Other Service Trips

There are several groups in Ames that take college students (and sometime community members) on community service trips. These trips are not directly affiliated with Iowa State University, the Memorial Union, or the Student Activities Center. Check out the options!

Cru

Cru has several opportunities for service trips. Big Break is a spring break opportunity in Panama City Beach, FL, to share Jesus with people in Florida. See iowastcru.org/big-break for more.  Cru also sends people on summer projects every summer. There are lots of summer project opportunities both domestically and internationally. See iowastcru.org/summer-projects for more.
For more information about these or other opportunities, contact Cru at contactus@iowastcru.org.

Collegiate United Methodist Church/Wesley Foundation

The Wesley Foundation organizes a Winter Break and a Spring Break trip each year. Some of the past trips include working with women and homelessness in San Francisco, helping with hurricane relief in Mississippi, and working on the Heifer Project ranch near Perryville, Arkansas. The cost is subsidized by fundraisers and donations from the church and local community. Contact Jim Shirbourn for more information.

Habitat for Humanity at Iowa State University

Each year during Spring Break, ISU Habitat for Humanity will takes Collegiate Challenge spring break trips.   On the trips they work from Monday-Friday and then had free time at night and on the other days to do fun activities. For more information, visit their website.

Living Lands & Waters (LL&W)

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a great opportunity for students to assist with environmental projects.   The trip runs from Sunday to Thursday.  For details please check the website or contact the Programs Coordinator, Ashley Stover, at 309-737-5913 or Ashley@livinglandsandwaters.org

Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA)

Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA) plans a few Spring Break trips each year that focus on service and spirituality.  Cost is subsidized by work projects and may be negotiable.  Interested students can contact Pastor Scott Johnson via the Lutheran Campus Ministry website. 

Memorial Lutheran Church and Student Center

Memorial Lutheran Church organizes a spring break service trip each year. Although trips to other locations such as Appalachia and Mexico have been done in the past, the last few years have focused on hurricane relief work in the Gulf Coast, at sites such as Biloxi, Mississippi; Chauvin, Louisiana, and New Orleans. The cost is subsidized by fundraisers and donations from the church and local community. Contact David Beagley for more information. Other service trips, such as flood relief in Cedar Rapids, are organized periodically throughout the year.

Pay It Forward Tour - Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF)

The Pay It Forward Tour will consists of multiple buses and over 1,500 students from college campus across the Midwest! Collectively, the Tours will serve over 200 communities each year. The Pay It Forward Tour offers a unique opportunity for students to travel and volunteer in multiple communities across the country all over Spring Break. While on the Tour, participants have the chance to learn about different social issues that are affecting different communities across the country. Each Tour takes a separate cross-country route to five different cities en route to a joint end destination.  All Tours are open to all students from any University.   Any questions can be sent to stlfhawkeyes@gmail.com

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

In the past, trips to Appalachia and their sister diocese in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras have been available. Other trips may include but are not limited to: Washington, DC - homeless awareness and advocacy, and an inner-Iowa trip for disaster relief. Other trips will be planned as interest arises. The cost varies by trip and members of the church are given first priority in selection. Please contact Shari Reilly at shari@staparish.net.

Student Conservation Association Alternative Spring Break

Student Conservation Association (SCA) is planning two environmental service projects for Spring Break. Join students from all over the country in a week-long service adventure in two of the country's most spectacular parks. Visit their website for more information about these opportunities.

Volunteer in El Salvador

In 2004 the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus opened up a volunteer house in San Salvador, El Salvador. The poverty and frequent natural disasters that plagued El Salvador prompted the sisters to initiate Project FIAT International. The sisters offer alternative winter and spring break opportunities, summer trips and will accept groups of 12 or more at any time throughout the year. The groups stay in a two story residence built specifically for volunteers. They collaborate with the local villagers as they rebuild homes and roads. The volunteers tutor and provide recreational activities for children, feed malnourished babies, and offer literacy and computer training. These experiences open the volunteers' minds and hearts to new realities and bring into sharp perspective what is truly essential. In addition to the service projects, volunteers participate in various historical, cultural and recreational activities. The cost of the trip is $1,300 which includes airfare, room and board, transportation, and donations to the various service projects. If you have any questions, please contact Lynette Kyle at lkyle62@comcast.net or 215-468-6368.