2009-2010 Opportunities
October Breaks: October 21-24, 2009
October Alternative Break Applications are now available!
Click here for an application.
All applications are due October 1 with a $10 participation fee. Please turn these into the Kirk Center Office (Chapel, lower level). The application process will remain open until available spots are filled.
January Breaks: January 2-9, 2010
Click here for an application. Return by Monday, October 26 for maximum consideration of your first choice.
February Breaks: February 27- March 6, 2010
Click here for an application. Return by Friday, November 6 for maximum consideration of your first choice.
Alternative Break 
Alternative Break trips offer students the opportunity to spend time in generous service to others while traveling outside the Alma community. The work may include building homes for those in need, working in a food bank or providing child care in a homeless shelter. Through service to others, issues education, group fellowship and recreation, students reflect on what is important to them in their lives.
These service opportunities have been well received by Alma College students and staff. The program has grown from a single trip of 20 participants in 2003 to twelve week-long trips during the 2008-2009 school year.
Most service teams are 8-12 in number except when we partner with agencies that provide bus transportation and encourage larger groups of volunteers. Each group has student leaders and a staff advisor. The entire service team meets regularly during the winter term to better understand the social issue they will encounter as well as the culture of the local area and other factors.
Alternative Break participants have fun serving others, learning about social issues and experiencing local culture. Each trip includes time to sight see, enjoy an ethnic restaurant or relax with friends. All of the trips are alcohol and drug free.
Multiple alternative break trips will engage students in a choice of generous service during the winter term break in late February. With significant subsidy from the Center for Responsible Leadership, these trips are available to students for as little as $100.
Students take a special role in designing and leading the alternative break trips. For many students, this additional responsibility is a joy. Vicky Wilson '05 and Dan Martin '06 were the student leaders on the 2005 trip to Laredo, Texas. Vicky wrote of her experience in this way:
"We were blessed just to be able to serve on our Spring Break with Habitat for Humanity, but then we were given the opportunity to actually lead a trip, and it was the experience of a lifetime! I learned so much about myself, Dan, and God's power and guidance in our lives throughout the planning stages and while leading the trip itself. It was wonderful to meet and work with the Habitat affiliate in Laredo, they taught us the true meaning of service and family. I am so thankful for this experience, and would like to find a way to continue to participate now that I have graduated!"
Students interested in helping to plan or led an Alternative Break trip should contact Sallie Scheide or Christie Schichtel.
Campus location: Kirk Center, lower level of Dunning Memorial Chapel
