Immersion Programs
The Center for Social Change and Community Involvement’s Immersion Program (Formerly know as Alternative Breaks) offers a variety of in-depth service-learning experiences for Lewis & Clark undergraduate students. These programs are aimed at connecting and supporting students with critical forms of community service as a catalyst for social change.
The Center for Social Change and Community Involvement launched the Alternative Break Program as a primary means to promote co-curricular opportunities for civic engagement, social change, and global learning. These programs provide a valuable way to learn from and become immersed in diverse communities and social environments that aim to expand each participant’s understanding of critical social issues and the possibilities for social change. Ranging in length from a one-day to a week-long experience, students are connected to opportunities for direct service and learning through community engagement with integrated dialogue and reflection.
Projects are developed collaboratively by Center staff, student participants, and community partners to engage students with opportunities that support diverse communities while advancing cultural competency and sensitivity. The Alternative Break Programs are also supported by Break Away, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of quality Alternative Break experiences. Our service focuses on strengthening justice through community collaboration while cultivating active citizenship, self-awareness, and critical consciousness
The Center staff and student program leaders develop partnerships, coordinate logistics, and provide training and educational resources to participants in the program. The program incorporates a critical service-learning model built on a foundation of mutually beneficial community-campus partnerships by integrating educational components with service work and reflection activities to foster personal growth and leadership development through community projects, education sessions, and team-building exercises.
This program is open to undergraduate students at L&C who offer insightful, engaging, and passionate intentions for community involvement. Participants are expected to attend all pre-trip and post-trip meetings, work as a team to organize fundraisers, and apply their service experience to other local involvement opportunities and critical discussions.
Upcoming Immersion Programs 2025
March 22nd-29th, 2025 | Puerto Rico | Apply Now
The deadline for applying is Friday, November 11th at 5:00 pm Pacific.
Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and some applicants will be offered a group interview.
Program Description: This project encompasses a variety of opportunities involving community resilience and conservation work. Service projects may include hurricane disaster-relief projects: home repairs or revitalizing community gathering areas like beachfront gazebos, basketball courts, and ballparks. Other conservation and ocean habitat cleanup projects may include trail maintenance, reforestation, or ecological and agroecological projects. Many projects will involve hard work, grit, and persistence, in challenging conditions—with the opportunity to align under a shared value of community service that connects communities and builds lasting friendships.*Students are required to attend pre & post trip meetings, we will do our best to work with your schedules.
Program Logistics:
Commitment to Pre/Post Trip Meetings
- Monday, February 3, 2025 from 6-7pm
- Monday, February 24th, 2025 from 6-7pm
- March 2025 TBD; a day to volunteer as a group w/ a partner organization
- Monday, March 17th, 2025 from 6-7pm
Cost:
-
$2,000 program fee from Participant (Covers costs associated with program, including travel, subsidized by the Center for Social Change and Community Involvement. The total cost of this trip per person is $3,000)
- A limited number of partial grants available for those with financial need (Apply through Application).
- A $100 deposit is required for every participant to confirm their spot on the trip after they have been selected.
- Holmes-Sullivan Social Change Award-This award is created to encourage Lewis & Clark students to bring about positive social change and social justice to their local, regional, national and international communities. By supporting our students’ dreams and spirit to make this world a better place, we encourage all students to embrace the values of service, equity, and justice in all that they do in both their belief systems and also their actions while attending Lewis & Clark. This award will cover the entire cost of the trip, and require a presentation/awareness campaign relating to an issue in Puerto Rico the trip focuses on.
Past Alternative Break Trips
- Oaxaca 2024 & Puerto Rico 2024- Project Report coming soon!
- Alternative Spring Break 2023 - Puerto Rico Service Project