Our Mission

Collegiate Challenge

Alternative Break

Collegiate Challenge is a unique one-week volunteer program. It's offered year-round, however, Beaches Habitat primarily participates in the late winter and spring.

All you need is five or more friends ages 16 or older. Register with Habitat for Humanity International and select Beaches Habitat as your location of choice. After that, prepare for an incredible experience that you and your friends will never forget.

Collegiate Challenge offers an education all its own. While your group is on the build site, you’ll be learning about substandard living conditions and how affordable housing builds strength, stability and self-reliance for homeowners. This will allow you to see not just a house being built or repaired, but the people behind it – macro issues on a micro scale. These are life lessons you’ll carry with you far into the future. All the fun you’ll have will just be extra credit.

No experience is needed to volunteer so grab four friends or more and sign up for a Collegiate Challenge trip today!

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ or contact us.

Contact us about Collegiate Challenge

International Internships

Beaches Habitat welcomes students from abroad to join our construction program for 8 to 10 weeks. Students volunteer alongside our staff, future homeowners and local volunteers to improve their hands-on construction skills and gain a better comprehension of the English language. Volunteer internships are available for up to 4 students per time period who are participating through a sponsored program.

Students will have the opportunity to work closely with a skilled construction team to gain a greater sense of responsibility, maturity, and self-confidence through interaction with Beaches Habitat's staff, volunteers and future homeoners. Students will be trained to successfully complete tasks associated with construction of new homes and repair or renovation of existing homes, developing competence in the use of construction tools and an understanding of safe construction practices. In addition, through interactions on the construction site, students will gain an awareness and appreciation of different cultures and have the opportunity to improve their English language skills.

Students interested in volunteering may submit an application for consideration. Applications may be submitted 3 to 6 months in advance of travel and will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

Apply for an International Internship

Collegiate Challenge FAQ

Who can participate in Collegiate Challenge?

Collegiate Challenge is open to volunteers between the ages of 16 and 25. Although you don't have to be part of an official club or organization, you must be part of a group of 5 or more people to participate.

If your group includes anyone under the age of 18, at least one adult chaperone 25 years of age or old must attend for every 5 students. There are restrictions for volunteers under the age of 18. Please contact us for more information.

How much does is cost to participate in Collegiate Challenge?

There are several things to consider when planning your financial responsibility:

  • Program fee: $30. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and due within one month of registration. It covers supplemental medical insurance and program costs. This check should be made payable to Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to the Collegiate Challenge program team: Collegiate Challenge, Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498.
  • Host-Site Contribution: $150. This supports our local operations, helping us to buy things like building materials.
  • Transportation: You are responsible for providing your own transportation to and from the site, whether you are driving or flying. Please keep in mind that groups are required to have transportation available to them during your week with us.
  • Food: You are responsible for your own meals, with the exception of breakfast on Monday and lunches on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. All of our housing options have a place to prepare meals during other times. We recommend budgeting $6-10 per person per day for homemade meals, and more if you plan to eat out.

What type of housing is provided?

Beaches Habitat owns two houses that we make available for student groups and we also partner with local churches for housing options.

Please keep in mind that we'll provide open space for sleeping, so each person should bring a sleeping bag or air mattress. 

What does a week look like?

Typically you’ll arrive on Sunday afternoon, and depart the following Saturday morning. We'll begin with an orientation at a local community center at 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning. We'll work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. We'll end with a celebratory lunch on Friday, so you can expect to depart the site between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. In general, your evenings will be free.

Projects may include building a new house, repairs to an existing house, or another type of assignment that helps meet Beaches Habitat’s goals within our community. 

What is your cancellation policy?

Once you pay the program fee, your group has committed to the trip for the number of spaces confirmed. Here at Beaches Habitat, we'll start buying materials and making preparations. Program fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, and any host site contributions must still be paid, even if someone is no longer able to participate. A significant decrease in attendance or canceling a trip may negatively impact our building schedule.

To ensure the best experience for your group, our host team, and the future Beaches Habitat homeowner, please be sure your group can attend before paying the program fee. Additionally, if your group registers, but does not pay the program fees within one month, your registration will be canceled.