TeamVols, an organization that devotes itself to helping others, is taking applications for the upcoming Alternative Fall Break, which gives students the chance to do volunteer work outside of Tennessee.

Destinations are chosen by the team leaders.

“Team leaders research cities,” Holly Napier, graduate adviser, said. “They have distance limits, and they have to look at who has the best service.”

Although destinations have not yet been determined for this year, past trips have included Charleston, S.C., Richmond, Va., Boone, N.C. and Columbia, S.C.

Once a location is announced, the trip proposal must first go through several offices in order to make sure the trip will be safe.

In addition to choosing the location, team leaders also plan the service activities for the week.

“They usually get in touch with the United Way to see what they need,” Napier said. “They try to do diverse events during the week to make sure that there is something for everyone.”

Students who are going on the trip normally take only the bare necessities, like T-shirts, jeans, shorts and a sleeping bag.

“Most of the time they stay in a church, a community center or on a college campus,” Napier said. “Sometimes they sleep in a bunk bed or on the floor.”

Napier said she participated in TeamVols Alternative Spring Break in March 2002 and was astonished at the camaraderie and diligence involved.

“The people who went wanted to devote their break to helping people,” she said. “The students come back close and want reunions during the year. (Also) people come back wanting to do more service activities in their communities.”

Any full-time student who is in good standing with the university is eligible to apply. Students will go through an interview process and then be placed into teams of 20 to 25 people. Pre-trip activities such as fundraising and volunteer projects are mandatory for all participants.

Participants are required to pay $35 to cover their housing, transportation and food, as well as provide proof of current medical insurance for their protection.

Alternative Fall Break will be Oct. 10 through Oct. 13. Applications are currently available in the University Center Room 315A and must be completed by Sept. 4 at 4 p.m.

For more information, contact TeamVols at 974-8481.