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When are the alternative break trips?

We offer trips during spring, summer and winter breaks. The number of trips offered depends on participant interest.

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Who leads the trips?

There are two student leaders, called site leaders for each trip. All site leaders have been on a trip before and have gone through extensive training. There is also an Executive Committee member that goes on every trip to advise and mentor site leaders.  

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What's a typical day like on an alternative break trip?

Our alternative break trips combine community service, camaraderie, exploration and fun into a weeks time. Community service projects address a variety of issues including affordable housing, disaster relief, hunger, youth development, homelessness and environmental conservation. Service projects usually take place all day (9am-5pm), and then there may be free time and/or time for site seeing in the evening hours. Reflection, a critical component of an alternative break, takes place in the evening as well. Typically, there may be one full day available for site seeing in the area.  

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Do the trips have a fee?

Yes, trip fees are determined by the length of the trip and costs associated with travel, lodging and meals. VE will subsidize your trip cost if you log recent local service hours on Orgsync before the trip. You are automatically qualified for a portion of your cost to be subsidized by logging a minimum of 10 service hours on Cleveland State University's Service Activity Form. Participants will receive a maximum subsidy of 45% for 20 hours.  

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What does "recent local service" mean?

Recent local service is community service that is completed within 3 months of trip departure.

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What is considered “service”?

According to Viking Expeditions, service can be described as work performed on a voluntary basis by an individual or group of individuals for the sole benefit of others, designed to address needs or problems within a community. This said, service may either be direct or indirect, but does not include philanthropic actions such as donations or walks.

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How do I apply for a trip?

The application will be a form through Orgsync that will be available 2-5 months before the trips depart. Due to increased interest in trips, applications are necessary to help the Executive Committee select who will go on the trips. The application process lets us get to know you better and learn about why an alternative break trip interests you! 

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Where do the trips go?

Trips are not planned by selecting a destination, but rather by addressing the needs of the global community. We strive to build meaningful and long lasting partnerships with community affiliates and therefore go back to many places to which we have traveled to in the past. However, we are always looking to foster relationships with new affiliates, both domestically and internationally.