Alternative Break

While the mission of Alternative Breaks and Volunteer Vacations with American Hiking is the same, giving back to the trails we love, Alternative Breaks are geared specifically towards college students and young professional groups (such as AmeriCorps). Alternative Breakers will spend the week working, relaxing, and giving back to the trails with their peers!

We welcome you! Our Alternative Breaks are a fun way to learn new things and most do not require any prior experience. All of our projects do require participants to be in good physical condition and will involve 1-6 miles of hiking each day while performing trail maintenance. Please read the project descriptions carefully and choose one that fits your group’s experience level and physical abilities.

Alternative Break group registration for groups is $300 per student and includes:

• Lodging for the week
• Volunteer Long Sleeved Shirt
• Trip Planning Guidance
• Meal Planning Guidance (see below for meal planning information)
• Project supervision
• Use of tools and safety equipment

Alternative Break crews are responsible for paying for travel to and from the project location and for food.  Registration fees are the same for every location offered.  Registration fees are due 1-month before the start of your project. A minimum of 6 students or $1,800 total registration fee is required (see information below about reserving your desired week/location)  American Hiking is a non-profit organization. The registration fee helps offset the costs associated with coordinating our alternative break trips and ensures that we can recruit and send hardworking groups to assist our project hosts with their trail needs. Our volunteers also are exempt from paying park entrance fees, campground fees and backcountry permit fees, which for a typical week in a U.S. National Park could run upwards of $100. The registration fee is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

In 2024, there will be one Alternative Break that is open to any student, aged 18 - 29, who is currently enrolled in a 4 year college or university, or attending post-high school higher education.

Alternative Break individual registration is $380 per student and includes:

• Lodging for the week
• Volunteer Long Sleeved Shirt
• Crew leader or project host will coordinate the menu for the week.
• Project supervision
• Use of tools and safety equipment

Alternative Break crews are responsible for paying for travel to and from the project location, or nearest airport. The American Hiking crew leader or project host will coordinate the menu for the week based on the dietary restrictions/preferences you list on your registration forms. Airport pick up and drop off is not available for Alternative Break, however carpooling and ride share can be arranged upon confirmation of the trip.

You can also check out all the trips we offer as part of our year-round Volunteer Vacations program. Volunteer Vacations are open for people of all ages and available for individual registration. We often times have Volunteer Vacations that coincide with your spring and summer breaks. Please note that Volunteer Vacations are not planned specifically for college groups – participants will vary in age from 18-80.

Alternative Break crews are usually 8 to 15 volunteers, however, there may be limited group sizes due to staffing and accommodations. Groups must have a minimum of 6 people to participate in an Alternative Break.

Most trips last one week with weekends used for travel. A typical day will include a hearty breakfast, trail work for 5-7 hours (enjoy lunch on the trail!) and a return to camp for a well-deserved dinner and evening of relaxing around the campfire or cabin. All trips will include free time to hike, get to know your fellow crew members, and explore the area.  Each trip will include one “free-day”, where you will not be working on the trail.  Many hosts will have a special outing planned for the group for the free day or will provide the group with information on local attractions that you can visit on your own.

Accommodations vary, depending on the trip you choose. Options include car-camping campsites, bunkhouses,  cabins, or dormitories. Most Alternative Breaks will offer indoor lodging either in a cabin, lodge, or dormitory. Typically these facilities will include cots/bunk beds, full kitchen, bathroom(s), and running water. Please read the accommodations description for the trip location you are interested in to see what is provided.

Alternative Breaks are intended to foster an inclusive and empowering group experience. If there are any concerns or questions about accomodations, please reach out to volunteer@americanhiking.org.

Most Alternative Break groups have a designated student leader or adviser who oversees the meal planning and food shopping when they arrive at the project site.  American Hiking will provide the trip leader with sample menu options, sample shopping lists, a meal planning guide, and budgeting guidance to aid in food planning. American Hiking or the project host will let your group know what grocery store is recommended to use and what amenities are available at the lodging. Most Alternative Break groups prepare meals together or set up a meal preparation schedule. Group cooking gear will be provided for the crew by the host.  The purchase and payment of food is the responsibility of the volunteer group- food is not included in the registration fee.

Individual Alternative Break participants will have meal planning and food shopping handled by a crew leader or host. Food is included in the registration fee. Most Alternative Break groups prepare meals together or set up a meal preparation schedule. Group cooking gear will be provided for the crew by the host.

Alternative Breaks are a substance free program, and there is zero tolerance for the use of drugs or alcohol while on the trip, including free time and offsite activities.

For volunteer well-being, we are encouraging the following things in relation to travel:

• We encourage travel to the site to occur via driving, with as few stops along the way as possible.
• Practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and proper personal hygiene (hand washing) for your entire trip.  Whenever possible along the way, eat outside, in the car, or in the hotel room.

Individual Alternative Break participants should coordinate shuttle service fees and logistics prior to departing for their trip. Airport pick up and drop off is not available for Alternative Break, however carpooling and ride share can be arranged upon confirmation of the trip.

We require a $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve the location and week that your group wants. This deposit will secure that particular week and location for your group as we get a lot of inquiries from other groups for specific locations. Registration fees are $300 per person and will be due 1-month from the project start. We require a minimum of 6 students or $1,800 to participate in an Alternative Break. The paid deposit will be subtracted from the total registration fees.  For example, if your group has 10 participants, your group would pay the $500 deposit to secure your chosen week/location. The registration fees would total $3,000 ($350 X 10).  Since you already paid the deposit to secure your week- $2,500 would be due to us one-month before the project starts to cover the remaining registration fees.

If you are interested in joining the Individual Alternative Break, please reach out to volunteer@americanhiking.org with your college/university email and let us know your age, and what college, university or higher-education you are currently enrolled in. Students who meet the parameters to join this project will receive a link to register for the project and submit payment. The Individual Alternative Break payment will fall under the same cancellation policy as our Volunteer Vacations payments.
Do not book non-refundable transportation until receiving the project confirmation. AHS is not responsible for lost funds due to canceled or modified travel itineraries.