Collegiate Challenge

Details

• Available trip dates in May-October 2024.
• Contribution of $50 per person, not required in advance.

Description

From the staff at Armstrong Habitat for Humanity:

Armstrong Habitat is a small, but very productive affiliate. We are located in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, about 40 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh. Our area was greatly affected by the loss of industry and manufacturing jobs, which has impacted homeownership and the ability of homeowners to keep up with critical home repairs. Our affiliate has been able to provide help to these individuals and has led revitalization and blight reduction initiatives in our area. We are currently working on finishing a new construction home as well as the renovation of three homes.

Upcoming available trips

• Week of May 12
• Week of May 26
• Week of Sept. 8
• Week of Oct. 6

Details

• Available trip dates in May-June 2024
• No contribution required.

Description

From the staff at Habitat for Humanity of St. Tammany West:

Habitat for Humanity STW is located in Mandeville, Louisiana, only 40 minutes north of New Orleans. While in Mandeville, your days will be filled with volunteer service and your evenings will be free to take advantage of everything beautiful Southeastern Louisiana has to offer, including tons of nature and wildlife! We can assist in scheduling swamp tours and sunset canoe trips, while sharing restaurant and attraction suggestions. You will also be able to explore and take in the culture of New Orleans. Hope to see you soon!

Upcoming available trips

• Week of May 5
• Week of June 2
• Week of June 16
• Week of June 23

Details

• Available trip dates in May-June 2024.
• Contribution of $75 per person, not required in advance.

Description

From the staff at Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Indiana:

Come help us build affordable housing in beautiful Madison, Indiana! Located on the Ohio River in Southern Indiana, Madison is a picturesque, growing town with a rich history and plenty of outdoor adventures, music and food to experience! Collegiate Challenge participants will be helping with new construction projects alongside our dedicated staff and core volunteers. We can’t wait to meet you!

Upcoming available trips

• Week of May 26
• Week of June 2
• Week of June 9
• Week of June 16

Collegiate Challenge opportunities are available year-round to submit an application for. Please refer to the schedule of opportunities for the dates when travel months will be posted. After you apply, the local Habitat affiliate will reach out to you within two business days to complete your registration.

Note: Your team’s place is not reserved until your chosen Habitat affiliate contacts you. 

Volunteers age 18 and older may participate in this program. Chaperones over the age of 25 are also welcome.

Local Habitat organizations, or affiliates, across the country host Collegiate Challenge volunteer groups for weeklong periods, typically over spring, summer and fall breaks.

Each location is unique with different group sizes based on local Habitat affiliates’ needs. Habitat affiliates will provide the materials and service work for the week, while you are responsible for recruiting your group, finding accommodations and transportation to and from the site for the week.

Most groups arrive on Sunday and depart the following Saturday, but this can vary based on the Habitat location you are working with.

1. First, you’ll need a group with a few other students. Please check with the Habitat location to find out the minimum team size they require. See question “Can I participate as an individual?” for more details.
2. Once you have an interested group of friends, identify a team leader and your preferred travel dates. The team leader will serve as the primary point of contact for Habitat on all matters related to the volunteer trip. The team leader must be someone who is traveling on your trip.
3. Search the listings, select an opportunity – local Habitat and date — for your group’s participation and click Apply.
4. This will take you to an intake form, which must be completed and submitted by the team leader on behalf of the entire group. Individual group members should not submit separate forms.
5. Within two business days, your selected Habitat will contact your team’s leader to complete your registration. 

At this time, Collegiate Challenge is only open to groups. The minimum and maximum team sizes are set by each local Habitat organization and depend on their capacity.

The group doesn’t have to be an official club or organization to participate. Ask around within your school, church, civic group or friends. You never know who might be interested, and how a trip together might strengthen your relationships!

Each group should select a team leader who is the primary contact for the group. A single point of contact — the group leader — for all communication with Habitat affiliates is important to avoid confusion and ensure alignment on all aspects of the trip. 

The team leader should submit the application on behalf of the group and should manage all follow-up communication with the local Habitat to complete registration and to help your group prepare for the trip.

Please consider the following before submitting an application to the local Habitat affiliate:

• Affiliate contribution: The per-person fee required to participate. This varies by Habitat affiliate and is used to support the local project. You’ll pay this fee directly to the local Habitat affiliate either before or upon arrival. Refer to the list of local Habitat affiliates and their locations for the contribution levels and payment deadlines.
• Accommodations: It will be your group’s logistical and financial responsibility to secure accommodations for the week unless the local Habitat organization specifically offers lodging as part of their opportunity. Please check directly with that Habitat location to find out if lodgings will be provided to you.
• Transportation: Groups are responsible for their own transportation and all travel costs to and from the site, whether you are driving or flying.
• Food: Groups are responsible for their own meals, food arrangements and costs unless the local Habitat organization states otherwise. Please check directly with the specific Habitat location to find out if any meals will be provided to you.

In most cases, your group will arrive on Sunday afternoon, and depart the following Saturday morning. Build activities occur Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday, but the schedule varies by Habitat affiliate and location.

Projects may include building or repairing a home, assisting in a Habitat ReStore, landscaping projects or another type of assignment that helps meet Habitat’s goals within that community. Some affiliates may plan an evening activity for your group, such as dinner with a Habitat partner family, but generally your evenings will be free.

Cancellation policies are set by each local Habitat affiliate. Generally, you will be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit to secure your trip dates, while the remainder of your fees are due closer to the time of the trip. However, this varies by affiliate. Make sure that you understand their policies before you confirm your trip.