FAQ

Like anything, what you get out of participating depends on what you put into it. Here are some details that we hope help clarify what an average commitment looks like:

• After applying, participants are asked to commit to their program by signing a participant agreement form and putting down a non-refundable deposit to reserve their placement.

• Each alternative break group participates in five 1-hr pre-departure meetings.

• All participants attend a kick-off event to meet all the alternative breakers and learn about fundraising.

• All participants assist with a minimum of 4 hours of fundraising, and any requirements set for the AWOL Fundraising Drive that raises money for our scholarships.

• Over break, you will complete approximately 28-35 volunteer hours of service, plus approximately 10-15 hours of learning and reflection.

• After break, all participates will participate in a re-orientation final reflection and celebration. Winter, spring, and summer all have different re-orientation requirements to best fit needs.

Every year we have some repeated sites and some new ones. We love cultivating new connections with community partners in new locations, but we enjoy further developing our relationships with old partners as well.

Each location is different. Accommodations will depend on if housing is provided by a community partner organization or not.

Groups working with a National Park or other outdoor project may camp in tents outside as part of the experience.

Groups that have housing provided by the community partner may stay at a house or recreation facility that the community partner owns.

Groups that do not have housing provided the community partners may stay at a church, camp facility, and other community centers.

Groups that are more than 15 hours from Vermillion will have an overnight stay, usually at a hotel/motel. Rooms will be shared.

It is very likely that housing will include:

• Sleeping in one large room. Occasionally there may be more than one room.

• Sleeping in a multi-person tent if camping.

• Sleeping on a floor. This may or may not be carpeted. Occasionally cots, furniture, or beds may be available for use.

• Using your own bedding. Most groups are required to bring a sleeping pad or air mattress, a sleeping bag, and a pillow.

• Sharing showering and bathroom facilities. Some facilities may have a single-user shower and toilets, others may use a group structure (such as those found at a gym or dormitory). Participants are required to provide their own shower items including a towel, shower shoes, and toiletries.

Please view the photo album for examples from past groups.

Each location is different. Occasionally a community partner or organization provides your meals, all other groups must plan their own meals.

Some considerations:

• Meals, from cooking to clean-up, will be shared among the group.

• Some community partners where the meals are provided are from vegetarian communities (e.g. Plenitud in Peurto Rico)

• You will be asked to list food allergies and restrictions during the application process. While this will be shared with responsible organizers, it is still your responsibility to talk to your site leaders about accommodations that you require.

• Alternative breaks follow a budget that mimics the USDA thrifty-meal plan. https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans-cost-food-reports. If you are accustomed to more expensive food choices, this is something we ask you to reflect on prior to your alternative break. Using a similar budget as the thrifty-meal plan is an opportunity to discuss with your group food insecurity, an issue that impacts multiple populations and is interconnected with the focus of most alternative breaks. Example meals include:

  • Pop-tarts, yogurt, and cereal bars for breakfast

  • Basic sandwiches (e.g. PB&J or turkey and cheese), chips, and fruit for lunch

  • Chicken and rice, spaghetti, or chili for supper

  • Hint: If you have a great meal idea for a group - speak up!

• When meals are not provided by the community partner, a community meal may be part of the budget depending on where the group is traveling. Community meals can be taken at a restaurant and is usually is an opportunity to try a local/famous dish. (e.g. BBQ in Kansas City)

• Meals during travel are either prepared and brought with the group or they may include a quick meal such as a pizza from Casey's.

The cost of an Alternative Break depends on whether or not the group is traveling domestically or international, and if they will be traveling by vehicle or airplane. International destinations typically cost from $1,400 to $2,000, while domestic destinations typically cost between $225 and $275.

Costs are posted when applications are opened for the academic year, so students are always aware of how much their participation will cost.

AWOL participates in a variety of fundraising opportunities that everyone benefits from in the form of a credit to their USD accounts. Students may also apply for a need and merit based scholarship.

Participants that return a contract are billed a $50 non-refundable deposit to reserve their spot. This fee goes to administrative costs including application management, and pre-ordering participants an AWOL t-shirt. The remaining program fees are due depending on when your alternative break takes place. Billing and payments are routed through the USD Business Office and can be paid online through SDePay or in-person in the Business Office in Slagle Hall.

Refunds are considered case-by-case. A refund (minus the non-refundable deposit) is possible so long as the withdrawal is expressed in writing at least 4 weeks prior to the scheduled departure. Only amounts that have not been paid for by the University on your behalf can be refunded. For example, flights, registration fees, housing deposits, etc. usually cannot be refunded. Airline tickets will be purchased well in advance (2-3 months), and once purchased, you will be billed for this amount.

Students traveling internationally (including Puerto Rico) will automatically be enrolled in insurance which may cover costs for certain cancellations, but not all. Documentation of the reason why you cannot travel may be expected for the removal of fees or refunds. For any travel, with uncertainties like COVID, purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance is recommended. Students who want insurance should shop around to find what fits their needs. This is an example travel insurance site to help get you started.

Although AWOL does not require any prior service or volunteer experience to apply, applicants should have a strong interest in the mission of AWOL and service-learning. Many participants will have some type of past volunteer experiences, and skills to share with the group.

Attitude does play a significant role; it is important that your goals and motivation for joining an alternative break are the right fit. Service-learning is different than volunteerism; if you are only looking to fill a community service requirement, the USD AWOL program may not be the best choice for you. If you need help finding volunteer hours, there are many places in Vermillion that you may want to consider contacting. Feel free to reach out to the Gallagher Center if you need help finding volunteer work.

Volunteer work on an alternative break is based on the needs of the community partner. For some tasks, manual/physical labor is expected, as is getting dirty. This is particularly true for groups who have a focus on the environment, sustainability, public lands, etc. where you are working outside. For example, such groups may move rocks for a trail, clear evasive species using tools, or pull weeds. This may also be the case for a group that has a focus on affordable housing; they may work with an organization that builds houses, for example. Other manual labor tasks might include moving large items, painting, or cleaning. This is not an exhaustive list.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a spot as sometimes student demand is greater than what we can offer. This is why we incorporate a detailed application process so that we can get to know you and find the best possible fit.

The more flexible a student is in their choices, the easier they are to place. After the initial placement in the fall, AWOL usually has a few openings remaining on one or two programs. If you have no restrictions, you will be placed.

The strongest candidates are the those who show a sincere interest in learning something new about a social issue (not just selecting the social issue that, on the surface, is the closest match to their area of study), is committed to serving and growing as an individual, and demonstrates a desire to have community become a priority in their life.

Site leaders are student leaders who have been selected to develop, plan, and coordinate the alternative break. They are trained by AWOL Board members. They choose the community partners who you'll work with, coordinate trip logistics, and lead your meetings and the group while on-site. They are a participants go to for support and guidance.

Learning Partners are USD employed faculty, staff, or graduate assistants, who are also part of the group and do the same activities as participants. They may assist the site-leaders if needed, but their primary role is to add to the group dynamic by bringing expertise on certain topics as well as life experience.

Alternative breaks are different from the average volunteer experience because they emphasize learning along with serving. This means we work to develop our understanding and awareness about social issues and what it means to be an engaged and active citizen.

We prepare participants for the hands-on experience through holding 5 group meetings before you leave on break. During these meetings site-leaders use readings, videos, and discussions about the social issue, the location, the community partners, and the AWOL program itself to help educate you.

Annother advatage of the pre-departure meeting is that you get to know the other students in your group! :) Each meetings usually last about an hour each. The meeting day/time is decided by group availability.

Definitely! Because the application process is available online, you can apply from anywhere. We would never turn down an interested applicant and would be happy to work with your situation.

Alternative breaks are during the academic breaks, so you never have to miss any classes. Meetings and orientations are usually held in the evenings and are often scheduled based on participant availability.

Both AWOL and the University of South Dakota take measures to ensure student safety before, during, and after their alternative break experiences. Trip locations are proposed and approved in advance, and site leaders and learning partners undergo specific instruction before the group departs. There are a few activities that are prohibited during an Alternative Break that also offer precautionary measures:

• Participants remain with the group throughout the travel period. There is downtime, but no free time to leave and do your own thing. If participants need to leave the group for emergencies or legitimate reasons, a divergent travel request must be completed and signed. Unless it is an emergency, divergent travel should be planned in advance. Divergent travel is always cleared with the Site Leaders and AWOL Advisor before separating from the group. Participants should consider safety and financial risks before deciding to diverge from an alternative break schedule.

• AWOL has a no alcohol and drug policy. Engaging in such activity does not fit with the Alternative Break Movement objectives and groups will not visit establishments where the primary activity is the consumption of alcohol (i.e. bars/nightclubs) at any time during the program. (When going on a community meal, restaurants that serve alcohol are permitted.)

• Every group will be assigned a Learning Partner who should be used as a resource to help the group make good decisions and mitigate risk.

• A staff member of the Gallagher Center will remain on-call during the duration of the alternative break period to provide additional assistance as needed.

• All participants are expected to complete the pre-departure orientation and ask their site leaders, learning partner, or the AWOL advisor if they have questions or concerns.

If you are interested in leading an alternative break or weekend, please email awol@usd.edu and we will answer your questions and walk you through the process!

If you have already participated in an AWOL alternative break and are interested in becoming a site leader, you should talk to your current or former site leader(s). Every spring, applications for alternative break site leaders come out, and if your previous site leader knows you are interested, they can help you with any questions or concerns you might have!

Alternative weekends offer a local experience. They are a great way to get to know the communities and issues around you. Some of AWOL's past alternative weekends have taken groups to work with the Crow Creek reservation, St. Francis House in Sioux Falls, Open Door Mission in Omaha, Habitat for Humanity in Yankton, and more.

Most alternative weekends are 1 day, Saturday between 8:00-5:00, but some overnight opportunities may be offered too. Depending on the destination and service, the group may depart Friday afternoon instead, or return Sunday afternoon.

AWOL usually coordinates one a month during the academic year. We try to set the dates for alternative weekends a semester in advance, and we typically get details out about the issue and location a few weeks before the service date.

This AWOL program is subsidized to give you a great low-cost opportunity. The $5 fee covers your transportation, any learning or service materials, meals while with the group, and overnight housing if needed.