Mission and Vision: MISSION Viking Expeditions is a student-led service-learning initiative created for the purpose of providing Cleveland State University students with opportunities to expand their world view through leadership and service. We seek to foster lifelong friendships and a lifelong commitment to service, while also meeting the needs of the global community. VISION Viking Expeditions at Cleveland State University will be a leader in its field and a model service-learning program. We will make Cleveland State University known as a leading institution in creating a culture of leadership and fostering global citizenship. Local Service Requirement In order to receive General Fee funding support for Viking Expeditions trips, participants must have completed local service, prior to departure and with approval of the Center for Leadership and Service. Specific information about Spring 2012 local service opportunities will be available soon! If you chose to do local service on your own, then make sure that you do at least 2 hours of service and complete a Service Activity Form available online at https://mycsu.csuohio.edu/studentlife/leadserve/forms/serviceform.html Hard copy forms are available in Student Life, SC 319 and must be completed before the trip.

Important Information Summer 2012 Trip Application 2012-13 Executive Committee Application Spring 2012 Service Funding Application Service Funding 101 Sample Service Funding Application

Viking Expeditions’ Service Funding Committee

Looking to perform service at Cleveland State University? Are you a member of a recognized Student Organization? You can now receive funds through Viking Expeditions!

In spring 2010, Viking Expeditions sought and attained General Fee Organization status, providing us with a new budget to fund service – within our own organization and others. Our Service Funding Committee will work this year to provide funding to other student organizations interested in performing community service in this or other communities. Viking Expeditions has designed and released a comprehensive funding packet, which outlines specific requirements and application procedures necessary to obtain support from the service-funding budget.

The process for requesting the financial support of Viking Expeditions is very similar to the process for requesting financial support from the SGA Finance Committee. Organizations must fill out a funding request application

Please contact the Service Funding Committee Chair, Alicia Neubeck, finance.vikingexped@gmail.com or any VE Executive committee member in Student Center 319 with questions or concerns.

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Student Testimonials

	"When we were creating Viking Expeditions, I had basic goals: I wanted students to have an opportunity to travel, to experience different cultures, to understand global challenges - both in our community and abroad, and to address societal issues with service. I had witnessed other colleges providing their students with such opportunities, and I didn't want Cleveland State students to miss out. But Viking Expeditions is much more than a week of service. It's Facebook albums full of pictures, books full of hilarious quotes, lasting friendships, and a lifelong commitment to helping the community through service. It's a chance to get your feet wet when trying to solve societal challenges, a way to grow your leadership style, a path to grow through leaving your comfort zone, and a way to make a difference." -Heidi Vielhaber
	"I had very different expectations than what I experienced on my VE 2010 trip to Nashville. The trip enabled me to understand more about homelessness by meeting and getting to know a few people experiencing it firsthand. Those interactions broke many of the stereotypes about the homeless that had been with me for as long as I could remember. It is an experience I will never forget!" -Samantha Shunk
	"I had planned on going on the Habitat for Humanity trip to Jacksonville, Florida. This way I could do housing construction which I enjoy. Well, be it divine intervention or what have you, I did not get my paperwork in on time and so I was shuffled over to the Nashville trip. This trip involved going to various food banks and homeless shelters and helping out. After being bribed that I could drive one of the vans I decided to go to Nashville. I was impressed with every organization that we worked with. The amount of time and services that they offered was inspiring. Nashville, as a city, is a proponent for homeless people. So much that neighboring cities give their homeless a one way bus ticket because they don’t want them and they know that people in Nashville will take them in. Working and witnessing everyone’s reactions made me appreciate what opportunities I have and how fortunate my life has been. The work that we did was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined it. I admit that it made me feel good helping others! After the day’s work was done, the fun started. On night four, which happened to be St. Patrick’s Day, the infamous MAN jokes were forged and mastered into pristine form. These highly sophisticated jokes can easily be mistaken as a misspelled word. For example: My favorite tree is a MANgrove. When one is caught in the moMANt, the eleMANtal jokes come to MANd. Aside from losing my voice and being sick during and three weeks after the trip, the smallest negative aspect I had was telling my honors advisor she was right and I was wrong: I had an excellent time. Words cannot describe how awesome that week was, you just have to experience it for yourself!" - Max Orseno

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How much will involvement with this program and trip cost?
  Each trip costs around $350 per person. However, personal fund raising opportunities and support from the General Fee budget will allow individual trip cost to be offset. Many students end up traveling for around $150 dollars. The final total cost of your trip is ultimately determined by your own initiative combined with the success of group fundraising.

• Do I need any experience in order to participate in Viking Expeditions?
  No, experience is not required! We only require an open mind and a desire to give back to Cleveland State University, the surrounding community and any other communities you may serve!

• How many people are participating in the program?
  The size of each project varies based on availability and interest. Service trip sizes have ranged from 6 – 40.

• Where do we stay?
  Each of our projects comes with provided housing—though specifics will vary. Most often, housing comes with an on-site bathroom/shower house and bunk beds. Past facilities have included churches, hostels and schools.

• How do we get there?
  Travel accommodations also vary based on trip specifics. All trips will involve some form of automotive transportation, usually 7-passenger minivans or a touring bus.

• What kind of issues do we address?
  Viking Expeditions has/will address a variety of issues. Some of our past efforts have addressed affordable housing, conservation, disaster relief, HIV/AIDS prevention, hunger and homelessness, rural poverty and youth education.

• Where do we go?
  In the past, we've visited both rural and urban communities including:  New Orleans, LA; Almost Heaven, WV; Washington, DC; Nashville, TN; Buffalo, NY and Jacksonville, FL., Pensacola (Niceville), FL, Lexington, KY

• I think I have heard of something like this…
  The “alternative” spring break idea is common at colleges and universities across the country. Churches, youth organizations, community groups and national volunteer organizations run similar programs.

• Will I miss class?
  No; we plan our trips around the academic schedule.

• Who will be leading the trip?
  Viking Expeditions provides trained student-leaders to facilitate service trips. They are on-site to maintain the schedule, handle situational decision-making and facilitate reflection. 

• What if I can't participate in a service trip?
  We also have local service opportunities available. Subscribe to our email list by inquiring with viking.expeditions@gmail.com to be receive updates on upcoming local initiatives.  

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Please contact Viking Expeditions at viking.expeditions@gmail.com
with any general questions, comments, concerns or suggestions!