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Trip Participants are held to a high standard and adhere to the expectations of the AB program as a whole. These expectations include: 

• Be willing to serve with an openness to learning and addressing the community needs first.
• Represent the University of North Georgia, the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership, and the Alternative Breaks program in a mature, responsible, and positive way at all times.
• Be open to processing, at your own comfort level, the Alternative Break experience individually and as a group through reflection.
• Attend Pre-Trip Meetings, the Alternative Breaks trip, and Reorientation. These meetings and trainings are provided to enhance student learning and ensure quality service experiences for participants and the community partners.
• Fully immerse yourself in the Alternative Breaks experience and participate in all aspects of the Alternative Breaks program, which includes service work, reflections, projects, meetings, and reading assignments, etc.
• Commitment to the Alternative Break “no drugs or alcohol” and “no weapons” policies

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be in good standing with the university and have no active conduct record.
• Must have a minimum of 2.5 G.P.A.

Trip Leaders (TLs) are one of the most vital components of the Alternative Breaks (AB) program at the University of North Georgia. Serving in a para-professional leadership role, TLs guide their peers through immersive service experiences centered around social issues they are passionate about. AB takes pride in our Trip Leaders and the commitment, compassion, and leadership they bring to this transformational program.

Key Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Collaborate closely with the Alternative Breaks Coordinator, co-site leader, and Trip Partner(s) to plan and lead the trip.
• Attend regular meetings and training sessions with the AB Coordinator.
• Educate yourself and participants about the social issue connected to your trip location and foster critical reflection throughout the experience.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with your service Trip partner(s) and fellow AB participants.
• Support trip promotion by assisting with marketing efforts, including tabling and outreach to recruit participants.
• Uphold and model the Alternative Breaks “no drugs or alcohol” and “no weapons” policy during all AB-related events and travel.
• Remain flexible, open-minded, dependable, and respectful in all interactions and planning.
• Be a positive representative of the University of North Georgia and the center for Student Engagement and Leadership.

Incentives and Benefits:

• Stipend:
  • $200 for Fall Break Trip Leaders
  • $400–$500 for Spring Break Trip Leaders
     (Stipends are awarded upon successful completion of all Trip Leader requirements.)
• Free professional development training to help you grow as a leader and team member.
• Exclusive Alternative Breaks swag.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a sophomore (30 + credits) or higher
• Must be in good standing with the university and have no active conduct record.
• Must have a minimum of 3.0 G.P.A.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to provide at least one academic or professional reference.
• Must commit to all required trainings, meetings, and trip responsibilities, including but not limited to the mandatory Trip Leader Training on July 30, 2025  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

During the 2017-2018 academic year, thanks to funding from the 1688������ Presidential Award Grant, the Alternative Service Break (ASB) program was created. The program started off as a co-curricular service-learning program that worked to expanded community engagement opportunities for students at the University of North Georgia. ASB educates students about social issues and communities in need through a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity with the goal of developing students into active citizens. To ensure the reciprocal benefit, the trip was intentionally designed to provide strong direct service, orientation to the social issue and site, education, training, reflection, reorientation, and diversity, while remaining alcohol and other drug free. 

In the infancy of the program the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic started and ASB stopped formally hosting trips. The program was able to be restarted in the year 2023 under new advisory leadership and officially rebranded to Alternative Breaks (AB).

The revamped programmed added a greater emphasis on connecting student’s social identities to their service experiences and helping them better understanding underlying social issues and deepen their awareness of critical societal challenges.This included incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the program.

Past Trips

• Spring Break 2025: Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center – Washburn, Tennessee
  • SD Goal: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Fall Break 2024: Vogel State Park - Blairsville Georgia
  • SD Goal: Life on Land
• Spring Break 2024: Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation - Selma, Alabama
  • SD Goal: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Spring Break 2023: Earth Kin (Once Upon a Time) - Walland, TN (Great Smoky Mountain)
  • SD Goal: Life on Land
• COVID-19 Break 2020 -2022
• Spring Break 2019: Foxfire (Appalachian Culture Education) Clayton, GA
• Spring Break 2018: Foxfire (Appalachian Culture Education) Clayton, GA
• Spring Break 2017: Lula Lake Land Trust – Lookout Mountain, GA

Mission

The University of North Georgia Alternative Break program empowers students to engage in immersive service-learning experiences and foster a more equitable and inclusive society through education, reflection, and service. We create community-conscious and educated students who are committed to pursuing social issues and positive social change in diverse communities.

Vision

Our vision is to cultivate a community of socially conscious and educated students who collaborate to address critical social issues and contribute to a just and thriving global society. We strive to expand our collective identity as a multi-campus institution to unite our students in our on-going mission of creating meaningful and positive impact as community collaborators.