Enhancing Learning Through Alternative Spring Break Jamie Bouldin Assistant Director for Leadership and Service Student Affairs Programs, Stephen F. Austin State University

A little about me Assistant Director for Leadership and Service – Student Affairs Programs Worked at SFA for two years Alumna of SFA (Axe ‘em Jacks!) and The University of Tennessee (It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol!) Areas of oversight Experience with service learning (936)

In this presentation Team Leaders Location Student Team Pre-trip Activities Service Projects Wrap-ups Post-trip Reflections Budget

SFA’s ASB trips 2010 –First ASB trip through Leadership and Service –New Orleans, La –Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Mission 2011 –Memphis, Tenn. –Shelby Farms, Boys and Girls Club, Mid-South Food Bank Above: ASB 2011, Boys and Girls Club of Memphis Left: ASB 2010, New Orleans

Getting started Plan learning outcomes for your program Start early – many places book up and contracts always take longer than anticipated Set a budget Think outside the box for locations and projects Multi-stage reflection components

Team Leaders Choose students to help facilitate the trip Gives them experience Enhances their learning Peer-to-peer reflections Expectations Location proposals Leadership training Risk management training

Location Proposal Criteria Destination restrictions Housing options Service project options Fun activities Educational aspect Pre-trip meeting activities Reflection components Transportation Budget

Location Drive time Activities Culture Housing options Educational elements Variety of service projects

Choosing Participants Application and interviews Questions can begin the reflection process Including a service project Diversity Team Leader involvement Expectations Above and Far Left: ASB 2010, Habitat for Humanity Left: ASB 2010, New Orleans Mission

Connections to curriculum Diverse majors Tailor activities to their majors Encourage discussion that utilizes things they have learned in the classroom Develop opportunities for projects/research

Pre-Trip Activities Multiple pre-trip meetings Educational opportunities –Faculty lecturers –Incorporating music and films –Discussion topics –Readings Each meeting is a chance for them to get to know each other on a deeper level Will strengthen the team Gives you a foundation for reflection and assessment Confront stereotypes

Selecting Service Projects Vary your activities –NOLA: Two days with New Orleans Mission (homeless shelter), three days with Habitat –Memphis: Two days with Mid-South Food Bank, one day with Shelby Farms (environmental projects), one day with B&CG Choose projects that lend themselves to meaningful experiences Contact with population served Above: ASB 2011 Left: ASB 2010

Selecting Service Projects Sign up early Confirm early and often Select projects that offer meaningful work Reflection opportunities Encourage the students to ask questions while at the site Make them interact – don’t let them crowd up for lunch or down times

Reflection Opportunities Offer a multitude of ways to reflect Allow them to be creative Include it throughout the day Structure the activities Allow the team leaders to head it up Journaling ASB 2011: Creating a reflection banner

Suggested activities Draw Your Impact Reflection Journals Blogging Peer Interviews Highs and Lows Quotation Reflections If I Had A Million Dollars Budget Exercise Reflection of the Senses

More suggested activities On The Spot Reflections Role Plays Sentence Stems Strong Circle Force Field Analysis

All Reflection, All The Time! Take advantage of down times, like van rides and eating Encourage it in ways that don’t feel like work Give them a break every once in a while

Post-Trip Activities Follow up assessment Collect journals Allow them to continue blogging