Real Break 2022
Real Break provides college students (ages 18-25) with the opportunity to engage the Orthodox faith through trips of pilgrimage and service. Students travel during Spring Break to participate in the work of the Church alongside the ministries, monasteries, parishes, and people of each host city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from a Real Break trip?
Each Real Break trip is unique with their own mission and goals. However, all OCF Real Break trips are broken up into two categories – service and pilgrimage. The service-based trips have particular project(s) that are worked on with a specific host location. Though many of these trips also include visits to holy sites, their foundation is rooted in service. The pilgrimage trips give students a chance to explore and experience Orthodox sites with a unique itinerary designed for their age group. Past pilgrimage trip locations have included Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Thessaloniki.
What does my registration fee cover?
The trip cost includes transportation, lodging, meals, outings, materials, and donations for the trip hosts and certain visited sites. The trip cost does not include your flight to the designated arrival/departure airport.
What options do I have for fundraising the cost of my trip?
Fundraising for your Real Break trip will be a new adventure! Very rarely do students not raise the total cost of their trip. In fact, they usually end up raising MORE than the amount needed! As soon as you register for Real Break, OCF will send you instructions to set up your own crowdfunding page as well as fundraising tips and strategies to help you on your fundraising journey!
Who will lead my Real Break experience?
Each Real Break trip is led by OCF-trained leaders who are excited to meet you and give you the best experience possible. You’ll get to meet your trip leaders before your trip so you and your teammates can build community even before you get to the airport. You’ll also have a chance to learn from and interact with host location leaders who are faithful Orthodox Christians living out the calling to be the Church in the world.
How will we communicate with home while on Real Break?
The use of cell phones is not prohibited during Real Break. Students will be able to stay in consistent contact with their families.
What safety considerations are in place for Real Break trips?
We don’t want you or your family to worry while you’re away. We purchase travel insurance for each trip leader and student registrant on every Real Break trip. These insurance policies cover minor travel disruptions and major health emergencies. Additionally, each trip leader is trained in proper safety protocols for their specific trip location
What about COVID-19?
One of the highest concerns for OCF is the continual safety and well-being of the students we serve. As we navigate COVID and plan Real Break, our team is aware that conditions and expert recommendations continue to change and evolve.
As a result, we will announce our Real Break COVID policy as the trips grow closer. We will continue to monitor the situation and consult with medical professionals as we establish guidelines for participants.
What is Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s refund policy for Real Break?
When you register for a Real Break trip, you’ll pay a non-refundable deposit. In the event you need to cancel your registration, you must submit your cancellation via email no later than January 15, 2022 for March trips to Ministry Coordinator, Peter Mansour, at peter@ocf.net.
OCF will contact all of the cancelled participant’s donors to present them with the option of having their donation refunded in full or otherwise redirected to support OCF’s further development of the ministry. If OCF needs to cancel a Real Break trip for safety and/or other reasons, the deposit and all donations made on a participant’s behalf will be refunded unless the participant and/or donors decide to otherwise have that money remain with OCF as a donation to the ministry.
Fundraising Your Trip Cost
Fundraising for your Real Break trip will be a new adventure! Very rarely do students not raise the total cost of their trip. In fact, they usually end up raising MORE than the amount needed! As soon as you register for Real Break, OCF will send you instructions to set up your own crowdfunding page as well as fundraising tips and strategies to help you on your fundraising journey!