Applications Available for UW Alternative Spring Break 2008

Applications for Alternative Spring Break (ASB) 2008 are now available in the University of Wyoming Center for Volunteer Services (CVS), Room 006 of the Wyoming Union. Applications are due to CVS by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8.

All of the trips are scheduled March 15-22 and range in cost from $325 (driving destination) or $600 (flying destinations). This covers all trip costs, flight, meals and accommodations, but does not include money for the free day.

The program was launched in 2005 in response to the devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes. Last year, UW students worked with the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington D.C.; protected and restored native wildlife habitats with Plateau Restoration in Moab, Utah; revisited the Gulf Coast to help hurricane victims rebuild homes; and assisted the Southern Ute Community Program work with Head Start youths in Ignacio, Colo.

Citing the overwhelming success of ASB 2007, UW CVS volunteer opportunities will again include different destinations. At each site, students will gain insight into societal issues and experience hands-on service learning.

This year's volunteer sites include two projects in Washington D.C., working with the issues of hunger and homelessness; a return to the Gulf Coast to work with an agency in Biloxi, Miss., that continues to assist hurricane victims; a return to Moab, Utah, to help preserve the environment by removing invasive species and planting those that are natural to the area; working with Habitat for Humanity to build homes and an addition to the volunteer center at the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in central South Dakota; and preserving an old ranger station and doing some prairie and fencing work at Northwest Yellowstone in the Gardner Ranger District.

For more information, call (307) 766-3117 or e-mail cvs@uwyo.edu.