This spring break, Bobby Chien won’t be boarding a plane bound for south of the border to sip icy piña coladas and perfect her suntan.

Rather, Chien’s destination is a bit less exotic: She will be spending the week of March 23-27 volunteering in Tonasket, Wash. as part of the UW Pipeline Project’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB).

“I was just searching online for a community service project,” Chien said. “I came across the Pipeline Project and found the Alternative Spring Break. … Dedicating my entire spring break seemed like a really productive thing to do.”

That was four years ago. Chien enters this spring break as a seasoned team leader, poised to facilitate others’ involvement in the program.

ASB was founded nine years ago by Christine Stickler, director of the Pipeline Project, an outreach organization that matches UW undergraduates with tutoring and mentoring opportunities throughout the region. The goal for ASB is to connect UW students with K-12 students in remote rural and tribal communities, and engage the younger students in literary arts.

The initial response was overwhelming.

“Within two days, I had … 30 applicants,” Stickler recalled. That first year, 20 students and four towns participated in ASB. “We continually grew it until we reached 50 students, adding communities who heard about it.”

This year, 11 groups of five students will pack their bags for sites in Washington, including Forks, La Push, Neah Bay, Brewster, Harrah, Curlew, Tonasket, Paschal Sherman and Toppenish. The curriculum has also expanded at certain locations to encompass student-designed health care and environmental education, though writing remains the focal point.

During the week, children are guided through writing, illustrating and publishing stories and poems corresponding to a central theme. The works are compiled into a magazine, a treasured memento each UW student and new author can add to their bookshelves.

“The Space We Call Home” is this year’s theme. Stickler explained that the topic examines how we would communicate who we are to someone from outer space, and likewise how an extraterrestrial visitor might express their background to us.

“We’re exploring the notion of, ‘Have you ever felt like an alien? Have you ever felt left out?’” Stickler said.

It’s a universal message many can identify with.

Although the intention is that it will remain free to students, ASB has been unable to evade the effects of the recession.

“We have the teams engage in fundraising activities and piece together funding from a variety of sources,” Stickler said.

Students are encouraged to send letters requesting donations from family and friends.

Aside from those contributions, Enterprise rental car company is the primary sponsor, covering transportation by providing vans. The University Book Store also donates materials.

Regardless, ASB participants have found a cause they truly believe in, with many volunteers returning year after year.

In exchange for literary guidance and encouragement, the children offer the UW volunteers a glimpse into their culture. Stickler remembered a La Push closing ceremony in which she observed the local students leading UW students in a traditional tribal dance.

“It was so apparent the feeling was mutual,” Stickler said, a nostalgic tear welling in her eye.

Chien and ASB literacy arts student coordinator Kristin Quackenbush agreed that volunteers become involved in a multicultural swap.

“I think a misconception people have is they’re going in to give service,” Quackenbush said, who is leading a team to Curlew. “The reality of ASB is [reciprocity]. A lot of students receive more than they give.”

For first-time volunteers, a unique experience is about to unfold in those far-off corners of Washington. Though some of the newcomers anticipate hectic late nights, they eagerly await immersion in a new community.

Chuxin Huang, for whom this spring break will be the first spent in the United States, welcomes the opportunity to learn more about the children and about herself.

“I hope that through the time spent with me, children are able to reflect on their surroundings and learn more while having fun,” she said. “Meanwhile … I would like to achieve more skills about communicating with children.”

The ASB volunteers harbor no reservations about leaving their swimsuits and sunscreen behind this spring break. When asked if she felt as though she is missing out on one of the archetypal college experiences, Chien responded nonchalantly.

“There’s always plenty of time to hang out in the sun,” she said. “Vacationing in a sunny location; … it’s a nice break, but it’s not as fulfilling.”

Reach reporter Rachel Solomon at development@dailyuw.com