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Step 1
Determine what you want to do or who you want to help. There are a number of different populations and organizations that need your assistance, and it’s important that you choose a cause or people that you are passionate about helping. Doing so will make your project more fun for you as well as provide you with more positive feelings after your trip is over.
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Step 2
Pick a place to go. All states and cities in the United States have nonprofit organizations that are in need of assistance. Almost anywhere can make a great place for you to take an alternative spring break trip. In fact there are even some opportunities for you to volunteer overseas, although this may not be ideal for spring break since most colleges and universities are only granted a week. The time it takes to travel to the location could greatly diminish the impact you may be able to have on the people or organization, which is why most students choose to stay closer to home for the location for their alternative spring break trip.
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Step 3
Make a budget for the project. Most people don’t consider how important a budget is when finding a project, but it is a critical. Knowing how much money you can spend on your alternative spring break will help you determine whether a location or a project is doable for you and the others traveling with you. The further you travel the more money you have to pay in transportation costs. In addition, other expenses such as food and lodging can vary from one location to another, especially since some organizations cover them while others do not. This is why it is important to know how much money you can spend in order to get a project that is affordable for you and the other college students that will be going on limited funds.
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Step 4
Search for projects using the Alternative Breaks website (see Resources below). Once you know what you would like to do, where you want to go and what your budget is for the trip you can begin searching for actual projects and organizations. Alternative Breaks is a website affiliated with colleges and universities across the United States that take alternative break trips. They list many organizations that have hosted alternative break teams from others schools in the past. Using a project or organization familiar with alternative break trips can be a great advantage to you since they are familiar with the process and generally have connections for lodging, food and other accommodations.
