Upcoming Trips
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
Boston, MA
March 21 - March 27, 2011
ASB Boston is a service trip offered during spring break, March 18 - 26, 2011. There will also be five pre-trip meetings.
What will we be doing?
Participants will be spending spring break volunteering at various non-profit agencies in the Boston area. The purpose of this trip is to give participants an introduction to urban social issues such as poverty, homelessness, health care, and youth programs.
Participants will also be taking part in activities that teach them more about the root causes of urban social issues. Some examples include speakers, videos, and education opportunities.
We will be volunteering approximately 30 - 35 hours during the week with two days "off" for sight seeing in the city. You can expect to volunteer at a variety of organizations in order to receive an overview of the issues affecting an urban area. Some experiences will be hands on, others will be more educational. As we confirm specific volunteering sites, they will be posted here.
Where will we stay?
We will be staying at Hostelling International Boston (http://www.bostonhostel.org). The rooms are dormitory-style. Hostelling International makes every effort to only place members of our group in a room together. HI is located in downtown Boston, only blocks away from Fenway Park.
How much does it cost?
The cost of ASB Boston is $400.00 spread over two payments. The trip cost covers your transportation to and from Boston, housing, an unlimited Boston public transportation pass, continental breakfast daily at the hostel, brown bag lunches, supplies, and training and activities by SIEO. The hostel provides several nights of free entertainment, such as museum and sightseeing tours.
The trip cost does not cover dinners, meals on travel days (March 18, 19, and 26), souvenirs, entertainment on the sight seeing days, or medical insurance.
The group has the option of doing group fundraising which can offset the cost of out-of-pocket dinners.
How can I find out more information?
Please contact Carly Nivison, SIEO Service Trip Coordinator, at sieotrip@uwsp.edu or 346-2174. There will be three informational sessions where you can learn more about the trip and ask questions. An information session is NOT mandatory. The information sessions are on Tuesday, November 9 at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. in the Student Involvement and Employment Office (lower level of the DUC).
How do I sign up?
To sign up for ASB Boston, please fill out the application packet and turn it in along with a check for $150.00 deposit (made out to UWSP) to the Information and Tickets Office no later than December 1, 2010. Selection criteria are outlined in the application packet.
A committee of students and staff will review the applications. The top nine ranked applications will be selected to participate. You will be notified of the status of your application by December 8.
If you are selected, the $250.00 balance will be due to Information and Tickets by January 26.
If you are not selected to participate, your $150.00 deposit will be returned in full.
If you have questions about the selection process, please contact Carly Nivison at sieotrip@uwsp.edu.
What is the purpose of the pre-trip?
The purposes of the meetings are three-fold:
- Get to know the other participants before you spend a week together.
- Explore the root causes of urban social issues.
- Prepare for the service trip.
Important Dates and Information:
Information Sessions: Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 6:00pm at SIEO
Applications Due: Wednesday, Dec. 1 to Info and Tickets in DUC ($150 deposit)
Participants Notified: Wednesday, Dec. 8
Remaining Balance Due: Wednesday, Jan. 26 to Info and Tickets in DUC ($250)