SERVE TRIPS
SERVE trips are programs that allow students to spend school breaks helping others. The program has been a part of Lehigh University since the spring of 1995 and since that time over 300 students and approximately 25 advisors have participated. The purpose of SERVE trips is to enable participants to build partnerships with people sharing a common goal, to gain greater awareness of the need in our country, and to deepen their commitment to social action. This is an opportunity to spend time helping those in need, while having fun and gaining experience that will last a lifetime.
Previous experience is not necessary. These trips are all student run, so students work together to come up with fundraising ideas, but it will be the responsibility of each student to take advantage of these opportunities to raise the cost of their trip.
UPCOMING ---- winter and spring SERVE trips
winter and spring SERVE trips are week long projects across the country that incorporate volunteering, sightseeing, learning, meeting new people and fun. Each trip consists of a team of 8 students, 1 student leader and 1 staff advisor. Before the trip, you will meet a number of times with your group to get to know each other as well as get more details about your specific trip and plan fundraising activities. In order to apply for these trips, please pick up an application from the Community Service Office in Ulrich or download the application below. Included with your application should be a $150 non-refundable deposit. Depending on how much you have fundraised individually and with your group and the actual costs of the trip, you may have to pay slightly more than your deposit or you may receive money back from your deposit. If you have any questions email the Community Service Office at inserve@lehigh.edu.winterSERVE --- January 9-16, 2010
Habitat for Humanity - Burlington, North Carolina
This is a driving trip that works with Habitat for Humanity in Burlington, North Carolina working to provide affordable housing within the area. Volunteers will learn skills necessary to build and renovate houses as well as learn about how the existence or lack of affordable housing affects the surrounding area.springSERVE – March 6-13, 2010
Environmental Sustainability – Coker Creek, Tennessee
This is a driving trip that works to help preserve and maintain the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. Students will be helping out through trail preservation, park clean up and evasive species removal.Habitat for Humanity – Bloomington, Indiana
This is a driving trip that works with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter in Monroe County – Bloomington, Indiana. Students will learn about the lack of affordable housing in the area as well as skills that allow them to work on different aspects of building a house.Hunger and Homelessness – Atlanta, Georgia
This is a driving trip that will be working with an organization called City of Refuge in Atlanta, Georgia dealing with the issue of hunger and homelessness and poverty in the city and nationally. Students will be engaged in service activities such as working at soup kitchens, homeless shelters as well as learning about the issue and how to advocate for it.Hurricane Katrina Relief Work – New Orleans, Louisiana
This is a flying trip that is a joint program with the Community Service Office and Lehigh Hillel Jewish Society. Students will be continuing disaster relief needed still as a result of Hurricane Katrina. They will be able to learn the need for assistance and progress made since the event as well as skills needed to help out.**Please note we will not accept incomplete applications. Complete applications consist of:
- the Application
- the check for $150
- the Lehigh university waiver
- the medical consent form
- the student behavioral contract
Student Participant Application - includes application, waiver, medical information release form, and participant contract. All forms must be filled out and a deposit must be handed in with these forms.
Completed applications are due to the Community Service Office by 4:45pm on Thursday, December 3, 2009. Scholarships are available. Please contact Mike at myc210@lehigh.edu if you have any questions at all.