Community Service-Learning

Service Learning is an educational strategy that UW-Extension describes as an integration of community service and learning activities that aims to meet students' intellectual needs and civic goals. Service-Learning is similar to, but yet distinct from volunteerism or community service.

Buffalo County youth are dedicated to youth-led service learning events and programs. Check out a few of our most recent youth-led service learning events and programs:

		This summer Buffalo Count youth participated in the first Make A Difference Service-Learning Day Camp. Each day of the weeklong camp youth completed a different service project in Buffalo County. The youth cleaned up the Spring Valley Dike, painted at the Mondovi Library, created games for Western Dairyland Headstart, renovated the Youth Building at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds, hosted a meal at the Mondovi Senior Meal Site, and washed windows at the Alma Courhouse.
		On Valentine’s Day 2009 a collection of six Buffalo County 4-H Clubs donated an amazing 119 blankets members constructed to Project Linus, a non-profit organization who mission is “to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill with a gift of a new, handmade blankets.” The blankets, which represented an astonishing 2,213 square feet of fabric, were constructed as part of a 4-H community service-learning event sparked by 4-H members of BBC 4-H Club.
		Youth leaders planned and organized a community meal for residents of Buffalo county. Over 100 guests were served by 20 youth leaders who created the menu, did the shopping from a budget, prepared the meal, advertised, and secured the funding themselves.
		Youth are shown packaging over 100 meals for elderly who are part of the Unit on Aging's Senior Meal Program. Youth "Caroled for Canned Goods" in December in order to secure the goods for the meals. Youth learned about the senior program and poverty in our local community.
		Twice youth have planned and organized a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, MN to show support for a fellow youth leader diagnosed with cancer. As a result of serving guests at the RMH, youth developed skills in budgeting, worked with diverse individuals, and practiced planning with another agency while learning more about the impacts of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
		In the summer of 2007, youth travelled to the Cheyenne River Native American Reservation in Eagle Butte, South Dakota as part of the first service-learning trip program in Buffalo County. Youth experienced Native American culture and poverty while aiding in the community garden and working at the local youth center.
		Youth leaders assembled packages for foster parents in Buffalo County. Youth secured donations for the packages while developing a better understanding about Human Services and foster care system locally.
		Youth planted a tree and surrounding garden at the Buffalo County Courthouse to show their support for both local 4-H alumni and county civic leaders.

Do you have a impactful idea for a service-learning project? Is your Buffalo County 4-H Club or youth organization interested in completing a service -learning event? Are you interested in getting involved in our existing service-learning programs? Contact Annie Lisowski, Buffalo County 4-H & Youth Development Educator at 608-685-6256 or annie.lisowski@ces.uwex.edu.

Service-Learning Links:

UW-Extension & UW-Campus's Service Learning - www.uwex.uwc.edu/service-learning

Learn & Serve America - www.learnandserve.org

National Service Learning Clearinghouse - www.servicelearning.org

National Youth Leadership Council Service Learning - www.nylc.org/discover.cfm

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Service Learning - www.dpi.wi.gov/fscp/sldppage

National Service Learning Partnership - www.service-learningpartnership.org

Points of Light Foundation Service-Learning - www.pointsoflight.org

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