Alternative Breaks Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Alternative Spring Break?

An Alternative Spring Break, or ASB, is a weeklong traveling, community living, and service providing trip offered as an "alternative" way of spending your spring break. The Newman Center offers these opportunities to UNC students who want to give up a week off in order to serve the poor, the sick, and the underprivileged during Spring Break. Newman also offers a shorter trip during the fall for Alternative Fall Break, or AFB. The Alternative Break program has existed as part of Catholic Campus Ministry for several years and has grown greatly in the past few years.

2. Why does Newman offer these trips?

God calls all of us to love and serve one another and to do justice. Catholic Campus Ministry is also called to develop leaders for the future of the Church and society. Newman wants to give students the opportunity to experience life in a different culture, acquire a perspective on the global economy, gain a meaningful understanding of the universal Church, and serve all of God’s children. Through these trips, we aim to instill in students a sense of social responsibility, leadership, and life-long service.

3. How can I find out more information about this year’s ASB program?

You may attend one of our interest meetings or information sessions or contact one of our leaders.

4. Who can participate in the ASB?

All currently enrolled full-time undergraduate students at UNC - Chapel Hill can participate.

5. Do I have to be Catholic to participate?

No, ASB’s are open to students of all different faith backgrounds. However, since we are a Catholic organization, we ask that you be respectful of the spirituality of these trips and the prayer and reflection that will be part of each trip. We encourage that you share in these reflections as well, so that the group as a whole will grow.

6. How much do the ASB trips cost?

Newman wants to provide service trip opportunities to all students who are willing to participate. Therefore, through fundraising and donations, ASB’s are offered at no cost to students. However, we do require that all students participating in an ASB actively help with different fundraisers, especially the annual Phone-a-Thon. You may also be asked to pay a small deposit, typically $20, to hold your spot on a trip, but you will receive that deposit back when the trip occurs.

7. What is the Phone-a-Thon?

The Phone-a-Thon is one of Newman’s biggest fundraisers, raising money for service trip opportunities and other activities at Newman. The event is held on specific nights during the month of February. Through contacting many individuals with relations to the Newman Center, we are able to support ASB and other programs within Catholic Campus Ministry. The first meeting will be held in January 2007.

8. Are there opportunities to explore the city/location of where the ASB trip is?

Yes, there will be some recreational time depending on each trip to explore your city and surroundings. We want enjoyment of the ASB locations to be part of each student’s experience, but with the focus staying on working for service and justice.

9. How do I sign up?!

All trips have been filled!

Please come to one of the above-mentioned interest meetings. Sign-ups will start at those meetings and will continue until each trip has been filled. You may also contact one of the Campus Ministers at Newman. Trips are first-come, first-serve.

10. Are there any available leadership opportunities with the ASB?

Yes, each ASB trip will have a Student Leader. Please download the ASB Student Leader application on this webpage, or pick one up at the Newman Center.