Alternative SUMMER Break Applications have already been collected. If interested in participating please email Rosie Holmes.443@osu.edu.
The alternative break program at Ohio State is now BUCK-I-SERV!
All BUCK-I-SERV Summer Sites are listed below.
Mission
The SERV (Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteering) Team and the Ohio Union work together each year to plan between 20 and 32 BUCK-I-SERV trips to different cities across the nation and the world. Each year our goal is to add to the number of participants and trips in order to ensure every student who would like to have this experience has the chance to participate.
Trip Basics Include
oA week-long, substance free, service project outside of the Columbus area during Winter, Spring and Summer break
oGroups of students work alongside one agency to learn more about the needs and capacities of that organization and its social issue in that community and how it connects to their home community of Columbus, Ohio
oThrough service projects, group teambuilding experiences and reflection activities students participate in a broad service-learning experience
oOpportunities to participate in local tourist attractions and activities
Vision
Through extended hands on service experiences in diverse places around the country and world, we aim to inspire student leaders to have life-long dedication to service to others and social justice activism in their current and future communities.
One World Running (http://oneworldrunning.blogspot.com/) Boulder, CO: Shoes. Probably something you slip on every morning but take mostly for granted. For many, not having shoes means being more susceptible to diseases picked up through foot sores, being denied public education past a certain level, and having a much tougher time securing employment. One World Running was formed in 1986 to give shoes to the needy around the world. The organization has sent thousands of pairs of shoes and changed countless lives in the past two decades (check out www.oneworldrunning.com for more info). Now, OSU has the opportunity to help in this endeavor.
Having taken a trip with OWR to Belize this past Spring to distribute shoes, the Alternative Breaks Program is ready to get a glimpse of the efforts behind the scenes which have allowed this Non-profit to flourish in the past 20 years. Traveling to Boulder, Colorado, a haven for runners, hikers, campers and nature enthusiasts, the students will work with the organization to take in deliveries of shoes, helping to wash, sort and even distribute some to local children. In addition, they will work closely with the leaders of the organization to assist in any way they can and witness how they (most of them full-time workers) manage to balance in-depth and hands on service with their daily lives, a new and unique experience for the Breaks program! Housing: OWR Donor’s Home Cost: $250
(www.OperationBreakthrough.org) Kansas City, MO: Working with children to provide a safe, loving, educational environment. Students get hands on experience with children in an educational environment. Operation Breakthrough is a community center in the heart of Kansas City that serves children 8 months to 18 years old and their parents. Through education and programs like daycare, a food pantry, dress for success and music therapy, the center works relentlessly to improve the lives of local families, many of whom live beneath the poverty level. Housing: Church.
As a volunteer, you will work primarily with children and teachers in the classroom in the morning, while helping maintain the center in the afternoon while the students nap. From reading a book to the class or setting out their lunch, to organizing donated food and clothing goods or delivering furniture to a family in need, this site offers something for everyone in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere. Please be prepared that as part of this trip you are required to have a tetanus shot and a doctor signature stating you are healthy. These are both required to work with children in the afterschool program. Housing: Church Cost: $200
Give Kids the World (www.GKTW.org) Kissimmee, FL- This organization grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families at their magical Give Kids the World Village. You will be doing various activities for the Village and for the children and families, as well. Please check out the website to get a full understanding of what all occurs at GKTW on a daily basis! This site was a spring break favorite this year and the participants left having an unforgettable experience with the kids! A participant from the spring break trip described going to GKTW as “one of my most rewarding things I have done in my life”. You are sure to create memories to last a lifetime if you head to GKTW this summer break. Housing: Hotel Cost: $325
Habitat for Humanity: (http://www.charlestonhabitat.org/) Charleston, SC: Charleston Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to qualified families at no profit and with no interest charged. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide sponsorships and materials to build Habitat houses. Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor - "sweat equity" - into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Since we began in 1989, 61 homes have been built in the cities of Charleston and North Charleston with a further 39 homes constructed internationally, through the Habitat for Humanity International title program. Housing: Church Cost: $250
The Steel Yard (http://www.thesteelyard.org) Providence, RI: The Steel Yard is located at the historic Providence Steel and Iron site, along the Woonasquatucket River in the heart of Providence's industrial Valley neighborhood. With a 5612 square foot industrial shop featuring a foundry, ceramics studio, blacksmithing shop, and welding shop, as well as studio space and outdoor work and exhibition space, the Steel Yard is a multi-use venue. The Steel Yard's program areas, focusing on arts education, the incubation of new business and arts initiatives, and the establishment of a lasting community arts resource, cater to working artists, students and community members, tradespeople, arts educators and entrepreneurs. Buck I SERV participants will get to experience this unique organization for the whole week, intimately working with the Steel Yard's staff on a variety of projects, while also exploring the exciting cultural life beautiful Providence has to offer. Housing: Church Cost: $200
West Tennessee Family Solutions (http://www.wtfs.org/) Memphis, TN: WTFS is self defined as an organization that is redefining Community Care for people with developmental disabilities in West TN. Ohio State students will get the opportunity to work directly with clients of WTFS in many different capacities. WTFS is determining how best the students will be used; however, tasks may include outdoor landscaping for clients or other enrichment program assistance needed by WTFS. This trip was taken during spring break and the participants highly recommended we return for summer! Housing: Church Cost: $175
What is BUCK-I-SERV: the Alternative Breaks Program?
BUCK-I-SERV trips are weeklong, community service trips to a city outside of Columbus during the university's breaks at Winter, Spring, and Summer. Students volunteer for the entire week with one agency to learn more about the needs and capacities of that organization and its social issue. Training is provided for all Participants and Leaders. No previous experience is necessary to participate in a BUCK-I-SERV trip!
Each trip has 10 participants total and travel by a 12-passenger van to their location.
When are the trips?
BUCK-I-SERV Trips take place during each University Break period – Winter, Spring & Summer. During Winter and Summer the break trips always take place the week following finals week. This year’s trip dates are listed below.
Alternative Winter Break: December 13-20, 2008
Alternative Spring Break: March 21-28, 2009
Alternative Summer Break: June 13/14-20/21, 2009
Where will the Trips go?
Each year the trips go to a variety of different places and focus on a number of different social issues. Places we have visited in the past include New York City, Washington DC, Charleston, SC, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay. See list Above
Each trip period will have a different set of locations and specific location information will be available on the application page as well as the Ohio Union article about the specific break period.
Information about Summer locations can be found above.
Trip Leaders
Each BUCK-I-SERV trip is led by two student Trip Leaders. Trip Leaders are responsible for managing all trip logistics, training participants, and leading reflection. Trip Leaders candidates will have a strong value for community service, appreciation of differences, ability to lead a group of peers, professionalism in dealing with community partners, good oral and written communication, and a sense of humor.
Trip Participants
BUCK-I-SERV trips are open to all students, undergraduate, graduate, and professional. Participants must apply each year to attend a trip. Participants with a variety of experiences, skills, and interests are invited to apply!
Trip Expenses
Each BUCK-I-SERV trip is funded by the Student Activity Fee and by Participant Fees. Participant Fees are relative to site location. These Fees cover training, transportation (to, from, and around the service city), lodging, service site fees, and t-shirt. Meals and personal expenses are not covered by these fees unless indicated under site descriptions. Trip fees range from $175-$325 and are listed under each site description above. *Please note that in order to keep the cost down for participants many of the sites have relationships with local churches as lodging sites for volunteers. In no way are the trips religiously affiliated.
Faculty/Staff Advisors
Each trip is staffed by a Faculty or Staff Advisor. Advisors participate fully in all training, service projects, and reflection with the rest of the trip. Advisors are also encouraged to bring an "educational component" to the trip based on the service project, host city, or other personal/professional interest. Please see the advisor application to the right of this page.
