In order to encourage active citizenship, the AWOL program immerses students in educational service-learning experiences through exposure to diverse social issues and encourages post-trip application of those experiences.

All students affiliated with the University of South Dakota are eligible to participate. AWOL will not discriminate in membership on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Participants on trips are selected through a competitive application process.