Roadrunner Tracks: Alternative Break Trips

Each trip is listed on Roadrunner Serve with full details and a trip-specific application. To secure your spot, follow these steps:

1. Complete the application for the trip you want to join.
2. Submit your non-refundable deposit (cash or check) to the Office for Student Engagement and Belonging in the Pope Student Center. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Pay in full by the deadline listed in the trip description and attend both mandatory pre-departure meetings. Failure to meet either requirement will result in removal from the trip without a refund.

The type of service project varies by trip, as each one focuses on a different theme. For example, past trips centered on hunger and food insecurity, included volunteering at community gardens, markets, and food banks. We’ve also done environmental-themed trips that involved local clean-ups. Specific project details are listed on each trip’s description page, and additional information will be shared during the mandatory pre-departure meetings.

The trip fee covers accommodations for the length of the trip, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), transportation, and 1–2 group excursions or activities. You’ll be responsible for any personal purchases such as souvenirs, additional meals or snacks, etc.

No prior experience is needed! These trips are all about learning and growing. Volunteer managers at each site will provide training, and questions are always welcomed. Just come with a willingness to learn, an open mind, and a desire to connect with others and gain new skills along the way.

You’ll receive a detailed packing list during the pre-departure meetings. In general, plan to bring comfortable clothing you can work in and one nicer outfit for a farewell dinner or special outing. For some trips, you may also need to bring towels, bed linens, and a pillow if the accommodations don’t provide them—your trip coordinator will always let you know in advance if that’s the case.

You will be physically active on these trips. Most days include full-day volunteer shifts, where you may be physically active and/or on your feet for extended periods. Excursion days often involve a lot of walking, sometimes in unfamiliar or unstable terrain, and the overall schedule can be long and full. Most days begin at 8:00 am or 9:00 am and end late in the evening with minimal breaks.

If you think you will require any physical accommodation, please reach out to the trip coordinator as early as possible so we can determine how best to work with you and determine what accommodations are possible. Please note that depending on the nature of the service project and its environment, certain accommodation may not be feasible.

Yes! Each trip includes some free time, including at least one full free day and one group excursion, such as a local tour, visit to a tourist site, or an outdoor recreational activity. While most days are scheduled with service and group activities, you’ll still have time to relax, reflect, or explore. Just keep in mind that any personal purchases or activities during your free time (entry fee, souvenirs, etc.) are your responsibility.

Participating in a service-learning or Alternative Break trip offers a unique opportunity for personal development, self-reflection, and community engagement. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of social issues, build empathy by working directly with communities, and develop valuable skills like teamwork, communication, adaptability, and leadership.

These experiences often challenge you to step outside your comfort zone, see the world from new perspectives, and return with a stronger sense of purpose and civic responsibility. Many students find these trips to be transformative and inspiring, shaping both their academic and personal journeys.

You may reach out to Alex Sanchez, the coordinator for the Roadrunner Tracks trip at [email protected]. You may find her in the Student Engagement and Belonging office on the lower level of the Pope Student Center (Pope 121B).