Alternative Spring Break
The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program provides students the opportunity to spend the week of spring break engage in an public service experience while increasing their understanding of significant social and civic engagement problems.
Trip participants attend a weekly seminar before the trip to prepare for their service experience. The seminar will include team expectations, trip overview, travel information, and team-building activities. During the trip, students participate in all educational activities, daily reflection activities, and evening group activities at the site.
Please note that all trainings/orientation sessions are mandatory and in-person.
2026 Alternative Spring Break Applications Open!
This year’s Alternative Spring Break experience will bring together 12 students for an immersive, small-cohort leadership and cultural learning experience.
$300 per student
- This cost covers transportation, lodging, group activities, and shared meals.
Program Cost & Payment Policy
Please note that the full program cost is strictly non‑refundable. Once payment is submitted, no portion of the fee will be returned under any circumstances, as all funds are immediately committed to securing housing, transportation, and program reservations.
Payment Details:
- Payments will be accepted through the CU Denver Alternative Breaks Gift Fund using credit/debit card, Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp.
- Cash will not be accepted for this trip.
Installment Option: Students may pay the program cost in two installments during required training sessions rather than paying the full amount upfront. Each installment is due on its assigned date, and all payments are non‑refundable once submitted.
- March 6: First payment of $150 due
- March 20: Second payment of $150 due
Selection Process
- February 5 at 5 pm
- Application closes at 5 pm
- February 6 – February 13
- Application Review
- February 16 (or earlier)
- Trip Attendees Selected
To ensure a fair and unbiased review process, all identifying information will be removed from your essays before they are evaluated. Committee members will review your written responses anonymously and will not have access to your name or personal details. Only the Coordinator for Leadership & Community Engagement will see applicant names for administrative purposes, and this individual will not participate in the selection of participants.
Your essays will be evaluated using a standardized rubric that focuses on the content of your responses; not writing style, grammar, or polish. The rubric is designed to assess how clearly you address the prompts, reflect on your experiences, and demonstrate your motivations. There are no “perfect” answers; the Committee is looking for authenticity, thoughtfulness, and honest self‑reflection.
We encourage you to respond in your own voice and share what genuinely matters to you. Your lived experiences and perspectives are the most important part of this process.By the end of this experience, students will be able to:
Leadership Development
- Identify their personal leadership strengths and areas for growth.
- Apply principles from Salsa, Soul, and Spirit to real-team situations.
- Practice collaborative leadership through shared decision-making and role delegation.
- Demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and communication skills in group settings.
Cultural & Historical Understanding
- Describe key aspects of Pueblo, Latino, and Indigenous cultures in Albuquerque.
- Recognize how cultural traditions influence leadership values and community systems.
- Engage in cultural activities with respect, curiosity, and humility.
- Compare Western leadership models with multicultural approaches.
Community & Relationship Building
- Build trust, belonging, and mutual accountability within a small group environment.
- Contribute to a positive team culture through empathy, emotional intelligence, and shared responsibility.
- Form meaningful relationships through shared experiences, reflection circles, and group challenges.
Civic Engagement & Place-Based Learning
- Observe how community institutions (cultural centers, parks, museums) contribute to social well-being.
- Analyze opportunities and challenges present within local communities.
- Reflect on the role students play as visitors and learners in another city.
Communication & Conflict Management
- Practice healthy communication techniques in group living and travel situations.
- Apply conflict resolution skills when navigating differences or stress.
- Demonstrate active listening, perspective-taking, and respectful dialogue.
Social Justice & Responsibility
- Discuss themes of identity, power, and community in cultural and historical contexts.
- Understand how social systems impact different groups within society.
- Reflect on ethical leadership and personal responsibility in service and civic spaces.
Personal Reflection & Growth
- Articulate personal takeaways through journaling, discussions, and a final leadership charter.
- Identify how this experience will shape future leadership involvement on campus or in the community.
- Develop goals for continued growth beyond the trip.
To participate in the Alternative Spring Break 2026 experience, selected students must attend all five in-person pre-trip meetings. These sessions will prepare participants for the trip, strengthen the team’s connection, and ensure everyone is ready for the experience ahead.
Pre-Trip Meeting Schedule (All Fridays 9 am – 11am):
- February 20 – Trip Overview, Expectations, & Team Building
- February 27 – Team Bonding & Conflict Management
- March 6 – Cultural Awareness & Sensitivity Training
- March 13 – Service Learning: The Salsa, Soul, and Spirit of Community
- March 20 – Travel Information & Final Preparations
Attendance at all meetings, in person, is required to participate in the trip.
Washington, D.C. Experience
The CU Denver Alternative Spring Break Program traveled to Washington, D.C., where seven students explored the Capitol, different museums, and volunteered to give back to the community.
Participants received a private tour of the Library of Congress with special passes to enter the House of Representatives and the Senate Chambers. Participants also had the opportunity to meet with Senator Michael Bennet’s assistant to talk about internship opportunities.
Students learned more about our government, the history, and the process of how the government operates. Students asked many clarifying questions and reflected on our Nation’s government responsibilities.
Participants volunteered their time in the morning at Thrive D.C. which is a non-profit organization that strives to provide vulnerable individuals with comprehensive services to help stabilize their lives, in Washington, D.C. services include donations, showers & laundry, warm meals, mail, and more!
Participants had the opportunity to give back to the community by serving a hot meal to 108 clients. They reflected on giving back the dignity of the person and had their perspective change on the way homelessness is experienced.
Participants walked through the historic Smithsonian to learn about African American history, the start of slavery, the civil rights movement, and how African Americans’ culture influenced today’s society.
Participants learned new aspects of slavery and the civil rights movement as well as historic moments in history that shape policy in our government. Students reflected on how community fights for rights when freedom is not free for all.
March 23 - Travel Day
March 24 - Washington, D.C. Tour Day
- Tour of the Capital
- Tour of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
March 25 - Volunteer & Cultural Exploration Day
- Volunteer with Thrive D.C.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
March 26 - Explore D.C. with a Choose Your Own Adventure Afternoon
- Visit Memorials and Monuments
- Visit the White House
- Choose a Museum to explore with reflection to discuss after
March 27 - Final Day in Washington, D.C.
- Travel back to Denver
Trip Total Cost: $450
What is included in this cost?
- Round-trip travel to Washington, D.C. from Denver
- Lodging for the entire week.
- Meals during the trip.
- Educational and cultural experiences.
- Community service opportunities.
Payment Installments (If not paying in full)*
First Payment of $225 due on February 28
Second Payment of $225 due on March 14
*Fundraising opportunities available
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“We need to engage with our community and share our knowledge, as many people are often unaware of how they can contribute to creating change.”
“After this trip, I hope to continue my ongoing community service projects, as well as continue to be an advocate for my communities. Whether that means staying informed, building strong communities, being politically engaged and or showing up for others.”
“I learned [at Thrive D.C.] the importance of seeing someone as a person above anything else."