Each year during UT’s fall break, the Office of Student Activities offers students an opportunity for service. 

Through a program called TeamVOLS, the university sponsors Fall Break service trip to help those that are less fortunate. The university has been sponsoring such trips for the last 15 years. 

“Instead of taking off, students apply for a trip to do community service in another area of the country,” Matt Moore, group leader and junior in finance, said. “Last year, the trip destinations included Louisville, Ky., Winston-Salem, N.C., and Boone, N.C.” 

To be able to participate in Alternative Fall Break, students must fill out an application, which must be filled out by Sept. 3rd. 

Applications may be filled out on the TeamVOLS website, and students must go by suite 315A in the UC to sign up for an interview time. Although students apply early for the trip, they apply without knowing where they will end up during their fall break. 

“Applicants apply and are selected without knowing the location of the trip, which is top secret until a few days before the trip departure,” Alicia White, senior in biological sciences and team leader for Alternative Fall Break, said. “TeamVOLS wants the students applying for serving others rather than applying for a location. In years past, Alternative Break Programs have traveled to New Orleans, Charleston, (S.C.), Appalachia, Winston- Salem, Cincinnati, and Roanoke, Va., just to name a few.” 

About 24 students are selected after the interview process. Subsequently, the students are broken into two groups, each with two team leaders. 

The group works alongside many different organizations, such as Goodwill, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Salvation Army. 

The trip is an opportunity for students who want to be involved on campus as well as in the community. 

Moore said the trip gives students a chance to help less fortunate areas of the country, as well as to get a different perspective on the ways some people live. 

“I went on an Alternative Spring Break trip in 2009, where we went to Cincinnati,” Moore said. “Although I took the trip my freshmen year, I still talk to the 24 members of my team and some who are my best friends to this day. This has been one of the best experiences I have been a part of since I have been at UT, and I get the privilege to lead an alternative break trip this year with one of my best friends from my Alternative Spring Break Cincinnati trip. Take the opportunity to apply for a trip of a lifetime.”