Spring Service Experiences
Spring break ASE programs provide an immersive service and learning experience, led by trained student Peer Leaders. Each ASE involves service alongside community partners, purposeful reflection, and new experiences. Spring break ASE programs typically take place within one day’s drive of Boone.
Sign up
Spring ASE programs are filled through a lottery process. Before lottery night, make sure to stop by the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership to pick up a lottery packet. Packets will be available on the first day of spring classes. Students on the Hickory campus should email colemaner@appstate.edu to request a packet.
Lottery Night
January 29, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Price Lake (PSU 201A)
Cost
The cost for participation in a spring program is $225. The program fee covers transportation, lodging, and all meals during the program.
Students who need additional financial support to participate can complete the Leigh Lane Scholarship application, which will be open in January at least two weeks before lottery night. The application will be linked on this page when it becomes available.
Spring programs
March 8 – 15, 2025
Seaside Sustainability
Peer Leaders: Serena Ash & Odina Corbin
For a week, the Seaside Sustainability program will be giving back to the Earth by volunteering with the Nature Conservancy. We will be cleaning up and preserving the beautiful beaches as well as the animal habitats of Nags Head Woods Preserve! Nags Head Woods was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974, and protecting its unique habitats was one of the Conservancy’s first priorities in North Carolina.
The Elephant Sanctuary
Peer Leaders: Katie Kyer & Dana Lheureux
Join us as we volunteer at the nations largest natural habitat refuge for retired elephants. We will be working to help paint walls, gather food, and other exciting hands-on services. You will get first-hand experience learning about captive and wild elephants!
Restoration & Exploration at the Coast
Peer Leaders: Devin Axtell & Krista Martinez
Come join us as we care for and explore a 66,306-acre wildlife refuge. This coastal park is part of the National Fish and Wildlife Service and encompasses a few of our crucial barrier islands. Our program allows students to be part of the work that goes into preserving wildlife refuges, which play a key role in our environment.
Youth Outreach
Peer Leaders: Malli Mason & Laura Bogdanski
Work alongside Murphy-Harpst, an independent not-for-profit organization committed to meeting the needs of abused and neglected young people through residential treatment, placements in specialized foster care, and community programs that serve at-risk youth and their families. They’re committed to servicing all children regardless of sex, race, color, or creed, and whose needs can be addressed and treated within the scope of program services.
Affordable Housing in Appalachia
Peer Leaders: Fox Neumann & Campbell Butner
Frontier Housing believes that homeownership transforms lives by empowering individuals and families to achieve long-term stability. Students participating in this ASE program will partner in this mission by traveling to Kentucky to assist Frontier Housing with current projects. Throughout the week, we will learn about barriers to housing security and ways that communities are working to address this issue.