ABSTRACT
Training equips alternative breakers with the basic skills, both soft and hard, they will need to successfully engage in direct service while on a break. Ranging from practicing construction techniques to learning how best to work with people with disabilities, training is a key practice to ensure positive community impact through alternative breaks. Aligned with education and orientation, training is the final aspect of preparation for the experiential and service-learning approach to an alternative break. Training for trip-specific skills depends greatly on the issue, organization, and service project. Just like education and orientation, training can be incorporated into many levels of the alternative break experience. During weekly pre-trip meetings, site leaders introduce skill-building training in addition to education and orientation. On-site training continues with insight from community partners and observation by site leaders and participants.
