Discover | Serve | Impact
Transform your breaks into adventure with purpose!
Alternative Break Overview
Alternative Breaks are multi-day service-based trips for academic credit that focus on serving communities both near and far. You will have the opportunity to learn about social and environmental issues, meet other Boise State students, and build your resume. Trips take place during break periods in fall, spring, and summer. Trip offerings are based on student interests and community needs.
You will dive into the issues related to your team before the service project through the LEAD 225 academic course. Further, you’ll learn what it means to become a catalyst for collaborative social change.
LEAD 225
The Alternative Break program includes a service-learning course that leads up to the service projects. This fun and interactive class will provide you with opportunities to explore the theory of integrating service, education, and reflection to create meaningful change in communities both near and far.
Course information
LEAD 225 – Civic Engagement and Leadership is offered each semester we have trip offerings.
Fall and spring semester classes include four in-person sessions (three before your trip and one after you return) on Friday afternoons. The summer class is structured as a 3-week hybrid session on Thursday afternoons. The first part of each class will cover general instruction on the theory of integrating service, education, and reflection. The second half of class will be used as individual trip meeting time where students will prepare for their specific trip topics and experiences. Connections to local service opportunities and community partners will also be included.
Through this pass/fail service-learning class, you will get to know your fellow trip participants and staff trip leader.
In fall and spring, you have the option to register for 1-credit, 3-credits, or request to audit the course. The summer session is a 1-credit class.
- Students participating in the LEAD Certificate Program through the School of Public Service may use the 3-credit course to fulfill one of their elective requirements.
- Honors College students may also use the 3-credit LEAD 225 course as an H-Option.
Class Registration
After accepting your spot on your trip, you will be emailed a permission number to enroll in the course, the same way you would register for your other classes for the semester. You must do so by the first day of class. You will likely have registered for your other classes before this point, so it’s important to keep your schedule in mind to make room for LEAD 225 if accepted on an Alternative Break trip.
Assignments and expectations
The class uses a pass/fail grading format. All participants are required to register, attend, and participate in LEAD 225. Minimum participation includes completing a pre and post-assessment, class readings and reflections, and participating in the service project. The 3-credit section has additional requirements, including more in-depth readings and reflection prompts, and a post-trip final project.
What if I’m a distance learner?
Unfortunately, at this time, distance learning students are not eligible to participate in fall or spring alternative break options. The nature of the class requires in-person meetings and hands-on local service work.
We encourage distance learners to register for available summer experiences.
What if I’m a student teacher?
Student teachers’ schedules have traditionally conflicted with the LEAD 225 fall and spring class meetings. However, you may be able to work out an alternative schedule with your teacher/school. This is a conversation we encourage students to have early, as the LEAD 225 class is mandatory to participate in the Alternative Break program.
Trip costs and discounts
The cost for each trip is noted in the trip descriptions and includes housing, food, travel, and supplies for the different service projects.
Check out the scholarships and fundraising tab for information on ways to reduce the cost of your participation.
Trip payments
Unless otherwise specified, trip payments can be made by depositing cash/check or by paying online via credit/debit card to the Student Involvement and Leadership Center. Specific instructions are sent to students after they are accepted into the program.
Other expenses
Passports are required for international trips and are not included in the trip cost. Boise State’s Global Learning Office is a US Passport Acceptance Facility. Visit their website to view more information about fees and processing timelines.
We encourage participants to bring a small amount of cash with them for personal food during travel days, possible souvenirs, and in case of an emergency.
Scholarships and fundraising
Scholarships
Alternative Break Scholarships are intended to provide financial support to students who would otherwise not be able to participate in this program.
The scholarship application should be submitted at the same time as applying for an Alternative Break.
- Applicants will be notified if scholarship funds have been awarded and the amount, prior to being asked to confirm their trip placement.
Scholarship recipients may receive up to 75% of the total cost of the remaining trip fee (excluding any non-refundable deposit amount).
Decisions are based on financial need and the amount of available scholarship funds each year.
To assist with verifying financial need, scholarship applicants must have completed their
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for need-based scholarships and priority aid for the current academic year.
Fundraising
We encourage students to fundraise individually and as a group to help cover the cost of their trip. Some ideas include asking friends and family to donate to a trip fund, hosting a group fundraiser, working a few extra hours a week, and asking for birthday/holiday gifts to be donations for your trip.
It is important to note that since donations are going toward an individual and not to the University, the donations are not tax-deductible.
Application and selection process
Application process
The link to the online application is listed with each trip offering. Notifications will be sent via the email address provided in the application.
Miss the application deadline? Please fill out the Interest Form so that we can contact you regarding future opportunities to engage in the alternative break program.
Selection process
Students are selected based on their answers to the questions on the application. A team of individuals reviews the applications and then assembles groups of trip participants. There are no prerequisites to participating in an alternative break other than being a current Boise State student. Due to the in-person class requirement, distance students are not eligible to participate unless otherwise specified for summer experiences. Our goal is to assemble groups comprised of individuals with a variety of experiences and perspectives for each of the trips. Any remaining applicants are placed on a waiting list and contacted if a participant declines their spot or is no longer able to attend.
Trip options
Costa Rica Partnership – Summer 2026
Sustainable Agriculture and English-language learning with the GIVE Volunteers in Gandoca, Costa Rica
Boise State is excited to partner with GIVE Volunteers to offer a transformative travel experience that combines hands-on service learning, environmental education, and cultural immersion in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Students will explore Costa Rica’s forests, rivers, and coastal communities, gaining real-world insight into sustainability, community development, and ethical tourism. In the coastal village of Gandoca, past trips have included the opportunity to support organic farming initiatives, beach cleanups, and English education programs for local youth–building leadership, cross-cultural communication, and teamwork skills along the way. Past itineraries have also included a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center, a whitewater rafting expedition, and interactive cultural experiences such as homestays, cacao ceremonies, and community-led workshops. Together, these experiences foster personal growth, global perspective, and meaningful connection, making this both an unforgettable adventure and a powerful addition to your academic and professional journey.
- Partner Organization: GIVE Volunteers (www.givevolunteers.org)
- Dates: May 23 – 30, 2026 (Summer)
- LEAD 225: 1 credit – Pass/Fail Hybrid summer course.
- Pre-trip class sessions: Thursday, May 14 and May 21, 1:05-2:45 p.m.
- Permission code provided to confirmed participants.
- Pre-trip class sessions: Thursday, May 14 and May 21, 1:05-2:45 p.m.
- Deposit: $395
- Student Cost: $1,700 – 1,900* (includes deposit)
- *Estimate based on 20+ participants and a $700-900 round-trip flight (purchased separately). The price/participant for the GIVE program is scaled by the total number of people attending.
- Accepted participants will pay the program fee to GIVE Volunteers directly.
- Participants are responsible for booking their flights. GIVE Volunteers will provide support to ensure schedule alignment.
- Boise State will secure and cover the cost of international travel insurance.
- Students will need to have a valid passport by April 17, 2026.
- Application Deadline:
- Priority Deadline: February 17, 2026
- Apply early to get the best pricing on flights!
- Final Deadline: March 4, 2026
- Priority Deadline: February 17, 2026
- Application Process:
- Complete the GIVE Volunteer application and supplemental Boise State questions.
- Once you submit your application and are accepted, you’ll receive an email with instructions to create a password-protected GIVE Profile.
- From your profile, you will select our private group trip dates and secure your spot with a $395 deposit.
- Complete the GIVE Volunteer application and supplemental Boise State questions.
- What will we do in Costa Rica?
- View an example of an 8-day trip agenda from GIVE Volunteers.
- Scholarship Funding:
- To be eligible for financial support you must be a Boise State student who will be enrolled in Fall semester classes.
- Alternative Break Scholarships are intended to provide financial support to students who would otherwise not be able to participate in this program. Scholarship recipients may receive up to 75% of the total cost of the remaining trip fee (excluding any non-refundable deposit amount). Decisions are based on financial need and the amount of available scholarship funds each year.
- The scholarship application should be submitted at the same time as applying for an Alternative Break.
- Scholarship Application
