Collegiate Challenge

You can submit an application for spring break 2022 beginning Nov. 1, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT. 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 of at least five students in order to participate in Collegiate Challenge. 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.

The costs associated with participating have changed for the 2022 program year.

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: Groups are responsible for organizing and paying for their own lodging arrangements for the week.
• 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.

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.