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
• jfbouldin@sfasu.edu
• (936) 468-1088
In this presentation
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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