UMD Alternative Breaks

Interested in growing your leadership skills and engaging in social issues? Apply to be an experience leader for Alternative Breaks! Learn and apply valuable leadership skills, engage in the community, and make lasting friendships! Apply by Sunday, May 8th!

Are you interested in community service, social issues, and leadership? Consider applying to be an Alternative Breaks experience leader, where you can learn more about social issues, serve local communities, and learn valuable leadership skills like facilitation, trip planning, and much more!

This past spring break, Alternative Breaks was finally able to have Spring Experiences! We will be highlighting the Hungry Mother State Park trip which focused on Environmental Conservation and Justice! Here are some pictures, and a short testimony from an experience leader from the trip!

"It was a fantastic experience! We really got close with everyone quickly and I really wish we were able to spend more time together. The park was so welcoming and everyone was really kind. We learned a lot about Park management and they also were nice enough to help us enjoy the place - we hiked on some of their best trails and they took us on a few tours. We also got a great history lesson and I personally learned a lot of really great (and important) skills. The group made it even better - we really worked well together and everyone became close really clearly. We made dinner and ate together every night, had dialogue and even watched a movie on our last day together."

Are you interested in leading other students in meaningful dialogue, community service, and help to grow other student leaders? Consider applying to Alternative Breaks as an experience leader! Applications are open now until April 24th, 2022!

Giving Day is today! Please consider giving back to the UMD community and supporting the Alternative Breaks program by donating at this link: https://givingday.umd.edu/campaigns/alternative-breaks-scholarship-fund
Happy Giving Day!

Giving Day is an opportunity for the UMD community to fundraise money to further the mission of the university! Consider donating to Alternative Breaks to help send students on trips to take action in serving communities and learn how to take action toward just causes. is on March 9th 2022!

Maryland Giving Day is just around the corner!

What is Giving Day?
Giving day is a 24-hour fundraising event held on March 9th, 2022 for everyone in the University of Maryland community. The purpose of this event is to raise funding for the University of Maryland to engage the community and help work towards our mission. Consider participating in Giving Day on March 9th, 2022!

Our last community partner highlight is Paul's Place! Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this organization strives to improve the quality of life in Southwest Baltimore City by providing programs and services to support the community, such as accepting donations, and serving meals. Apply to Alternative Breaks by tonight for an opportunity to serve the Southwest Baltimore community!

The next community partner we will be highlighting is Project C.U.R.E! Participants will be serving the Philadelphia community, to help sort and pack medical supplies to be distributed throughout the community. Project C.U.R.E. works to providing medical supplies and equipment to those in need in over 135 different countries, to prevent, diagnoses and treat diseases around the world. Apply to Alternative Breaks by February 13th for the opportunity to attend this experience!

The next community partner we will be highlighting is the KIPP Gaston College Preparatory, located in North Carolina. KIPP, or the Knowledge is Power Program, is dedicated to grow and build up students to lead fulfilling lives in their education and professional lives. Through providing resources, trainings, and phenomenal teaching, KIPP is able to prepare their students for success. Apply for Alternative Spring Breaks by February 13th for an opportunity to work with KIPP Gaston College Preparatory!

Alternative Breaks is looking for University of Maryland Graduate Students and Staff member so apply to be Staff Advisors on our Spring Experience Trips! Staff Advisors support and advise student leaders throughout the planning, experiential, and educational aspects of the program! Apply to be a Staff Advisor today using the link in our bio!

The next community partner we will be highlighting is Natural Bridge State Park! Home to 7 miles of hiking trails, Lace Falls, and a limestone gorge, this beautiful park is home to so much wildlife! On this trip, Alternative Break participants will work with the Natural Bridge State Park to pursue environmental conservation. Apply to an Alternative Breaks Experience today!