RSVPs for this event are closed.

Turn your spring break trip into a conservation vacation by joining us for our 9th annual Alternative Spring Break!  During this week of service and adventure you’ll give back to the environment, meet new people, and explore the great outdoors!  Plus, it’s FREE!

We're partnering with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to provide you with a unique experience for your spring break.  This is a multi-day project with five nights of camping on the shore of Upper Pahranagat Lake, starting Sunday evening.  We'll stargaze at Nevada’s dark skies, breathe in crisp desert air, enjoy gourmet camp meals, and learn about our environment from local experts.  During the days we'll restore habitats at the Pahranagat & Desert National Wildlife Refuges.  This year we’re setting aside even more time to explore the areas we’re working to protect.  We’ll take a few short hikes to see petroglyphs, play in sand dunes, and more!  There is no experience necessary - we'll provide all of the gear and information that you'll need.

The trip is free!  All meals, gear, and transportation to and from UNLV are provided thanks to generous grants from the Lincoln Dynamic Foundation and Southern Nevada Conservancy. These supporters provide funds for us to host the event and get students out on the ground to accomplish critical restoration projects in Nevada while gaining experience in the natural resources field.  

About the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex – The Desert Refuge is the largest wildlife refuge in the contiguous United States and was originally protected because of its outstanding habitat for desert bighorn sheep.  Click here to see pictures of the area. 

Frequently Asked Questions

To give you a better idea of what it’s like to be at Alternative Spring Break, check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions.  You can also get a feel for the experience by watching this video and checking out pictures from last ASB. 

What do Alternative Spring Break participants do?
Volunteers are a vital part of keeping our public lands and wilderness areas safe and clean.  Alternative Spring Break participants will volunteer by working on the ground with others to heal and protect wild places.  This trip is fun, rewarding, and can be a great way to meet new Friends.  You’ll also get to explore the places we’re working to protect and learn about our environment from local experts.

What is the cost?
It's free!  Thanks to the generous support of the Lincoln Dynamic Foundation and Southern Nevada Conservancy, we're able to provide all the meals, gear, and transportation, including tools, safety gear, cooking equipment, chairs, and tents.  All we ask you to bring is personal items, like clothes.  We do ask for a $49 deposit to confirm your commitment, which will be fully refunded when you join us for Alternative Spring Break.  The deposit helps us accommodate as many people to participate as we can.

Do I need to have prior experience?
Nope!  Alternative Spring Break doesn’t require prior restoration or camping experience, and we encourage all levels of experience to get involved.  You’ll receive a safety and training session by the leaders before you begin working on a project, including proper techniques and appropriate tool use.  

What do I need to bring? Click here for a list of what to bring.  (This may vary slightly as ASB gets closer.  If it does, we’ll make sure you know!)

How do I sign up for Alternative Spring Break?
Signing up is simple and there’s no application!  Simply fill out your contact info at the bottom of this page and click the red “Send RSVP” button.  We’ll send you an email with information about the deposit and a link to a short survey.  The $49 deposit is to confirm your RSVP and will be fully refunded.  It helps us accommodate as many people to participate as we can.  If the deposit it tough for you, let us know and we’ll work it out.  The survey includes things like dietary restrictions and medical information that helps us plan for the week.

How do I get to the project?
We’ll provide all transportation, including picking you up and dropping you off at UNLV.  We ask that folks carpool with us and not use their own vehicles to get to ASB.  As you can likely imagine, if everyone drives separately, we simply don’t have enough room to park all of the vehicles.

Do I have to stay for the entire project?
We ask that you come for the entirety of Alternative Spring Break.  It’s simply too logistically difficult for us to plan meals and coordinate safe projects when the group size fluctuates.

Will there be a camp host or chef on the project?
We’ll be cooking up gourmet camp dinners and desserts every night!  We’ll have coffee, tea, and a breakfast bar in the mornings.  We’ll also have lots of tasty snacks and lunch fixings.

What are the age requirements?
Due to the week-long nature of this project and US Fish & Wildlife Service volunteer protocols, we can only accept participants that are 18 years of age or older.

Can I bring my dog?
Due to safety reasons and concern for the animal’s well-being we do not allow pets at Alternative Spring Break.  There are swinging tools and moving objects at our work sites, which could be potentially hazardous.  In addition, while your pet may be adorable and well-behaved, not everyone is comfortable around dogs.