost: $550 

Past Locations

Domestic

International

Map of the United States with map markers on past locations of Alternative Spring Break.

Media and Testimonials

Jack Nelson’s Alternative Break Experience

Olivia Williams’ Alternative Break Experience

Ricky Witherspoon’s Alternative Break Experience

Claire Finnerty’s Alternative Break Experience

Ben Marus’ Alternative Break Experience

Rachel Tassoni’s Alternative Break Experience

Tony Mendoza’s Alternative Break Experience

2018 Alternative Break: Disaster Relief in Houston

Alternative Break Leadership Opportunities

Become a Leadership Scholar and work alongside staff in the Center to Leadership and Civic Engagement to plan and organize Alternative Break trips.

To learn more, email lead@rit.edu.

An R I T student sawing through a small fallen tree.