Welcome to UConn Community Outreach’s Alternative Breaks Trips!
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we are planning 10 Alternative Breaks trips. You can see trips below and the application link. Before applying for trips, we recommend reviewing Components of an Alternative Breaks and checking out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
All alternative breaks trips include housing, transportation, and food within participant cost. We seek to make the trips participant costs as affordable as possible for all our participants. Participants that are selected for a trip will receive a form to apply for financial support if needed.
We really appreciate the support of our UConn Storrs USG (Undergraduate Student Government) who significantly helps to reduce participants' cost for Storrs undergraduate students.
Note: For regional campus students, we are working with regional campuses to try and make fees comparable to UConn Storrs students. Please reach out to Staff Coordinator Carl (carl.soares@uconn.edu) about estimate costs.
Applications are closed for 2023-2024 Alternative Breaks.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Rachel, Student Coordinator of Alternative Breaks: uconn.co.altbreaks@gmail.com.
Fall Weekend Trip
Environmental Conservation
Environmental Conservation
During this weekend-long service, participants will come together for an immersive experience to learn and practice strategies to combat environmental issues. In the past, the group has worked on beach clean-ups, removal of invasive species, and caring for native ecosystems. Participants will return with a more thorough understanding of ecosystems, environmental issues, and sustainability in their community.
Dates: November 3-5, 2023
Trip Director: Holly Garfield
Location: Groton, CT
Participant Cost: $40- Storrs Undergrad and Avery Point Campus Students
Winter Trips
Community Development
Community Development
Throughout this 10 day service-learning experience, participants will work alongside local community members to support local infrastructure projects and community initiatives. Participants will engage in education and reflection focused on topics such as social mobility, sustainability, the impacts of policy on the community and more. By the end of their experience, participants will develop skills to be more engaged citizens in their communities.
Dates: January 3- January 13, 2024
Trip Director: Mayra Vasquez
Location: Costa Rica
UConn Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $700
Participants pay participant cost here.
Community Sustainability
Community Sustainability
During this 10 day service-learning immersive experience, participants will develop meaningful relationships with community members and work closely alongside the community members to support local community initiatives
Participants will engage in immersion, education and reflection focused on topics such as social mobility, housing security, sustainability, food security, and more. We will also look deeper into Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States and the impact of US policy on the community. By the end of their experience, participants will develop skills to be more engaged citizens in their communities.
Dates: January 3- January 13, 2024
Trip Director: Ananya Aggarwal
Location: Puerto Rico
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $575
Weekend- Spring Trips
Housing Security
Housing Security
This weekend service-learning immersion trip will be focused on housing security and the impact it has on the individuals within and around the community. Through service at establishments such as homeless shelters and soup kitchens, participants will be able to learn about the intricacies of housing insecurity and how to advocate for individuals affected by this issue.
Dates: April 5-7, 2024
Trip Director: Haley Crim
Location: New Bedford, MA
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $40
Participants pay for trip here.
HIV AIDS/Awareness and Advocacy
HIV AIDS/Awareness and Advocacy
During this service-learning experience, participants will be working with local organizations committed to supporting those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In addition to learning about HIV/AIDS from a scientific standpoint, there will be a focus on the social and cultural implications and broader inequities in healthcare. Students will gain awareness of communities affected by HIV/AIDS through their service and develop skills that they can use to further advocate within their own communities.
Dates: February 9-11, 2024
Trip Director: Jennifer Yang
Location: New York City
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $50
Spring Break Trips
Community Development
Community Development
Over this week-long service experience, participants will immerse themselves and learn about the complexities of access to resources in a rural community, serving with the organization Sunset Gap to support ongoing community initiatives. Participants will look deeper into the root causes of poverty and its impact on health and education, as well as how stereotypes in less populated regions perpetuate poverty systems. Through their service, participants will create tangible connections with community members and will continue to develop as community collaborators.
Dates: March 9-16, 2024
Trip Director: Delia Lin
Location: Cosby, TN
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost:$180
Food Systems
Food Systems
During this service-learning experience, participants will seek to understand food systems and their intersections with poverty. Through working with establishments such as homeless shelters, food pantries, farms, and social work centers, participants will support communities with local community initiatives aimed to address food insecurity, learn strategies to combat food insecurity, and advocate for food justice in their own communities.
Dates: March 10- 16, 2024
Trip Director: Damini L
Location: New Haven, CT
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $80
Healthcare Access and Education
Healthcare Access and Education
During this service-learning experience, participants will seek to understand health access disparities and the impact of the social determinants of health. Through their work with healthcare-related organizations, participants will learn about health equity and develop skills that allow them to become advocates in their own communities.
Dates: March 10-16, 2024
Trip Director: Izzy Helgeson
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $140
Participants pay for trip here.
Native American Cultural Preservation
Native American Cultural Preservation
During this service-learning experience, students will have the opportunity to learn about cultural preservation and engage in activities to support the community. Students will foster our long-standing relationship with the Cherokee Nation and as they engage in meaningful interactions, they will gain insights into the profound significance of cultural heritage, awareness and sensitivity. Upon their return, participants will be able to utilize their skillset to continue as advocates for local tribes and contribute to creating a more inclusive and respectful society that values and supports the traditions of Native American communities.
Dates: March 10- 16, 2024
Trip Director: Saachi Shah
Location: Oklahoma
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $270
Participants pay for trip here.
Racial Justice
Racial Justice
Through this service-learning experience, participants will enhance their knowledge, awareness, and skills around racial justice and to become stronger advocates for racial equity. Students will gain awareness of communities affected by racial injustices through their service and develop skills that they can use to further advocate within their own communities.
Dates: March 10-16, 2024
Trip Director: Still looking for Trip Director. Let us know if you are interested.
Location: Washington, DC
Storrs Undergrad Participant Cost: $160
Participants pay for trip here.