The actual conference will begin on Sunday, June 12th. However, participants must arrive in Managua, Nicaragua before 8 pm on Saturday, June 11th. We will be running shuttles all day on June 11th and will be arranging pick up times – all participants will be notified of their specific time and location by June 1. The first session will begin the morning of the 12th, or the evening of the 11th, dependent on late arrivals. The training ends the evening of Friday, June 17th. Please make flights for the following day (Saturday, June 18th) - shuttles will take participants back to the airport in Managua, Nicaragua throughout the day.*


As you will see on the sample schedule link below and much like with an alternative break, there is little free time to explore the area during the conference week. If you would like to come early or extend your stay in Managua, participants should make those arrangements through Panorama Travel. To stay an extra night is an additional $15 for a single or $30 for a double. The Break Away staff will look into providing suggestions for other accomodations if needed.


Direct Service Projects: ABCs participants will engage in volunteer work focused on issues surrounding literacy. Possible projects include working in school construction and enrollment projects, material distribution, and ESL exercises with children at Centro Escolar ELIM and Instituto Diocesano Monte-Tabor. Our community partner will provide a wide range of education on the issues and broad exposure to the local community. More information about the actual project(s) will be provided as the details are solidified with our community partners.


Housing: Participants will share rooms assigned by the Break Away staff. There is easy access to shared bathrooms, dining areas and the workshop space.


Transportation: Participants should plan to fly into the Augusto C. Sandino Airport (MGA). In order to support this effort, our official travel partner, Panorama Travel, will book all participant flights at their reduced cost. Please call Catherine at Panorama Travel to make travel arrangements: 866.726.7262. Passport is required.


Education: The Learning Components (Education, Orientation, and Training) are essential to a quality alternative break experience. After registering, you will be added to a listserv and will be invited to join a Facebook group for your ABCs session. Pre-conference education materials will be available through these venues and on the website prior to the event. Links will soon be provided below. Participants will also receive extensive on-site education, including the Speaker Panel, additional readings, Movie Night, discussion groups, and activities at the service projects.


Staff Track:* This ABCs will also feature a dedicated staff training track focused on forwarding responsible and sustainable international service work in higher education and through alternative breaks. As a special incentive to the staff track, schools who send a staff person will receive $100 off the plane tickets of all Nicaragua ABCs participants from that campus (up to a total of 3). At least 25 staff spots will be set aside – and priority registration will be given to schools who register a staff and a student. This track will be facilitated by Break Away and alternative break professional staff from award winning programs at IUPUI, American University, University of South Florida, and the College of William and Mary. Questions can be sent to jp@alternativebreaks.org.


Participant's Confirmation Letter: Within ten days of registration and no later than June 4th participants should receive a confirmation letter by email. Pre-conference materials will be updated periodically on this website.

• Sample Schedule
• Staff Track Agenda
• Site Leader Waiver Form
• Participant Waiver Form