Alternative Breaks Leader Info

Do you want to lead an Alternative Break trip? You must fill out the Leader Proposal (download below).

Download the "Guide to Planning an Alternative Break Trip"

Please read here about how trips are approved:

Alternative Break Trip proposals are comprised of three components. The three components in your proposal are examined by the Alternative Break Review Committee, (made up of students and staff), and all three components must meet the required criteria in order to be approved as an Alternative Break trip. Sometimes the proposals are given tentative approval and students are requested to change or revise some aspect of the proposal. Students are also given the opportunity to meet with members of the Committee.

The three components are:
I. Student Leader/coordinator
II. Trip proposal
III. Staff/faculty sponsor

I. Essential conditions for Student Coordinators:
• Leadership skills
• Participant on an Alternative Break program or comparable travel experience
• Knowledge of area/destination country
• Language ability (if applicable)
• Dedication to social justice (please see definition of Alternative Breaks on homepage for discussion of social justice)

II. The trips are reviewed for approval based on the following criteria:
• Social justice theme articulated
• Social justice theme represented in proposed itinerary and activities
• Proposal well-planned and well-thought out
• Trip is feasible
• Trip is safe
• Students/staff have connections to high quality local organizations, individuals or trip service providers

III. Staff/faculty Sponsor (students choose appropriate staff or faculty to accompany trip):
• Experience in country or region
• Expertise on the issues being addressed
• Experience with Alternative Breaks and service-learning/social justice a plus

 

Useful forms for leaders of Alternative Break trips:

Leader proposal: Please download and fill out this form in order to obtain preliminary approval for trip.

Budget Worksheet. This will help you create the budget for the trip.

The deadline for Winter '08 proposals is June 2, 2008

The deadline for Spring '09 proposals is September 15, 2008

The deadline for Summer '09 proposals is November 24, 2008

 

Participant application. This participant application can be modified for your specific trip.

 

Final itinerary form. This must be filled out to get final approval for trip.

 

Proposals should also be emailed to: sumka@american.edu in theCommunity Service Center.

 

Consent & Release Form.

This needs to be filled out by all trip participants and leaders, including staff/faculty.

Please download Consent & Release form for your trip. Return completed form with signature to Shoshanna in the Community Service Center. Mary Graydon 273.