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Alternative Spring Break

ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK

We are thrilled to share that 2026 was another successful Alternative Spring Break trip this past March in Memphis, TN! We partnered with over 140 amazing volunteers from 14 universities and removed a total of 131,419 pounds of trash from McKellar Lake in Memphis!

 

2026 ASB Program

Each year, we dive into spring by offering college students a spring break experience like no other. So far, we’ve partnered with over 2,501 students from across the country, successfully removing over 1.8 million pounds of trash!

In 2026, we’ll be working in Memphis, TN, where students will explore the river on foot and by boat, collaborating closely with our crew and fellow students. Living Lands & Waters hosts several week-long cleanups (Monday through Thursday), providing students the chance to meet the renowned Chad Pregracke and his energetic team of river rats.

Dates Of Service Project: 

March 8 - 12th 

March 15 - 19th 

March 22 - 26th 

Questions? Please reach out to Callie@livinglandsandwaters.org!

Don’t know what you’re getting yourself into? Check out our What To Expect/Safety Guide one-pager.

FAQs

  • Meals

    Living Lands & Waters provides lunches on the barge Monday - Thursday. Dinner is the responsibility of the students and groups (with the exception of Sunday night). The Comfort Inn Downtown provides a complimentary hot breakfast each morning. We do encourage bringing snacks to stash in the hotel. Each room has a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker.

    *Sunday night dinner at Central BBQ in downtown Memphis, TN will be provided.

    If you or anyone in your group has any dietary restrictions (i.e. allergies, vegetarians, vegans, or religious restrictions) you MUST make Callie, the Project Coordinator, aware as soon as possible. If you do not disclose this before/when making your final payment, we will be unable to accommodate. We work with a caterer to provide lunch each week and need adequate notice when planning! You are allowed to bring your own lunch aboard if necessary.

  • Lodging

    Our lodging location is at the Comfort Inn in downtown Memphis, TN.

    Rooms include 2 full sized beds and can accommodate up to four people per room. Each room is around $141 per night, which when split breaks down to $35.25 a night and $176.25 for the week (Sunday night to Friday morning) at full capacity.

    The hotel also charges a nightly parking fee of $10 to park in their garage. With the exception of 3 complimentary charter/coach bus parking spaces.

    **Groups/students staying at the hotel - Final payments are due 30 days prior to your groups arrival date** 

    **Students and groups are welcome to find their own lodging accommodations. In this case only the $75 fee is required as payment for the program!**

  • Transportation

    Individuals and groups will be required to secure their own transportation to and from Memphis, TN.  They will also need to have transportation to and from the boat ramp each day where we will meet for cleanups (about 15 minutes from The Comfort Inn Downtown). 

  • Payments

    All groups/students will be required to pay a $75 non-refundable fee per attendee for dues and to lock in their spot(s). 

    **Fees are due as soon as possible, but no later than November 28th. Without payment, we cannot guarantee your spot. The program is first come first serve.**

    **Groups/students staying at the hotel - Final payments are due 30 days prior to your groups arrival date**

    Payments can be made online here!

    Make note of your group name along with the notation “2026 ASB - University/College name”.

    Ex: 2026 ASB – Smith College

    We will also accept checks made out to Living Lands & Waters. Please make sure to have your group name included and send to:

    Living Lands & Waters
    17624 Route 84 North
    East Moline, IL 61244
    Attn: Callie Schaser

  • Scholarships

    Each year LL&W presents six (6) $500 scholarships to students in need of financial assistance. To be considered, your application must be completed by January 16th, 2026. Scholarship winners staying in our hotel will be required to have their hotel fee taken out of their winnings. Participants applying for a scholarship will automatically have their spots saved without filling out the registration below.

    CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE 2026 ASB SCHOLARSHIP!

Our Impact

  • Pounds of Trash Removed

    13,934,638

  • Volunteers Engaged

    136,372

  • Students Educated

    29,401

  • Trees Planted

    2,321,009

  • ADM
  • Cargill
  • Cargo Carriers
  • PCNA
  • Anhesuser - Busch
  • Argosy
  • Clif Bar
  • Ingram
  • ACBL
  • Arconic
  • Bert & Ann Shearer
  • Campbell Transportation Company
  • CGB
  • Culver's
  • Hines Furlong
  • Marquette
  • Martin Fabert
  • Modern Woodmen
  • Shiela June
  • P&G
© 2025 Living Lands & Waters
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