From working with hurricane victims in Mississippi to engaging in environmental preservation projects in Oregon, University of Tampa students have spent their vacations in service to others. Coordinated as the PEACE (People Exploring Active Community Experiences) Alternative Breaks Program, it serves as a branch of the PEACE Volunteer Center at The University of Tampa. Committed to immersing students in a variety of cultures and social issues, the Alternative Breaks Program arranges domestic and international service opportunities for University of Tampa students, faculty and staff.
The Alternative Break Program offers trips to places like the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Students have headed to Key West to work with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, kayaking along remote shorelines cleaning up litter and debris. They've traveled to Franklin, TN, to the Kindred Spirits Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit organization that helps special needs, terminally ill and battered children through horse interaction, spending the week helping with farm maintenance and assisting equestrian therapy leaders.
All of the PEACE Alternative Break Programs emphasize the eight components of a quality break experience: strong direct service, orientation, education, training, reflection, reorientation, diversity and are alcohol and drug free. During the 2012-2013 academic year, eight Alternative Break trips were coordinated including weekend, winter, spring, international and summer breaks.
Who We Work With
Breaks focus on diverse social and cultural issues, providing students with the opportunity to discover their passions in service.
In the past, we have worked with agencies focused on: hunger and homelessness, persons with disabilities, children, hurricane relief, animal rights, environmental preservation and education.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the PEACE Alternative Breaks Program to increase volunteerism and the individual's value of service as they work towards becoming active citizens. The program provides an opportunity for direct service combined with participant education.
Alternative breaks offered for 2012-2013
- Fall Weekend Trip (Oct. 12-14): Devall Horne (People with Disabilities)
- Thanksgiving Trip (Nov. 22-24): Immokalee and Guadalupe Center (Hunger and Homelessness)
- February Weekend Trip (Feb. 1-3) Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary (Animal Rights)
- Spring Break Trip (March 9-16): SOLVE, Portland Oregon (Environmental Restoration and Conservation)
- Spring Break Trip (March 9-16): Medici Project, Atlanta Georgia (Urban Youth and Health)
- April Weekend Trip (April TBD): Horses and the Handicapped in Coconut Creek, Florida (Individuals with Disabilities)
- Domestic May Trip (May 13-23): Plentitude in Puerto Rico (Organic Farming)
- International Alternative Break (May 13-24): Fundectomies in Ecuador (Indigenous Communities)
ALTERNATIVE BREAKS 2011-2012
- Fall Weekend (Sept. 30-Oct. 2): Cayo Costa State Park (Environmental Restoration and Conservation)
- Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-26): Immokalee Friendship House and Guadalupe Center (Hunger and Homelessness)
- February Weekend Trip (Feb. 17-19, 2012): Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville (Animals)
- Spring Break Trips (March 3-10, 2012): Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma (Senior Population in a Native American Reservation)
- Spring Break Trips (March 3-10, 2012): Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Tennessee (Animals)
- April Weekend Trip (April TBD): Horses and the Handicapped in Coconut Creek, FL (Persons with Physical Handicaps)
- Domestic May Trip (May 8-14, 2012): Catalina Island Nature Conservancy, Catalina Island, CA (Environmental Restoration and Conservation)
- International Alternative Trip (May 8-19, 2012): Baan San Fan Orphanage, Phuket, Thailand (Environmental Restoration and Children)
Application Process
Most applications are available in the fall semester and all are available online. Qualified applicants must be in good judicial and academic standing and be a full-time, undergraduate student.
Contact Alternative Break Coordinators
Chelsey Ptak, Brad Larino, Rebecca Vaclav and Cassadra YoungPEACE Volunteer Center Vaughn Center, Room 206
Phone: (813) 253-6263
Email:
alternativebreaks@ut.edu