Jumbo Spring Break Experiences
Civic Engagement
Jumbo Spring Break gives you a chance to live out the civic engagement mission of Tufts. JSB makes civic engagement a fun and enjoyable experience where we learn, give back to the community, and feel a sense of belonging and purpose while doing work for others. During our pre-departure sessions and throughout the trip, we will learn about the dynamics of the housing crisis in one community, partner authentically with members of community, engage in direct service side-by-side with community members, and consider the ethical dimensions of travel and volunteerism. The JSB experience will facilitate reflections, use restorative practices, and give you experiences that will help you be inspired and prepared for a lifetime of civic engagement in any future option you have.
Habitat for Humanity
JSB 2027 will be a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity’s collegiate challenge. Habitat for Humanity describes itself as “a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.” They believe that affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. Volunteers are an essential part in the work they do and without people dedicating their time and efforts to the building projects, their work and mission would not be possible. Volunteers do an array of different projects on the building site from building wall support and indoor constructions through doing the outside facades and insulation, to installing drywalls and painting all parts building a house are done by volunteers. All volunteer work is done with the guidance and support of HFH managing staff and they are always present on the building site. The exact tasks on the trip will depend on the stage of the build that the site is in and volunteering requires no previous experience in building. To learn more check out the Habitat for Humanity website.
Social
The second core component of Jumbo Spring Break is building community and social connection. JSB offers an array of opportunities to socialize, expand friendships, and form genuine connections with other Tufts students. You can join JSB as a friend group, or on your own — we want everyone to feel welcomed and leave the experience enriched in friendships and memories that become an essential part of your Tufts experience. Get ready for lots of fun evening events, times to hangout, have genuine and reflective discussions, and memorable experiences on an amazing travel experience.
Past Jumbo Spring Break Experiences
Jumbo Spring Break 2026
JSB 2026 travelled to Maui, Hawaii. We collaborated in painting, installing insulation, hanging drywall, and doing landscaping on four houses that were destroyed by wildfires in 2023. We worked alongside the owners of one house and formed strong connections with the Habitat for Humanity staff. Social highlights included a guided Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe experience, exploring Maui, eating shaved ice, and fun van rides. Check out Tufts Now Article to learn more. The JSB 2026 student coordinator was Zaynab España.
Jumbo Spring Break 2025
JSB 2025 travelled to Longmont, CO. We finished one house and participated in a moving ceremony where a new family was given the keys to their new home, we started another home from scratch, and we went to helped fabricate modular homes in a new factory. Social highlights included Rocky Mountain National Park, exploring Boulder, hanging out in Denver, and fun van rides. The JSB 2025 student coordinator was Lenka Smiljanic.
Jumbo Spring Break 2024
Spring Break 2024 was the first ever JSB! Students participated in an array of experiences around the greater Boston area, from meeting with the Medford Mayor, Environment America, and Medford Housing authority and discussing the housing crisis in Medford, all the way to spending three days on the Malden Habitat for Humanity build site. We also had daily group dinners, evenings spent bowling, doing escape rooms and group board game nights. To learn more about Jumbo Spring Break 2024 check out the Tufts Now article. The JSB 2024 student coordinators were Julian Chun and Lenka Smiljanic.