COMPASS HEADINGS is the Alternative Break Program of The Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning. Alternative Breaks are an opportunity for students to travel off campus (usually), do service work together, and to reflect more deeply on themselves and societal issues that face us. Being with a group of students focused on performing service and reflecting on that work can be one of the most meaningful experiences one can have. It can also simply be fun to go to a new place, get to know new people and work together to make a meaningful change for an individual or an area. All trips are substance free and participants are expected to abide by these rules.
Compass Headings trips come under the Civic Engagement area in the Compass model. They always have a reflective component, often with readings and at times with an associated Readers College or some other credit bearing opportunity. There are also at times opportunities for Civic Leadership by helping to organize and lead the trips as well as becoming involved on campus or on site with policy issues that are encountered on the trip.
While traditionally occurring during Spring Break, some trips have occured at other times. In 2008-09 we are expanding the range and number of trips to include an international trip as well as others. The following trips are being offered with more details in the section that follows:
NEW!
International Trip
Ticuantepe, Nicaragua, Spring Break. This year we inaugurate a trip to Ticuantepe, Nicaragua with Bridges to Community, a non-profit cultural exchange organization. Bridges challenge is to create a world where basic needs are treated as human rights: shelter, nutrition, education, healthcare, and employment. They work to meet this goal by bringing groups of volunteers to live in materially poor communitites where they work on ongoing community development projects. We will be taking a small group of 10 students in this initial year to work on building a house or a school kitchen as well as smokeless stoves. The trip will leave on Friday, March 13 and return to campus early on Monday, March 23. Program fees and travel expenses are approximately $2,200 plus spending money. Note that the deadline for this program is Wednesday, October 1. Applications are available at 2009 Application (PDF).
HWS Responds Trip to New Orleans:
January Break: Students will spend the week rebuilding houses in the New Orleans area for Operation Helping Hands. The group stays overnight in Louisville, KY on the way down and back. Accommodations have varied on previous trips but include a dry place to sleep, 3 meals a day and showers. This is hard but rewarding work. You will be asked to do pre-trip meetings, readings (news articles, etc) and participate in nightly reflections as well as be asked to keep a journal on the trip. We will also debrief on our return. Students will return to campus on Thursday, January 8 and leave for New Orleans the next day, returning on Sunday, January 18. Cost of this trip is $300 for vans, gas, and room and board while we are there. Note that the deadline for this program is Wednesday, October 1. Applications are available at 2009 Application (PDF).
