UT Dallas Alternative Spring Break

Registration for Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is now closed.

See Comets in Action

See Comets in action by watching videos from ASB 2019 and previous years on the OSV YouTube page. For more information about ASB 2024, contact the OSV office by email.

  • Students with donkeys on Alternative Spring Break

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is an immersive week of hands-on service, leadership-building and relationship-building supplemented with education and reflection. Students have the chance to make an impact on communities around the U.S. and learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the country.

This year, ASB will be an in-person immersive experience featuring a variety of opportunities to serve, learn about and connect with communities. Under the guidance of a student site leader and a university staff member, participants serve together throughout the week of spring break. Prior to service, students take part in team activities and meetings to get to know each other, learn about the community partners they will be working with and undergo an introduction to their project impact area. Participation culminates in a reflection reception in April where teams reunite and share about their ASB experiences, as well as discuss ways for continued civic engagement and community outreach.

2024 Experiences and Trip Descriptions

Addiction & Recovery

Partner: Ashby House
Location: Salina, Kansas
Travel: Van
Lodging: House
Cost: $200

Ashby House is dedicated to empowering homeless families and individuals to improve self-sufficiency, self-advocacy and holistic recovery. Past projects included prep and painting apartments for the transitional housing program, sorting and organizing donations, gardening projects and painting and renovation at the main office building. Past participants have also worked in the daycare program and observed life skills classes.

Animal Services

Partner: Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
Location: San Angelo, Texas
Travel: Van
Lodging: Remodeled house with bunk beds
Cost: $120

Join Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in their mission to provide a safe and loving environment for abused, neglected or abandoned donkeys. Participants will assist in caring for adoptable donkeys as well as with day-to-day basic grounds work, including but not limited to habitat maintenance, construction, organization and cleanup.

Basic Needs & Ally Services
Co-sponsored by the Galerstein Community Center

Partner: Various organizations throughout the community
Location: Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Travel: Van
Lodging: N/A
Cost: $50, to be reimbursed upon completion of the trip.

Want to learn more about services in the DFW area and help create safer and more inclusive spaces? Join local organizations in their missions to develop, support and advocate for communities in need. Participants will explore issues of privilege, discuss what it means to be an ally and learn about the historical causes and contemporary issues impacting communities. Volunteers may assist with meal distribution, community outreach and education and administrative tasks.

Coastal Conservation
Co-sponsored by Office of Sustainability

Partner: Galveston Bay Foundation
Location: Kemah, Texas
Travel: Van
Lodging: Airbnb
Cost: $200

Interested in participating in an immersive week of outdoor activities? Join the Galveston Bay Foundation and assist in beautifying and maintaining the Texas coastline. Tasks may include native plant propagation, seagrass restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, dune restoration, invasive species removal and general support of Galveston Bay Foundation’s mission.

Disability & Special Needs

Partner: Camp Summit
Location: Paradise, Texas
Travel: Van
Lodging: Cabins with bunk beds
Cost: $75

Camp Summit is a one-of-a-kind camp for individuals with disabilities where the emphasis is on each camper’s abilities rather than their disabilities. Their goal is to help children and adults with disabilities reach their own personal peak by providing recreational, therapeutic and social activities in an authentic, natural camp setting. ASB participants will work on different projects including general camp maintenance and assisting in programming for the campers and counselors.

Healthcare

Partner: Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Travel: Van
Lodging: Airbnb
Cost: $250

Arkansas Children’s Hospital is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S., with a Level I trauma center that serves children from birth to age 21. Participants will support behind-the-scenes hospital operations, organize donations and medical supplies, assist with clerical work and lead enrichment activities with patients

Please note: ACH has specific requirements for volunteers, such as passing a criminal background check, a TB test, up-to-date vaccination status and more. The full list of requirements is available on their website.  

Hunger & Homelessness
Co-sponsored by Fraternity & Sorority Life

Partner: San Antonio Food Bank
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Travel: Van
Lodging: Airbnb
Cost: No cost for Fraternity & Sorority Life members. Contact FSL for information.

Join forces with the San Antonio Food Bank and spend the week learning and serving through their urban garden program, the Kids Café, Haven for Hope and food warehouse programs. Hands-on service and educational sessions will provide participants with insight into the social issues impacting the city of San Antonio. Service tasks may include sorting food donations, serving meals, gardening and other outreach projects.

Please note: This trip is exclusive to members of UTD Fraternity & Sorority Life community. Interested participants should contact the Fraternity & Sorority Life office for details.

Park Maintenance & Preservation

Partner: American Hiking Society
Location: Moran State Park, Orcas Island, Washington
Travel: Flight, ferry, van
Lodging: Cabins with bunk beds
Cost: $650

Alternative Breaks with the American Hiking Society combine day hiking, trail work, exploration, crew camaraderie and fun into a week’s time. Moran State Park has a wide variety of possible projects for all skill levels. Beginner projects may include trail opening, brushing and cleaning trails in preparation for summer, pulling invasive weeds or cleaning and prepping hike-in tent sites. Moderate projects may include minor trail repairs, sign installation and routine trail maintenance. Experienced projects may include full trail repair and trail re-routes.

Please note: Prior hiking or trail maintenance experience is not necessary, but volunteers should plan to hike up to three miles per day. Transportation on this trip includes both plane and boat travel.

Wilderness Exploration
Co-sponsored by University Recreation

Partner: Buffalo National River
Location: Gilbert, Arkansas
Travel: Van
Lodging: Primitive camping
Cost: $200

Buffalo National River was established in 1972 as the country’s first national river. It includes 4,293 acres and approximately 135 miles of free-flowing river within the boundaries of the park. The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Projects may include trail maintenance for over 100 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, water quality sampling and creel surveys to help collect data on fish populations.

Please note: This trip will involve primitive camping in tents for lodging and may include shared or outdoor restroom facilities. Participants may not have access to electricity and wi-fi during the trip.

Disaster Relief & Management

Partner: Soul NOLA and others
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Travel: Flight, Van
Lodging: Airbnb
Cost: $400

Come together with Soul NOLA in their restoration and disaster relief activities in New Orleans. Participants will explore local communities and help rebuild city landscapes by planting trees on designated streets that have been affected by floods. In addition to tree plantation projects, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with food banks and schools to improve the current hunger disparity and actively contribute to after-school programs.

Please note: Tree planting is a physical activity with medium levels of exertion. Participants will be provided with all necessary aid to execute this project.