Spring Break Programs
Go all in!
Sko Serve sends teams of college students to engage in meaningful service during their breaks from school. This week-long journey over spring break allows students to explore the United States while making a difference through service, reflecting upon their experience and creating long-lasting connections with others. To learn more, review the Sko Serve participant expectations. We hope you’ll be a part of this experience!
2025 Spring Break Information
- Priority Application Opens: Nov. 11
- Priority Application Closes: Dec. 8
- Non-priority Application Opens: Dec. 9
- Non-priority Application Closes: Feb. 6
Program Cost
There is an all-inclusive fee required for participation (includes all costs associated with transportation, food, lodging and community partner fees). Students with financial need may indicate this on the application for financial assistance.
Information Sessions
By attending an information session, you will learn:
- What you can expect
- Cost and scholarship opportunities
- What you’ll gain from the experience
- How to apply
Schedule for 2024-25 information sessions coming soon!
Past Programs
- Description: Are you interested in the humane treatment of animals? Well, you’re in luck! We’re partnering with an animal sanctuary dedicated to the rehabilitation of dogs. Over the course of the week, we will support the sanctuary by maintaining the native wildlife habitat and caring for abandoned and abused dogs. Be prepared for additional activities devoted to engaging in local culture and lots of time spent outdoors working closely with team members.
- Location: Tennessee
- Dates: Saturday, March 25–Sunday, April 2
Meet the Site Leaders
Hey everyone! Our names are Anastasia Gallegos (she/her) and Jacquie Pankratz (she/her) and we’re excited to be leading this project. Anastasia is studying journalism with minors in sociology and leadership and a certificate in Latinx studies. Jacquie is a junior studying biochemistry with a minor in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and certificate in neuroscience.
This is our first year working with Alternative Breaks. We are grateful for the opportunity to develop more mindful practices related to service-learning, while building authentic relationships within the community we will serve.
If you’re someone who wants to learn more about animal welfare while working alongside a supportive team of students and community members, then pack your bags and join us in this experience!
- Description: Spend your spring break improving the lives and homes of those affected by natural disasters with a group of fellow CU students. You will be working in an area that has been continuously hit by hurricanes and major flooding, with an organization that focuses on long-term recovery from disasters. On this program, you’ll be immeresed in teamwork and will gain valuable skills by doing a variety of construction tasks that site supervisors will train you on.
- Location: Louisiana
- Dates: Saturday, March 25–Sunday, April 2
Meet the Site Leaders
Hi all! We’re Kat (she/her) and Michi (they/she), the co-site leaders for Disaster Relief: Rebuilding through Community offered spring break 2023! We are also the co-directors for the National Residence Hall Honorary. Kat is currently getting her master’s in accounting through the accelerated master’s program at the Leeds School of Business. Michi is a sophomore studying flute performance and computer science. We were drawn to Alternative Breaks because of the opportunity to do intentional service for a specific community, and through that service, learn more about ourselves and the community we will be serving. We are both so excite to share our program with you all!
- Description: Spend your spring break showing our environment a little love by teaming up with a conservancy that has been committed to restoration, education and recreation for over half a century! Your participation will help this organization continue to protect over 60 animal, plant and insect species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Our team will engage in various projects around the conservancy, some of which may include invasive plant removal, fence repair, trail maintenance, beach clean-up and more. Come join us in this hands-on program and let’s get inspired to become responsible stewards of the living Earth!
- Location: California
- Dates: Saturday, March 25–Sunday, April 2
Meet the Site Leaders
Hey, Buffs! Our names are Natalie Clarke (she/her) and Bhawana Paudel (she/her), and we’re thrilled to be your site leaders for our spring break program!
Natalie is a sophomore studying environmental engineering with a minor in engineering management. Bhawana is a junior studying ecology and evolutionary biology with minors in biochemistry and astronomy.
Bhawana became interested in leading a program as a former AB participant, and Natalie became interested through her membership on the Volunteer Resource Center Board. We’re excited to explore some of the intersections between environmental issues and social justice. Join us to learn more about natural conservation and learn why the Earth means the world to us!
- Description: Join us over spring break as we volunteer at a local community food bank that serves families at risk of hunger. We will be working in an environment where one in seven individuals do not know where their next meal will come from. On our program we will be aiming to give more resources to families in need or struggling with food accessibility. We hope that the work we’re doing will be able to reach a broader community and benefit individuals that come from all different walks of life!
- Location: Nevada
- Dates: Saturday, March 25–Sunday, April 2
Meet the Site Leaders
Hi everyone! Our names are Ava Daley (she/her) and Deztine Carter (she/her) and we are really excited to be leading Help Beet Food Insecurity!
Ava is a junior majoring in elementary education and Deztine is a journalism major with an ethnic studies minor. This is our first year as site leaders and we are thrilled to bring you all along during this journey to help the lives of so many! Alternative Breaks has opened us up to new opportunities, created new bonds with other CU students and furthered our understanding of what it means to serve for the greater good of a community in need. We hope that you’ll join us in BEETing food insecurity.
- Description: Spend your spring break addressing food insecurity by strengthening local food systems and community gardens. Our week will include learning about food insecurity and community gardens, running a gardening club and teaching kids! Join us as we partner with an organization that is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through community connections and agricultural projects!
- Location: Oregon
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hello! Our names are Hayley Thomas (she/her) and Bryce Bennett (he/they), and we are so excited to be leading Ex-seeding Expectations: Community Gardening and Food Insecurity! Hayley is a senior majoring in international affairs, and Bryce is a sophomore in integrated design engineering. Hayley works for the Basic Needs Center, and Bryce works for the Volunteer Resource Center; as such, we both are very passionate about and dedicated to fighting food insecurity! We are excited to lead this program because Alternative Breaks provides great opportunities to learn about an important issue and give back while having a fun, community-centered spring break. Join us on a week-long program to address food insecurity in the Pacific Northwest through gardening and education. Together, we will have a great Alternative Break!
- Description: Join us this spring break and help develop programs for youth facing significant life challenges. Specifically, youth living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ young people. You will help prepare summer camp programs where campers can build community, confidence and memories while having fun in a welcoming and supportive setting! You will also learn about these challenges and help stop the stigma when returning to your CU Boulder community. So don’t worry, your service will not end on the last day of spring break.
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Greetings! Our names are Blanca Cerda (she/her) and Trishala Thakur (she/her). We are thrilled to lead The Stigma Stops: Camps for Youth Facing Challenges! Blanca is a senior majoring in neuroscience with a minor in sociology. Trishala is a graduate student pursuing her master's in data science. We are very grateful for the opportunity to be part of Alternative Breaks. This program not only allows us to serve others but also educate ourselves on different issues that affect the communities we enter. Join us for a week of intentional service as we break the stigma!
- Description: Join us this spring break for an immersive program of understanding and impacting homelessness in an urban environment. Our program will engage with the local community by learning about their culture and creating bonds through teamwork-oriented activities that provide opportunities to learn life skills. The week will be spent volunteering at local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other agencies while learning to become active citizens.
- Location: Ohio
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hi, cutie patooties! We are Alex (she/her) and CJ (he/his), the co-site leaders from the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) for the upcoming Alternative Spring Breaks Program! Alex is a sophomore majoring in urban planning and is excited to be returning to Alternative Breaks as a site leader this year! CJ is also a sophomore majoring in molecular cellular and developmental biology and is also the director of membership development with the NRHH! We are thrilled to be leading this program to assist the Homeless Coalition in Ohio! Our goal is to develop a more mindful relationship with our community through service-learning and recognition. We hope you will gain unforgettable experiences and friendships through this program!
- Description: Spend your spring break volunteering with Habitat for Humanity! This program will address issues around affordable housing and indigenous rights, and you will be helping to construct and repair homes on a reservation in South Dakota. You will be engaging and immersing yourself within the Crow Creek community and get the chance to bring more affordable housing to the reservation!
- Location: South Dakota
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hello, Buffs! Our names are Whitney Shapiro(she/her) and Orla McGrath (she/her) and we are so excited to be leading this Alternative Breaks program! Orla is a senior studying English and journalism, and Whitney is studying math. Orla and Whitney are both passionate about service work, and engage with it frequently, this is Whitney's second time going on AB. We were drawn to Alternative Breaks because of its opportunity to engage in mindful service outside of our everyday community.
- Description: Participants in this program will be exposed to a comprehensive spectrum of views about immigration and the borderlands by visiting local organizations that work with immigrant populations, learning about immigration law, and building an understanding of economic policies and realities affecting people on the border. This program is sponsored by the Casey Feldman Foundation! All students wanting to be considered for this trip must submit a short statement on their interest in participating in this program. Any student selected for this trip will be required to share a headshot and a short story or essay about their experience on Alternative Breaks to be shared on the Casey Feldman Foundation website.
- Location: New Mexico
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hi, my name is David Debretsion. I’m a second year biomedical engineering student, and I’m from Aurora, Colorado. I went on a spring break program of my own last spring and learned a great deal from my experience, so I wanted to try leading one this time around. This is my first year as a site leader, so it will be just as much of a learning process for me as it will you all, so I’m excited to go on this journey with you all! And I'm Sophie -- I'm from the Chicago area. I'm a Sophomore with a double major in psychology and journalism. Outside of school, I love to do art, hike, garden, cook, skateboard, and volunteer of course. I am so happy I get to be part of the Volunteer Resource Center, and help inspire other students to contribute positively to their communities.
- Description: Spend your spring break with Tennessee State Parks and leave a mark that will last a lifetime. Climate action and resilience are at the forefront of everyone's mind, pitch in and help do your part this spring break. Through your efforts, you will be able to spend your spring break dedicated to the preservation and conservation of a multitude of various species of wildlife including animals, plants, and insects. Working with a local community partner we will work to restore the environment and help maintain this historic site. Our group will engage in several service activities like shoreline cleanup, trail work, invasive species cleanup, and more. Join us in safeguarding the biodiversity of this historic site, and making transformative memories within your college career.
- Location: Tennessee
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hey, Buffs! Our names are Giana Rocha (she/her) and Mohamed Osman (he/him) and we are absolutely thrilled to be this year’s site leaders for the Alternative Breaks Program Resilient Roots; Historical Habitat Preservation.
Giana is a sophomore from Brighton, Colorado studying Political Science. Mohamed is a sophomore from Denver, Colorado studying Philosophy.
We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Alternative Breaks (AB) this year. We both had the opportunity to participate in an AB program last year and agree the experience was nothing short of life-changing. AB gave us the opportunity to give back through service, be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and create lifelong bonds. This spring break, we are excited to come back and create similar experiences for more Buffs! Join us this spring break for an unforgettable eco-adventure, where you'll not only recharge your spirits but also make a lasting impact on the planet.