Aranjuez, Costa Rica

Spread Your Wings at Natuwa

Students visited Aranjuez, Costa Rica to work with the animal conservation organization, Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary . The non-profit, founded in 1994, is passionate about preserving the beauty and diversity of Costa Rican wildlife. Through volunteer service and a culturally immersive experience, students worked with Natuwa to care for their animals including, but not limited to: macaws, parrots, monkeys, tapirs, tortoises, and big cats. Each day, students participated in morning and afternoon feedings. They collected empty dishes, prepared the food, and cleaned up the kitchen area after meals. The group was also tasked with other grounds work around the sanctuary, such as harvesting hay, cleaning enclosures, and other similar tasks. On the Friday of the trip, the group visited the waterfall and farmer’s market in Esparza. The group additionally spent time at Isla Playa Caldera (a popular beach) and the central market in Puntarenas that day.

Sandyston, New Jersey (Northwestern New Jersey)

Historic Preservation at The School of Conservation

Through boots-on-the-ground service and mini classroom sessions, five students learned firsthand about the importance of historical and environmental conservation in New Jersey. As a part of this opportunity, students also learned about the New Jersey School of Conservation’s grounds and its beginnings as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. Trail work and invasive species removal were the main service components – all with the goal of making the school more accessible, biodiverse, and continuing historical documentation of the area. This was a commuting trip with no overnight lodging. This trip departed from Ramapo College in the morning with students traveling together via provided transportation.

Hudson Valley, New York

Food Insecurity, FDR’s Four Freedoms, and Frances Perkins: Exploring the Origins of the Social Safety Net

The group visited the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum to gain an overview and then explored the impact and ongoing legacy of Frances Perkins. As Secretary of Labor, Perkins was the first woman to serve in a president’s cabinet. Perkins is a key figure in the development of workers’ rights and protections and the social safety net. The group also volunteered for two mornings at the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. This was a commuter trip with no overnight lodging. The trip left Ramapo College each morning with students traveling together via provided transportation.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Coastal Wetland Restoration with Common Ground Relief

Eight students worked alongside Common Ground Relief to plant cypress trees in order to aid in their mission of restoration of Louisiana’s coastline. The organization was originally started in 2005 with a focus on providing disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina. Headquartered in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, the community members that made up this grassroots group saw the impacts that the hurricane had on the community in so many aspects; including environmentally. Twenty years after the storm, students worked alongside community members to help continue to restore Louisiana’s coastline, while learning about Katrina’s impact. The group also spent a day in the French Quarter.

Washington, D.C.

The Memorialization of Minorities and Genocides in Washington, D.C.

The group visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, along with the National Museum of the American Indian, learning about the history and culture of both Black and Indigenous peoples in the United States. Students attended programming at American University, along with meeting with a member of Representative Josh Gottheimer’s (NJ-5) staff at the U.S. Capitol. Students also participated in a self-guided walking tour exploring Black history in the Nation’s Capital. The group had the opportunity to explore the National Mall and have free time as well.

Dayton, Tennessee

Trailblazers: Creating Paths and Connecting Communities in Tennessee and Beyond

The group partnered with the Cumberland Trail Conference to work on and learn about the more than 300-mile-long Cumberland Trail. The group had the opportunity to work on a section of the Piney River Trail. After days on the trail, students had the opportunity to listen to evening presentations and programming focused on environmental stewardship and the community they were residing in. The group had a day of exploration in Chattanooga, Tennessee to explore the Incline Railway and Chattanooga Zoo, along with enjoying some local bites.

The application for all the trips run by the Civic and Community Engagement Center will be available on Archway.

It depends on the year. In our recovery from the pandemic, spots on the trips have become increasingly competitive; so simply applying for a trip may not guarantee one a spot on said opportunity.

The Coordinator for Community Engagement will review the applications and decide who is selected to participate in an Alternative Break trip.

Students generally should be in good academic standing, having a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher; though this is not the sole deciding factor.

Applicants selected to become an alternative break participant will be notified in a timely manner.

During the 2024-2025 school year, 4 trips will be offered. One international trip will occur during winter break; three domestic trips will occur during spring break. Some previous locations have included, but are not limited to; Ecuador, Nepal, Ghana, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

Yes! You will need a valid passport to travel internationally. To be considered for an international trip, you must submit a copy of your valid passport to the Civic and Community Engagement Center at the same time as you submit your application on Archway.

If you do not have a passport, you must email a screenshot of a ‘confirmation of appointment’ set for 12 weeks or so before the departure date, so we know you will obtain one in time.

As please note that starting 5/7/25, a Real ID or passport is required for domestic flights as well.

Failure to have these documents by 1 month before the departure date may jeopardize your spot on the trip.

Most trips are open to all students. Occasionally there are trips that limit applicants to first-year students, commuter students, or other specific populations. Any limitations for applicants will be clearly noted.

Each alternative break trip may have one student leader and always one faculty or staff leader. Those interested in serving in this capacity should contact the Civic and Community Engagement Center for more information. Trip leaders are selected to based on prior experience with alternative break trips or similar travel experiences, overall leadership qualities and abilities, and commitment to work that furthers the common good.

Each trip will have its own cost. Fees are determined based on transportation, lodging, meals, program and other costs. The Center for Student Involvement subsidizes a percentage of the total cost of each trip.

This is dependent on the cost of the trip. If the trip cost is below $150, you will be asked to make a lump sum payment by a specified date. If the trip cost is above $150, we will request the payments are made in separate installations; payments will be due by a pre-determined and specified dates.

All payments are non-refundable.

Yes! You are the primary guardian of your own health and safety. It is important to remember this. It is also important to remember that you will be traveling with a group. Group members look out for each other and help each other to stay safe and healthy. You will be given a liability waiver and medical information form so that trip leaders can be aware of any health conditions or medical concerns. When traveling to unfamiliar destinations it is crucial to observe the highest safety practices. Always travel with the whole group or at least in pairs. Be certain that someone knows where you are at all times. Observe all the health and safety regulations of the host site. Never take unnecessary risks with your own safety or the safety of others. International health insurance is included in the total cost for International Trips.

Each trip will hold at least three (3) mandatory pre-trip meetings. You are responsible for attending each meeting. These meetings will cover health and safety, daily itineraries, team-building exercises, and provide a space to voice questions or concerns. It is critical that you make yourselves available for these meetings in order for the group to make the most of their experience. Dates for the meetings will be provided before or when the application opens, so we expect that you do what you can ahead of time to make yourself available. If you do not attend the pre-trip meetings, your ability to participate on the trip may be revoked.

• If you are unable to attend the meeting dates provided for your trip, please let the Coordinator for Community Engagement, Allie Shapiro, know at least 48 hours in advance. The Civic and Community Engagement Center will make accommodations to the best of our ability, as we want you to participate in these awesome experiences!

Once you have returned from your respective trip, you will be responsible for attending at least one (1) post-trip presentation, and the Civic Engagement celebratory reception that takes place each April. 

Visit the Civic and Community Engagement Center Archway page online and the Civic or email ccec@ramapo.edu for more information. You are more than welcome to stop by our office in room SC-213 as well!

One reason Alternative breaks were founded was to counter the excesses of “traditional” college spring breaks. Beyond this, alcohol and other substance-free environments promote safety, health, and wellness and offer participants more authentic opportunities for team-building and service to others.