11 Websites HBCU Students Should Explore for Alternative Spring Break Plans

An Alternative Spring Break experience is a way for college students to spend spring break doing less partying and more volunteering in programs that impact real lives.  Volunteering and service to community is not a foreign concept to HBCU students who already volunteer in their communities.  Many HBCU students already have a tradition of giving back and so spending a week in an alternative spring break experience shouldn't be a challenge.  

Whether you already volunteer or have never volunteered, this list of 10 websites with information about Alternative Spring Break programs, is a good place to begin the research.  Make a note when you return to campus to ask the student services office about these kinds of programs organized by your campus. 

As with any other experience that will take a college student out of their comfort zone, research is a key first step when exploring options.  This is by no means an exhaustive list but will give you a sense of what is available. 

IERCEF.org Learn more about the North Carolina consortium of HBCU's and plans to increase students who travel overseas. 

Break Away  has a site bank of hundreds of nonprofit organizations who want to connect with volunteers. 

Spring Break Alternative  offers future human rights leaders the opportunity to visit Austin, TX to protest the state’s death penalty laws.   

Volunteer Match helps college students seeking an alternative spring break experience connect with organizations right in their own backyards with a zip code search.

I to I helps college students volunteer abroad and work with communities on local projects.  From teaching English, coaching sports or building projects, there is something for everyone.

Serve.gov  HBCU students or employees who want to create new alternative spring break experiences download one of these kits with information and instructions from http://www.serve.gov.

Student Conservation Association is a great resource for alternative spring break experiences for college students who interested and passionate about the environment and it’s conservation. 

United Way lets college students spend spring break in Biloxi, MS in the United Way National Alternative Spring Break experience program.

Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge puts college students to work during spring break working to eliminate poverty housing. 

Cross Cultural Solutions lets college students immerse themselves in life changing experiences.  Insight Abroad is their one-week experience program. 

Projects Abroad helps college students have meaningful spring break experiences in a wide variety of project areas from construction to performing arts to archeology.