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.

Upcoming Alternative Breaks

Weekend Break
Nov. 15-16: La Harpe, Kansas, Allen County

Participants will have a transformative weekend of service in La Harpe helping with a community clean-up. Participants leave Manhattan in the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 15, will join the community clean-up Saturday morning, and will return to Manhattan that evening.

Cost to participate is $10 per participant/site leader. Participants and site leaders will receive training before the trip.

Winter Break
Jan. 12-15: Kansas City, Missouri; Garden City, Kansas; or Springfield, Missouri

Select which location you will travel to and engage in meaningful service to address a community issue. Participants and site leaders will receive training before the trip.

Request Information

Spring Break
March 15-19: Tahlequah, Oklahoma; or Dallas, Texas

Select which location you will travel to and engage in meaningful service to address a community issue. Participants and site leaders will receive training before the trip.

Request Information

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.

Alternative Breaks

Engage with community issues through service