In 2026, Penn State Behrend students traveled to Roaring River State Park in Missouri for an Alternative Spring Break focused on trail maintenance and conservation. Through hands-on work—clearing brush, repairing paths, and preserving natural areas—students supported one of the state’s most visited parks while also exploring the Ozark landscape through hiking, fishing, and group activities.

Seventeen people standing in a wooded setting.

Penn State Behrend students gather with tools in hand after completing trail maintenance work in the forest.

Credit: Contributed
Seven people stand on a wooded trail, some holding rakes and shovels, looking up at a rocky cliff surrounded by trees.

The group pauses along a wooded trail to take in the rocky Ozark landscape during their conservation work at Roaring River State Park.

Credit: Contributed
Five people wearing purple shirts clearing a walking trail .

Students repair and level a muddy section of trail, improving access for future park visitors.

Credit: Contributed
Seventeen people wearing matching purple shirts smiling at camera.

The Alternative Spring Break group poses together outside their lodging after a day of service and outdoor activities.

Credit: Contributed
Eight people holding trash bags

Students collect trash and debris, helping preserve the natural environment of the park.

Credit: Contributed
People standing next to a stream fishing.

Students spend time fishing along the river, experiencing the park beyond their trail work.

Credit: Contributed
People in front of a silver bus.

Students enjoy a group outing at Ozark Mountain Ziplines, balancing conservation work with outdoor adventure.

Credit: Contributed

Behrend's Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Program is a recurring program offered through Civic and Community Engagement. The service trip aims for participants to make a positive, lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Since 1996, we have been offering a week-long Alternative Spring Break service trip that provided participants—24 students and three trip advisers—with a complete immersion into a community that may be very different from their own.

This experience is designed to engage students on multiple levels, including personal development, group and team dynamics, and public service. Through reflection and civil discourse, participants are challenged to grow as individuals and to rethink their assumptions about others and society as a whole.

Student participants and trip advisers are selected from an application process. All full-time, matriculated students are eligible to apply. In addition to the application review, applicants may be evaluated on academic/GPA standing and conduct.

Trip Highlights

  • ASB 2026: Trail Maintenance and Conservation project, Roaring River State Park, Missouri
  • ASB 2025: Hurricane Ian disaster relief, Fort Myers, Florida
  • ASB 2024: Community Resilience project, Puerto Rico
  • ASB 2023: Hurricane Ian disaster relief, Fort Myers, Florida
  • ASB 2022: Live Local, Serve Local, Erie, Pennsylvania

For updated information on the ASB 2027 trip, visit the Alternative Breaks website.

Support Behrend's Alternative Spring Break

There are several ways you can support this experiential program:

  • Donations: If you're interested in a one-time donation, you can make it directly at any time through our secure Giving to Penn State site.
  • Major Gifts: If you would like to discuss a gift or an endowment with the program coordinators, please contact us at 814-898-6609 or [email protected].
  • Let's Grow State: If you'd like to use Penn State's official crowdfunding platform connecting people who want to make an impact, you can support Alternative Spring Break and help fund meaningful service experiences that build leadership, foster community engagement, and empower students to make a difference.