It was with a heavy heart that we made the decision to cancel Bear Breaks Immersion Trips for Spring Break 2020. COVID-19 put a wrench in our plans, but the health and safety of our student participants, as well as our community partners across the country, is always a top priority.

Training and Education in 2019-2020

The following trips were planned and ready for Spring 2020:

• What Makes Up a Community? Exploring Health and Wellness in Asheville | Asheville, NC
• Getting Back on Your Own: Self-Sufficiency in Atlanta and the Ability to Transform Lives | Atlanta, GA
• The Art of the Relationship and Therapeutic Play | Aurora, CO
• Breaking Bias: Creating New Perspectives on Homelessness and Hunger in Chicago | Chicago, IL
• Children are the Future: Empowering Youth while Exploring Justice | Dallas, TX
• Bears Against Human Trafficking in Houston | Houston, TX
• Many Hands Make Light Work: Revitalization and Renaissance in the Big Easy | New Orleans, LA

Leading up to Spring Break 2020, student leaders put more than 600 hours of preparation and education, focused on themes like:

• Strong Direct Service
• Full Engagement
• Diversity and Social Justice
• Education
• Orientation
• Training
• Reflection
• Reorientation

Bear Breaks is ready to create Positive Change in 2020-21 

“If you’re educated about the social issues we face, and if you get to know the individuals for whom those issues are reality, you’re an alternative breaker.  If you reflect on how that knowledge and those experiences inform your values and your life choices, you’ll be changed forever.  That’s Active Citizenship.” –BreakAway

Bear Breaks might look differently for the 2020-21 year, but the Executive Board and Trip Leaders are seizing this opportunity to reimagine what service looks like amidst a pandemic.  The plan is to spread the love and continue to learn and serve alongside communities. 

Bear Breaks is about Active Citizenship

Along with its goals – Educate. Engage. Empower. – Bear Breaks provides opportunities for students to learn about Active Citizenship.  Throughout their Bear Breaks and college experience , we hope to support students as they move along the Active Citizenship Continuum.