Program Overview

Volunteerism and Service Learning Project

The Volunteerism and Service-Learning project area focuses on intentional learning with service being secondary. Participants will develop a plan, work with a group to carry out the plan, and then reflect back on the service learning event.

Service Learning

Service learning provides ways for youth to:

• make an impact through collaboration
• learn the value of helping others
• give back to their community
• develop leadership, management, and organizational skills

Project Level Goals

The project has three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Beginner

• Make a list of ways you can volunteer in your community
• Contact a community organization and see how you can help
• Keep track of your volunteer hours so you can share your impact

Intermediate

• Create a timeline for service learning projects you want to complete this year
• Find ways to fundraise for a service learning project
• Prepare a presentation on your service learning project and compete in your county's communication art contest

Advanced

• Lead and plan your club's annual service learning project
• Partner with a community organization to make an impact
• Work with your club to identify pressing needs in your community

Opportunities to Explore

Participants can explore various opportunities, including:

• Joining a local board or service organization
• Joining a school club and taking a leadership role
• Volunteering to work with your county 4-H office during an event or during the fair
• Applying to be a camp counselor
• Organizing a clean-up event for Earth Day
• Visiting your local nursing or retirement home and visiting with the residents
• Volunteering your time at a local food bank or soup kitchen to help serve meals or pack boxes
• Creating a "Little Free pantry" or "Little Free library" in your town

Careers

There are many careers that you can explore in this project area, including:

• Working for nonprofits and making a difference
• Being a food bank manager, volunteer coordinator, director of a teen center, or afterschool program
• Teaching others in an adult education center or as an Extension agent

Skill Development

The project helps build various skills, including:

• Leadership and service skills
• Communication skills
• Entrepreneurship skills
• Technology interests

Exhibit Ideas

Participants can create exhibits, such as:

• A display board highlighting your service learning project(s)
• Exhibiting a specific project your club made and donated, such as pet toys for a local animal shelter
• Exhibiting the income and expense book you created for a service learning project
• Displaying the bench your club built for a community space

Resources

The project provides various resources, including:

• National 4-H Curriculum
• 4-H Service Learning Resources
• Recordkeeping materials, such as planning for your project adventure, project plan, plan of action, and participation summary.