Are you looking for something different to do with your spring break? Are you looking for something different to do with your spring break?

Alternative Spring Break will expose WSU students to complex social and cultural issues through community visits, experiential learning, direct service, group discussion, common readings and reflection activities. This year, Alternative Spring Breaks will happen in Washington D.C. and Catalina Island, California.

Human Impact on the Environment: Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island is located off the coast of California, just 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles. This small island has been used for ranching, filming and tourism for the past two centuries. Over time, these activities have introduced non-native species of plants and animals to the island's small ecosystem. There are about 50 species that are only found on this island. Participants will work on a variety of projects with the Catalina Island Conservancy ( https://www.catalinaconservancy.org/) that help maintain the island's current populations, including fence removal, trail maintenance and invasive species removal. Lodging will be hosted at the Laura Stein Volunteer Camp (http://www.wichita.edu/j/?6016).

Hunger and Homelessness: Washington D.C.
Our capital has the highest rate of childhood food insecurity in the nation, and one-fifth of residents live in poverty. This area is also home to people and nonprofits working to change these statistics. This spring break trip will bring participants to shelters, food pantries and community centers to do direct service. Through this experience, participants will also be exposed to different approaches to community development and resource building. Participants will live in YSOP's (Youth Service Opportunities Project) Mission Center (http://www.ysop.org/), located blocks from national landmarks and time for exploring these monuments will be built into the trip.

These trips both have a course component that meets on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m., usually in the RSC. The different ways to take this class are:
1. Issues and Perspectives General Education (3 credits)
2. Honors (3 credits)
3. Zero-credit "leadership experience" that carries no tuition cost

Although taking the class for credit is not required, all participants must be present during the course time unless they have another arrangement in place with the advisor, such as an independent study arrangement that will carry class credit

Applications can be found at http://www.wichita.edu/altbreak and are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.