community service project assignment

Finally, community service can help with some of the more concrete aspects of your college applications as well. The work you do can be great subject material for an application essay, can lead to good letters of recommendation, and — perhaps most importantly — can lead to scholarships !

For more benefits of doing community service, see our guide.

Why Should You Start a Community Service Project?

If you're ready to start doing some community service work, you may want to consider  starting   your own community service project.

Usually, students will choose to volunteer their time for a pre-established organization. However, creating your own community service project gives you the opportunity to have greater control over what you want to work on and what you want to achieve.

Community service projects are different from traditional community service work because they are  usually focused around one event or one goal and have distinct end points. For example, you may decide to host a race to raise money and awareness for a certain disease, or you could plan a blood drive to help out after a disaster. These kinds of projects require a lot of planning and careful execution, so they're best attempted by students who have confidence in their ability to follow through in those areas.

Though planning community service projects can be considerably more difficult than traditional community service work, it can also pay off in big ways, especially when considering your college applications:

• It shows leadership skills. This is a big thing that colleges want to see in your extracurricular activities. According to a DoSomething.org survey, over 50% of admissions officers agree that being a leader in a project or running your own project is the best way to learn from community service experience. W hy do admissions officers love leadership? Remember, they are on the lookout for the leaders of tomorrow. Show them now that you have the gumption to be one!
• It shows the ability to plan and organize . While leadership can refer to an intangible ability to inspire others, the planning and organization skills it takes to pull off a successful community service project are noteworthy in their own right. To run a large-scale event, you will need to coordinate many people, accurately predict expenses, and create a timeline. All of these are important skills that will help you in college and the future.

• It shows your ability to work with others . Most community service projects will be undertaken with a group. By organizing one, you are showing that you have great people skills. You can recognize different people’s talents and understand how to use them to maximum effect.
• You will show initiative and innovativeness. You saw a problem and decided that you were going to be the one to fix it. Moreover, nobody else told you how you were going to go about doing that. This shows great critical thinking and problem-solving skills that colleges love to see.

Now that you know some of the reasons for making the effort to do a community service project let's go through the steps of successfully planning a project.

10 Steps for Starting a Successful Community Service Project

Step 1: find out what is needed in your community.

There are many ways to do this. Start out by asking your friends and family members if there are things that they have seen that need a solution. Talk to neighbors. Engage in a community discussion board such as Nextdoor.com. Talk to community officials (local government) and police officers, and speak with non-profit groups in the area.

Once you have an idea of the issues present in your area, spend some time researching them. What is the history of the issue? Is it a new thing or has it been around a long time? What realistic steps can be taken to address it? What, if anything, have other groups done in the past to fix the issue?

It’s also a good idea to research what kind of events have taken place in your community in the past. What projects were successful? What sort of activities had nobody show up? You can do this by talking to your local city government or local non-profit groups that have held events. You may also know from personal experience of events that you have attended. Which were the most engaging and resonated with your community?

Step 2: See What You Have the Ability to Do

It's time to start asking yourself the tough, specific questions. Remember to be honest and realistic as you answer them:

• What skills and talents do you have?
• How many people do you realistically think you will be able to get to help you?
• What skills and talents will they have?
• How many hours per week can you devote to the project?
• How soon do you want to do the project?
• What is a realistic amount of money you will be able to raise for the project?
• Do you have any materials at hand that will be helpful?

Step 3: Choose a Project

List your activity ideas. If you have a group of people you're going to work with, allow them to help you  rank the ideas from most to least important. Vote on or decide which activity you want to do. Make sure it is reasonable, within your means, and that you can actually make an impact.

Be honest with yourself and your group when assessing how to make the most impact. For example, imagine that you have decided to build a home for a homeless family. Would the experience of building the home yourselves add any value for the homeless family? On the flip side, could it cause any harm? Would it be more efficient and beneficial for the family if you simply raised the money for the home and allowed professionals to do the work?

Be realistic with your expectations and honest about the best way to reach your end goal.

Step 4: Develop a Plan

To start, write down exactly what you are hoping to accomplish . This will include a big-picture goal as well as the specific smaller tasks that you will need to do in order to get to that main goal.

You also need to go into the practicalities of the project. How much equipment will you need? How many people will you need to successfully complete each part of the project? How much time can each person commit to the project? How will you organize different volunteers?

Remember that you're responsible for the success of the project and one large part of that is that it takes place safely and legally . Do some background work to check out your liabilities and research the potential complications that can arise from the project you're planning.

Step 5: Recruit Your Volunteers

If you don’t already have a group of people helping you, now is the time to get some people involved. You can advertise in local newspapers, online forums, or websites like VolunteerMatch.org.

Also, ask friends and family if they know people who would like to be involved.

For each person, make sure that you have their contact information (email and phone number), as well as what areas they are best able to help in (making food, publicity, etc.).

Get specific time commitments from your members. How much time can they contribute every week? How much time can they contribute on the day of the event? Make sure they are realistic and don’t commit more than their schedules will allow.

Step 6: Make a Budget

Now that you know your goals, you have to get specific with how much money is going to be needed to make your plan come to life.

There are several programs out there that can help you make organized, detailed budgets. You can also do this in Excel or Word.

Make sure you list the type of items that you need – be specific! How many will you need of each item? What is the cost per item? What is the total cost?

Don’t forget that your budget has to include more than just the physical items involved in your project. If you need a license to have an event or if you are going to pay someone to make an appearance, that will need to be factored into the budget as well.

Finally, be sure to consider practical needs, like the cost of transportation and food on the day of the event for your volunteers.

Step 7: Make a Timeline

You should already have a rough idea of how long your project will take, but now you need to narrow it down to the specifics..

Pick an end date for your project that will give you enough time to put it together. Make sure that the date is approved by all necessary authorities.

Make specific  schedules for each of your volunteers based on how much time each can contribute. This is important – you don’t want to end up having to do everything yourself at the last minute because you assumed that people would be putting in more hours than they actually can! Try to be realistic with your expectations of what can be accomplished every hour.

Mark specific goals on your timeline. By a certain date, a certain amount of the project should be completed, etc.

Make note of specific things that are critical to success. What are the dates of fundraising events? When will you send press releases to the media? 

Step 8: Raise Money

There are a number of ways to raise money: street collection, organized events like raffles or an auction, direct mail donations, asking for contributions through church newsletters, and more.

Increasingly, people are raising money through crowdfunding websites, such as GoFundMe, CrowdRise, DonorsChoose, or Kickstarter. See if any of these are viable options for your plan.

You can also contact local businesses for sponsorship. Offer them some sort of advertisement in return.

Whatever you choose to do, you will need to develop a strategy. Decide what your plan of attack will be to raise the amount needed.

Top Tips for Raising Money:

• Get in touch with local officials to see if they have any tips, advice, or restrictions on how you can raise money
• Check into grants. Many charities will give money to projects that benefit their causes.
• Try to get money from a variety of sources so that you're not too reliant on just one if it happens to fail. Always have a backup plan.

Step 9: Get Publicity

Make a list of contacts at TV stations, newspapers, blogs, magazines, and radio stations. You are generally looking for journalists and editors. There are a number of ways you can get in touch with people who might be interested in covering your story. Start by looking for journalists who have written about similar causes or events in the past. You may be able to find an email address or other contact information by looking at previously-published articles. You should also check local papers to see if there is information about whom to contact for local stories. Finally, you can search websites such as LinkedIn, much of which can be accessed even if you don't have an account.

Initial contact can be made through social media (such as Twitter), or you can try to call or email the right people.

You'll want to talk with them both about the specifics of the project, and why you're doing it. Make sure you let them know who is going to benefit from your project.

Once you have your contacts and they're on board with advertising your project, make sure you stick to your schedule. Send out press releases at the appropriate time. Also, keep your contacts updated with any exciting milestones or achievements (such as reaching your fundraising goal).

You can also easily advertise on your own. Set up a social media account (Facebook and/or Twitter) for the event. Make up a catchy hashtag you can use when talking about the event, and try to get others to use it as well.

Step 10: Do the Project

Now it's time to execute all of your planning!

On the Day of Your Event

It may seem like the hard work is done at this point, but the actual event needs to go off without a hitch!

The first step is to make sure that as much as possible is done and set up the day before the event. Don’t stress yourself out more than you need to on the day of! It’s also good to send out lots of reminders the day before to volunteers, participants, media, and anyone else who is important.

Make sure you have a detailed schedule for what you will do the day of the event. Also, make a list of volunteer contact info, vendor contact info, and who will help in emergencies. Keep this with you at all times.

Try to enjoy yourself, but stay on top of how things are progressing!

Don’t forget to take pictures and stay active on social media during the event.

Congrats on finishing your project!

What to Do Afterward

Once your project is over, you hopefully have experienced and learned new things. Take some time to reflect on this on your own  and also get feedback from the volunteers and participants.

What didn’t go to plan? Consider how you could have done things differently and avoided problems.

What went well? Why were those things successful?

What have you learned about yourself? This can be many things like teamwork, leadership, or planning skills.

Also, make sure you stop and consider if you actually were successful in your goals. Did you help your target group? How can you tell that you have made progress and an impact? Take notes of these things.

Finally, take some time to celebrate. You’ve just undertaken and accomplished something that many people would shy away from.

3 Tips to Make Your Project Easier

If the above steps seem daunting, try some of these tips to help make your project a success:

• Try setting up your project through your school. This may make it easier for you to recruit fellow students to volunteer for your event, and it can also give you a convenient place to meet to work on the project.
• Reach out to a wide range of helpers to work on your project. You can do this by advertising in local newspapers, newsletters, through your city government, or on local websites. When your volunteers have a wide range of skills, it can make certain tasks - like contacting the media or making a budget - easier because there is a good chance that someone will have done it before.
• Partner with a local charity or non-profit if you have a mutual cause. The charity may already have registered volunteers so you will have to recruit fewer people, and it may be able to either donate money to your project or have ideas that will make your fundraising easier.

What’s Next?

If you would like some inspiration for choosing a community service project, see our list of community service ideas .

If you want to learn more about why volunteering might be a good choice for you, check out the benefits of community service for teens .

Already done a community service project? Learn how to write about your extracurriculars on your college application .

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Mary Ann holds a BA in Classics and Russian from the University of Notre Dame, and an MA from University College London. She has years of tutoring experience and is also passionate about travel and learning languages.

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40 Unique Community Service Ideas for Nonprofits (2024)

https://home.simplyk.io/blog/community-service-ideas

Individuals, companies, youth groups, and schools can all plan and participate in community service. Anyone can plan and participate in a community service project regardless of who you are.

Most community service project ideas come from the heart and are an excellent way to give back , build and strengthen relationships with your neighbors, and develop crucial skills for yourself.

We've listed 40 community service ideas for different age groups and causes . If you're looking for ways to engage your volunteers and tips to organize and manage a community service project, you've come to the right place.

Explore our community service ideas for each age category:

Community Service Ideas for Grade School Children 

Community Service Ideas for Middle School Kids 

Community Service Ideas for High School Students 

Community Service Ideas for College Students or Sororities and Fraternities 

Explore our community service ideas by type of activities:

Mentorships and Educational Ideas 

Health and wellness .

Food and Shelter 

Arts and Culture 

Community spirit, animal welfare , what is community service .

In the simplest terms, community service is when you do something to better your community. Community service ideas and projects can include volunteering, fundraising activities , advocacy actions, mentoring and coaching, and other development projects.

What Makes a Great Community Service Idea? 

The best community service project ideas engage the community and address a need. Some community service ideas are perfect for individuals, but most will require groups to plan and execute sustainable activities. When planning your group's next community service project, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Inclusivity
• Has a measurable impact
• Innovative and unique
• Encourages collaboration and helps form partnerships
• Promotes empowerment and education

Our Favorite Community Service Project Ideas  

Community Service Projects are an excellent way for people to give back and make a difference in their neighborhoods. Most volunteers for these projects are adults, but we're doing more harm than good by not offering children more opportunities to volunteer and build solid social relationships.

The following community service ideas can be accomplished by all ages, many by children as young as two or three.

1. Read to shelter animals 

A shelter can be scary and lonely for a dog or cat. Animals that have faced abuse, abandonment, and other misdeeds often have difficulty trusting humans. This understandable reaction can, unfortunately, make some impossible to re-home and lead to their untimely deaths.

Children have a unique ability to put many animals at ease. Reading to shelter dogs and cats will get them used to human companionship without endangering the children. This is an excellent community service project for local Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups. Contact local animal shelters to see what their requirements are for volunteering.

2. Help on a farm or animal sanctuary

Another idea that can help teach responsibility and caregiving skills is volunteering on a farm. Your community may have farms or animal sanctuaries that are looking for volunteers. Children as young as grade school can help with activities like animal socialization, clearing and cleaning out stalls, and helping with event preparation. Parents and schools can both ask around to see if local farms and sanctuaries need help. 

3. Clean up a community garden 

A community garden is a beautiful addition to any town. Young children can volunteer at a community garden, clearing out unused spaces to be used by others and learning to grow their own gardens. This can be a wonderful class project that gives hands-on experience to support a teacher's lessons.

4. Recycling programs

Climate change will be the most significant issue in our children's lives. Many kids are already looking for ways they can help the environment. Community service projects that inspire children to collect plastic, metal, and glass for recycling and educate their neighbors will impact your community and the world.

5. Visit Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are already filled with men and women whose families don't visit enough. An "Adopt a Grandparent" project with your local nursing home can help eliminate the loneliness many senior citizens feel and form long-lasting and impactful relationships for children and adults. As a family, you can encourage your children to develop relationships with an elderly neighbor and have the same effect.

Community Service Ideas for Middle School Kids

Alternativerly, explore our fundraising ideas for schools here .

6. Tutor younger children 

Middle school kids can help tutor and mentor young children as they learn the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Teachers and other school groups can form relationships with local grade schools and schedule time before, during, and after class for older children to share their knowledge and excite younger kids about what's to come.

7. Fundraise for animal shelters 

Fundraising is easier than many assume. Middle school children are more than capable of raising funds for their favorite charities in person or online. If you're looking for a community service project for middle school children, running a fundraiser for their local animal shelter will help them feel responsible for the outcomes and teach them crucial budgeting, marketing, and organization skills.

8. Design posters and art 

Another way to inspire middle school students to volunteer is to develop a community art program to spread awareness for the causes they care about and share their gifts and passion as artists. It's often difficult to get this age excited, but allowing them to take the lead and use their minds and hearts to advocate for a cause is an excellent start.

9. Send thank you cards

A simple way to encourage volunteering and add a community service project to your classroom activities is to start a mailing campaign. Ask your students to write letters to military personnel, police, firefighters, nurses, and doctors during the holidays or throughout the year.

10. Mentorship programs

Many high school children have faced and overcome difficult experiences, which makes them one of the best ways to connect and help younger students in your community. Local schools and community centers can start mentorship programs that offer one-on-one and group meetings for all ages. Adults can oversee these activities and offer advice, but the primary mentors should be high school students.

11. School advocacy campaigns

An advocacy campaign against bullying or to end homelessness can be a compelling way to get students involved. In some cases, students will start these by themselves, especially if there is a controversial teacher or action taken by the school. In these cases, school administration can use it as a teaching experience and direct students to use their passions responsibly.

12. Peer-to-peer fundraising

If you're in charge of a school or community club and looking for ways to encourage more participation, let the students take the lead in planning a fundraiser. You can host an event or run an online peer-to-peer fundraising campaign and have them form fundraising committees for sponsorship solicitation, social media marketing, writing fundraising appeals, and more.

13. Home and Yard Services

Another way high school students can help their community and an elderly neighbor is by offering free home and yard services. Schools can host fall and spring volunteer days that offer participating students a day off of school in exchange for volunteering around town to rake leaves and clean gutters and homes for families in need.

Community Service Ideas for College Students or Sororities and Fraternities

Don't miss our , explore our fundraiser ideas for college clubs and sports teams here .

14. Blood drives 

College students, especially sororities and fraternities, always seek unique community service projects. A blood drive is an excellent idea to give nursing students real-life experience while collecting blood for the local hospital or clinic.

15. Health awareness campaigns

Since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade, states have taken many actions that confuse and distress women and families in communities nationwide. College groups, sororities, and fraternities can run health awareness campaigns to educate students on their abortion rights and where to get necessary health care services.

16. Adopt a school

"Adopt a School" programs provide tutoring and mentoring for local public schools and students. College groups can contact local public schools and form relationships that can continue through the years. Younger students having the opportunity to speak with and learn from college students will encourage them to learn more about college, educational opportunities, and how they can make a change in their own lives.

17. Provide Healthy Snacks for Schools

Most college students won't leave campus for their entire tenure, but some community service projects can open their eyes to the lives of those living in the same town. Many families can't afford healthy meals for their children, and far too many neighborhoods are "food deserts." Student programs that find and make healthy snacks for local children can help alleviate this issue and educate college students on issues close to home.

18. Computer Literacy Classes

Computer literacy is required for most jobs, and the creation of AI has scared many people who wonder what skills they may need in the future. Businesses and local groups looking for ways to give back can teach computer skills at local schools, churches, and even family shelters to ensure more job opportunities and a better future for all.

19. Career Development Seminars

Other career development services individuals and community organizations can provide are resume writing, mock job interviews, and career advice. Connect with local businesses and community centers to set up a location, date, and time for an event or build long-term relationships with local schools, nonprofits, and government offices to offer these services year-round. ‍

20. Entrepreneurship training and support

More people are working from home, and many have started side hustles and new businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) USA report shows an all-time high rate of entrepreneurship activity in 2022. Business owners in your community can share their expertise with new entrepreneurs in your town. They can also visit local schools and educate high school and college kids about the different work opportunities outside college.

21. Fitness classes

Health clubs and fitness classes can be unaffordable for many. A helpful community service idea for community groups, nonprofits, and businesses is to offer free fitness classes to senior citizens and others in your community. A chair yoga class at a community center gives community members affordable and attainable fitness challenges.

22. Health Education workshops  

With constant marketing and news about the best way to live a healthy life, people are overwhelmed to the point of giving up. Your youth sports team can host annual health education workshops to educate neighbors on nutrition and stress management to help build healthier lives. Contact local businesses and healthcare facilities to find speakers and tips you can share. You may also entice them enough to sponsor or donate to your event.

23. Health Screening

Many businesses and nonprofits have stepped up and started to offer health screenings to employees and members. These community service ideas can help improve the health of your community when provided to individuals without access to healthcare. If you're interested in offering these services, contact a local homeless shelter or food bank to see if you can provide free vision, dental, blood pressure, and cholesterol screenings to those needing them.

24. Mental Health Peer Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) began in 1935 to offer a safe space and social connections to others suffering from alcoholism. Starting an AA group in your community is as easy as getting a group of alcoholics together and setting a regular time and meeting place. Groups can contact the national AA community for resources, but it isn't necessary. The success of this community service project has inspired similar groups to start more worldwide to address various addiction and mental health issues.

Food and Shelter

‍ 25. food drives .

A food drive for your local food bank is an easy community service project to add to your community group's calendar. You can collect canned food from members at every meeting, set up a table to collect food from your local grocery store or host an event to raise funds and collect donations.

26. Holiday meal events  

Another way to help feed your community is with holiday meal events like a soup kitchen or pancake breakfasts. Start by forming an event committee and find sponsors for your event. From there, you can collect in-kind donations of food and other items and promote the event throughout your community. You can partner with another local organization and make this an annual event.

27. Budgeting and money management skills

Job skills are critical, but many adults need more budgeting and money management skills. Organizations and community groups can work with schools, local homeless shelters, and other nonprofits that work with needy families to educate children and adults on the necessity of creating a budget, the best ways to save and make money, and more.

28. Surplus Food Distribution 

One eye-opening truth about starvation in the US is how much food restaurants throw away daily. A life-changing community service project would be collecting and delivering this excess food to local food banks. Learn federal, state, and local laws regarding food and food delivery. Connect with business leaders and organizations to see how you can help eliminate this waste.

29. Free art classes and performing arts workshops 

Art classes and performing arts workshops can feed the mind, but few free opportunities exist for children or adults to participate. Your school, business, or community group can volunteer or find artists to offer these classes to others in your community. Ask local companies to house your classes, sponsor an event, or provide items to help limit the costs.

30. Artisan markets  

An artisan market of local artists is an excellent way to promote community spirit and raise money for your cause. Local artists can rent a space to display and sell items. If you have enough space you can partner with other community groups to run a talent show or other performing arts.

31. Community Theatre Performances

Community theatre allows kids and adults to strengthen their artistic gifts and perform in front of a crowd. You don't need a theatre to put on a show. Your local library or outdoor amphitheater may be enough. Form a group to choose the show, audition, and choose actors. Finally, you can start rehearsing and building your sets and enjoy each other's creative talents.

32. Art for Healing

Music, art, and dance therapy have proven to be successful therapies for those healing from trauma. Offering these services for free to those in your community can make a significant difference in the health and safety of your community.

33. Neighborhood watch program

Community Spirit can encompass a host of things, but it means nothing if your neighbors don't feel safe. A neighborhood watch program that involves everyone and works with the police department to follow the laws can keep everyone happy and safe and build community spirit.

34. Historical tours and talks  

All towns have a history that most who live there know nothing about. Historical tours and storytelling can strengthen your town's community spirit and encourage more participation in town activities.

35. Historical Preservation

Documents, buildings, and personal stories tell the tale of your community. The preservation of these and preserve cultural traditions, locations, and stories. 

36. Community Mural

Community murals created by groups of artists in your community can brighten public spaces and improve community spirit. Involve local artists and find businesses willing to sponsor you with free space and art supplies.

37. Pet fostering

Fostering a pet can be a meaningful and challenging volunteer experience. It's also profoundly needed by animals and shelters worldwide. Contact your local shelter to see how you can foster a dog or cat.

38. Animal care workshops  

Animal care workshops are another way to help animals and provide community service. Teaching pet owners how to feed and care for their animals can eliminate early deaths and encourage more to adopt.

39. Shelter Volunteers

If fostering isn't an option, you can always find volunteer opportunities and local shelters. Most organizations rely on volunteers to help feed, walk, play, and socialize with the animals. Many organizations also need help with events and fundraising campaigns.

40. Making enrichment items 

Shelters always need enrichment items like beds, toys, and blankets. School and community groups can make or purchase these items or collect donations from community members and drop them off at local shelters.

Real World Case Study

#YesSheCanCampaign addresses the need to prepare young people for college readiness and career development support. Zaniya Lewis founded a nonprofit that has raised money to help over 3,000 US students already.

As part of a military family, she faced many hardships in applying for college and finding enough money to attend full-time. Her #YesSheCanCampaign has held continuous peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns to limit these difficulties for other kids. Students who intern with the organization learn how to write grants and participate in day-to-day operations.

Zaniya switched from GoFundMe to Zeffy because of the 100% free fundraising services. Today, #YesSheCanCampaign has raised over $100,000 in monetary donations and grants.

10 Steps for Organizing Successful Community Service Projects 

1. identify a cause.

Community service project ideas must address a specific need. Whether that's homelessness, job training, or support for the animals, you must be as detailed as possible to make it easy to transition to the next step.

2. Set Goals

Setting goals for your community service project relies on a solid understanding of your community's needs and an idea of how you can affect measurable change. Once again, be specific and look at ways to make a sustainable long-term change.

3. Form a Team

Never try to do this alone. Most community service project ideas require a team. The stronger the team, the more likely you are to succeed. Find team members with gifts and access to resources outside your own, and allow each member to be responsible for part of the project.

4. Create a Plan

You must have a plan for your community service project, but it must also be flexible and adaptable to the many changes that will come your way. Create a SMART plan with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound steps and goals.

5. Find Resources

Once you have your plan, it's time to find enough resources to carry it out. This is where your team comes in. Split responsibilities equally around and encourage team members to use personal and professional relationships whenever possible.

Start with small asks, but work towards building long-lasting partnerships with business and community members. Fiscal sponsors, like your local arts commission, can provide financial and administrative support.

6. Promote and Raise Awareness

Promoting your event is crucial. Social media and peer-to-peer campaigns can help spread the word and raise funds. Collaborations with other local organizations and businesses can help you too. Ask them to house your event and spread the word to their employees and customers in exchange for marketing opportunities with your community.

7. Train and Prepare Your Team

Before your community event or volunteer activity, you must prepare your team. Ensure you have quality speakers, mentors, and leaders to help run the event. Have enough volunteers in case something changes at the last minute.

8. Hold the Event or Activity

Community service projects can be one-day, annual, or regular events. Each type has different requirements, but with a trained team and detailed plans, you'll have a successful event and happy attendees. Check out how to a organize a fundraising event here .

9. Evaluate and Reflect

After your project, it's time to evaluate what went well and where things can improve. Be honest with yourself, and don't shy away from difficult conversations. Take and add notes to your database so you can use them later. Also, send a survey to project participants via email or social media to ask for their opinions.

10. Thank All Volunteers and Supporters

Finally, remember to thank all donors , team members, volunteers, sponsors and event attendees. This was a group effort, and everyone should be proud of the difference they made!

Ready to Host Your Next Fundraiser? 

Community service projects take collaboration and solid relationships to make a difference.

As you plan to make a difference in your community, look for a team to support your efforts and bring their own skills and expertise. Zeffy has partnered with over 10,000 nonprofit organizations to help with fundraising events and campaigns. ‍

Sign up and start fundraising for free today!

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73 Community Service Project Ideas

Helping the place you love, doing the things you love..

Updated: March 15, 2022

Community service is exactly what it sounds like: services that you do to benefit your community. If that sounds a little broad, it’s because it is -- community service can take a lot of different forms since there’s SO much you can do to help folks out in your area.

But that might leave you wondering where to start. (Spoiler alert: this is where you start!) We’ve put together a list of community service project ideas, organized by what you’ll be doing. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. often spoke of a Beloved Community–-one that requires acts of service based on justice and equal opportunities.

Whether that’s collecting, teaching, volunteering, or something else, you should be able to find something to inspire you to get out there and do .

Collect and Donate Things for Your Community:

If you look around your community, you’ll probably find at least a few places that accept donations -- like food pantries, family shelters, and schools, just to name a few. Here’s a super comprehensive guide on running your own donation drive , and here are some places that accept donations .

• Collect and donate school supplies.
• Collect and donate backpacks.
• Collect grocery coupons for local food pantries to help them with costs.
• Collect and donate non-perishable food items.
• Collect unused makeup to donate to domestic violence shelters.
• Collect Halloween candy to send to deployed military service members who can’t be home to celebrate.
• Collect and donate hygiene products, including period products.
• Donate or recycle unwanted clothes and textiles to support vulnerable populations and protect the planet.
• Collect stuffed animals.
• Collect SAT books and donate them to a library.

Five Campaigns to Inspire Positive Change!

Do Things for Your Community:

Some of these take a few minutes, and others a bit longer, but they all help out in some way. Especially try pitching in to do tasks for neighbors who can’t do them themselves, like folks who are ill, elderly, or busy with work or childcare.

• Walk kids home from school.
• Rake leaves for an elderly neighbor.
• Mow your neighbor’s lawn.
• Offer dog-walking services.
• Clean up cigarette butts on the ground.
• If you know another language, be a translator at parent-teacher conferences.
• Babysit during PTA meetings.
• Foster a shelter animal.
• Take and donate photos during community events.
• Donate blood (if you’re at least 17, or 16 with parental consent).
• Contact your reps about local issues.
• Share mental health resources with your community.

Teach Things to Your Community:

We’ve all got things that we’re good at, so why not share those skills with others? If teaching feels a little intimidating at first, try using these tips for teaching anything to anyone .

• Help kids with their homework.
• Teach underclassmen safe social media practices.
• Give free music lessons.
• Coach a youth sports team.
• Educate beachgoers about sustainability.
• Teach adults in your life internet skills.
• Give a seminar on driving safety.
• Teach CPR (after getting certified).
• Help English language learners practice with conversation.
• Teach people how to register to vote.

Fix Things in Your Community:

If you see a problem in your community, consider doing something about it! Sometimes the best service we can do the places we love is to take care of them.

• Start a little, free library.
• Place campfire safety plaques near campsites.
• Clean up your local park.
• Beautify your area with seed bombs.
• Help a neighbor or community org paint fence or building.
• Spruce up a run-down playground.
• Help your neighbors with repairs.
• Offer to patch up clothes and stuffed toys.
• Organize books at the library.
• Give IT help to local adults.

Host Things in Your Community:

Here’s your chance to flex your event-planning muscles and put on something that will bring folks together. After all, the only thing better than community service is doing it with friends.

• Host a bake sale.
• Host a clothing swap.
• Host a holiday meal.
• Host a competitive book drive.
• Host activities for kids in hospitals.
• Host a dog wash.
• Host an immunization clinic.
• Host a river clean-up.
• Host a gardening party.
• Host a study group.
• Publicly host and share your creativity to help uplift and revitalize your community.

Make Things For Your Community:

There’s something special about receiving a handmade gift, and we’re sure there are plenty of people and places that would really appreciate it. Make and send items to folks at elderly care facilities, family shelters, or hospitals to make their days a little brighter.

• Knit scarves or hats for families in shelters.
• Bake cookies and snacks for food pantries.
• Write letters to seniors in care facilities.
• Make quilts or blankets for kids in hospitals.
• Build birdhouses for your neighbors.
• Make Ramadan or Eid cards for your local mosque.
• Design a community mural.
• Put together first aid kits for local shelters.
• Make birthday cards for kids in homeless shelters.
• Produce a community newsletter.

Volunteer For Things in Your Community:

The cool thing about volunteering is that you can do it just about anywhere ( even online !), so hopefully this gets you thinking. For more inspiration, we’ve got a few other places you can volunteer and a bunch of volunteer opportunities with DoSomething.org .

• Volunteer at your local library.
• Volunteer to chaperone a field trip.
• Volunteer with a local nonprofit.
• Volunteer at an animal shelter.
• Volunteer at a community center.
• Volunteer as a lifeguard.
• Volunteer to be a crossing guard.
• Volunteer to do social media for a local org.
• Volunteer to help set up a community event.
• Volunteer at a food pantry.

Our Five Campaigns to Help Inspire Long Lasting Change in Your Community.

Make a difference in your community and add your vision to the future of our democracy

Tips on Starting a Community Service Project

What’s your issue.

Look through your local paper or talk with friends about a couple of the most important needs facing your neighborhood or community. Write these down along with three things that you can do as an individual or group to help. Better yet, hold a meeting with some of your friends and discuss concerns/issues facing your community.

What can you use?

We all have many resources and skills that we can lend to solving a community problem; we just need to identify them. Write down three to six sentences about what resources, skills, or assets (such as other groups, programs, funders, volunteers, etc.) your group brings to the project or that exist in the community to help combat the selected problem.

What do you want to achieve?

Planning a project requires developing a structure that helps organizers define their vision, mission, goals, and strategies. Strategic planning enables young people to “See It”, “Believe it”, and “Build it” (see steps below).

• First give your project a name.
• See It-Mission : Write one sentence that describes what your group’s long term goal or purpose is in meeting this need. A mission should be a concise statement that reflects what, why and how your group does its work.
• Believe It-Vision : A vision statement provides a clear description of what success looks like for your project. Complete the following sentence with the ideal vision you have for your community related to this issue: “(Name of group) is working toward the day when… (describe the change you wish to see in your community)”.
• Build It : Define your short-term objectives and describe the specific tasks that you will need to accomplish to achieve the objective. (An objective is a specific time-based measurable goal that you work towards.) Also, be sure to write down the name of the contact person for each task and your deadline for completing the task.

What do you need?

Set up a chart: here are suggestions on what to include:

Who will support you?

Make a list of the top groups and sources for you to contact to mobilize the necessary cash or in-kind (donated supplies) resources. Be sure to add as many possible sources as you can think of to help you in meeting your funding goals.

Fundraising plan

Set up a chart using the following headings (an example has been provided):

Roles and responsibilities

Make a list of who in your group is in charge of what areas of project coordination. In addition, list some adult allies that can serve as advisors to your project. (See example below.)

Generating publicity and buzz

Make a list of the top contacts at different radio, TV, and newspapers/magazines in your community. Be sure to identify the various editors (City Editor, Assignment Editor, Feature Editor, Photo Editor, Editorial Page Editor, etc) as well as their deadlines. (See example below.)

Mobilizing community support

Publicize, Advertise, Mobilize. Get the community interested in your event by creating flyers, posters, etc. and soliciting their help in making your project happen. Recruitment can happen through handing out leaflets, postering in high visibility areas, and word of mouth.

Are you making a difference?

• Create your list of measurable “process” and “impact” indicators related to your goals as well as how and when they will be measured
• Defining Process indicators: A “process indicator” is a measure of something that you do as part of achieving your goal.
• Defining Impact indicators: An “impact indicator” is a measure of what about the situation or condition has changed.

Reflecting on what you did

It is important to talk about and reflect upon our service experience in order to learn lessons that will make our work even stronger. Create a list of reflection questions and ways that the reflection will be carried out.

Celebrating and recognizing your efforts

List the steps you will take to celebrate your project and who is responsible for each part.

Congratulations!

You’ve completed your project plan. You’re on your way to helping change your community.

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Community Service Environmental Project Ideas for Students and Educators

Want to help your local community and environment? Then donate your time to a community service project.  Learn more about what service learning is and see sample projects below. 

Healthy Watershed Projects in Your Area Learn about what groups in your area are doing to protect watersheds, and find out how you can help.

GLOBE: Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment This site is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment.

Service-Learning Education Beyond the Classroom  (2002) (PDF 934K, 32 pp) Need ideas for activities? This on-line booklet highlights environmental projects done by students throughout the country. You'll find ideas for students of all ages!

Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools  (PDF, 44 pp) EPA's Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools helps your school and school district reduce the amount of waste you generate. You'll learn how to start a waste reduction program or expand an existing one. The guide will show you how your program can benefit your school, your community, and the environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling your waste.

Volunteer for Change: A Guide for Environmental Community Service  (PDF 567K, 24 pp) This guide to environmental community service features the ABCs of volunteering plus projects on reuse, recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste. Voluntarios para el Cambio: Una Guía para el Servicio Comunitario Ambiental   (PDF 577K, 23 pp) This guide to environmental community service features the ABCs of volunteering plus projects on reuse, recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste.

Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Find out how to start a water monitoring program in your area. Explore water quality monitoring methods as well as links to national water monitoring sites.

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130 Examples of Community Service Projects in 2024

May 16, 2024

Community service projects can look great on college applications. But the difference between a worthwhile community service project and a flimsy excuse to check a box is not only vast but easily recognizable by college admissions officers. Before you start adding new commitments to your schedule, take some time to think about what areas you’re most interested in, whether that’s working with children, cleaning up local trails, coaching youth sports, etc. Then, explore which community service projects exist (or might be possible) in your area. Hoping for some inspiration? Our list of 130 community service examples and ideas for high school students will get you started.

What makes community service projects worthwhile?

Not to go all The Bachelor on you, but…are you here for the right reasons?

Here’s what we mean. If you’re a high school junior or senior, then nearly everything leading up to this point in your life has involved self-betterment. Anything from geometry class to football practice to choir will have focused on making you a mature thinker, a talented athlete, a star harmonizer or soloist, etc. Community service, on the other hand, is not self-focused. It aims to help the community, at the expense of your own time, without offering any compensation. Accordingly, the needs of whichever organization you’re assisting should be front and center, meaning that the tasks you’re involved in (at least to start) may not be what you initially envisioned.

To put it plainly, what makes a community service project “worthwhile” depends primarily on its importance to others. Still, that doesn’t mean that community service projects can’t contribute to your own learning, or feel rewarding. In fact, you should pick something you’ll enjoy doing because having a genuine interest in the project will allow you to offer more creative ideas and make stronger connections with others.

How should I choose a project?

Choosing community service projects that relate to your interests will help you gain new skills and learn more about a subject in a “real world” context. These projects can allow you to meet people you wouldn’t have met otherwise. Even if you don’t make new best friends, you’ll certainly form ‘weak-tie’ friendships , which research shows help increase an individual’s overall happiness and sense of belonging. By networking and expanding your list of contacts, you’ll also learn about jobs and opportunities in the field. Your community service project may even teach you something new about altruism, and the joy that comes from actively making the community a better place.

Moreover, choosing a project or organization that relates to your interests will make it more likely that you’ll stay involved over a longer period of time, which is what will allow you to truly get to know the needs of the organization and perhaps even organize one or two of your own original initiatives. You don’t have to do anything groundbreaking in your first few weeks or months of service—aim to start small and build your impact over time.

Do community service projects strengthen my college application?

In college, your professors will expand your education by moving away from a model of learning for self-betterment and toward a vision of communal and global betterment. Ultimately, educators hope to form students into individual thinkers, doers, and leaders who will harness their talents to improve the lives of others. For this reason, community service projects strengthen your application by showing admissions officers that you already care about your impact on the wider world. It will send a signal that you are a student they’d like to teach—and have as part of their campus community.

Note: a few hours of community service here and there likely won’t do much to move the needle for an admissions committee or adequately demonstrate your community involvement. We’re talking hours, weeks, months, and even years of commitment.

How should I reach out to organizations?

Many organizations accept free help if the offer presents itself. Yet some don’t respond to messages, or call you back promptly. This isn’t because they’re ghosting you—many nonprofits and community organizations are severely short-staffed or may even have a mostly volunteer-based staff, both of which make it difficult to keep up with emails and phone messages. You can also try reaching out on social media.

If a second follow-up doesn’t elicit any response, you may try doing an old-fashioned drop-in. Bring a resume, if you have one, and check online for the organization’s operating hours.

If your initial queries work and you’re asked to come in for an informational meeting or interview, make sure to arrive on time and act responsibly. Be both dependable and flexible. Nonprofits and community organizations accomplish serious work, and ought to be taken seriously. Furthermore, do keep your own safety in mind and make sure you’re comfortable with the level of supervision that you will (or won’t) have.

Finally, go with an open mind! You could even consider going with a friend, so long as they also register or sign up properly. Bringing a buddy with similar interests can work as a boost for both the project (which will benefit from more helping hands) and yourself (if you’re nervous about trying something new).

130 Examples of Community Service Projects for High School Students

As you read through the following list, eliminate the ideas that don’t appeal to you, as well as ones that aren’t relevant to your community. Take note of the ideas that sound promising.

Community Service Examples: Youth & Education

• Tutor younger students in an after-school program.
• Volunteer at a local daycare or preschool.
• Volunteer at a summer camp.
• Read stories and articles to someone who is visually impaired.
• Join and volunteer at one of these literacy organizations .
• Volunteer at your local library, reading to school groups and re-shelving books.
• Give free music lessons to kids in your neighborhood.
• Sponsor a student from a foreign country through an educational exchange program.
• Train to volunteer as a teen crisis counselor.
• Advocate for more playgrounds in the community.
• Donate textbooks to a school you didn’t attend.
• Tutor and teach English to ESL students.
• Teach a course on computer literacy to students without access to computers.
• Start or join a buddy program that pairs high school and elementary students.
• Start a coding or programming club for elementary or middle school students.

Community Service Project Ideas: Environment

• Host a clean-up of your local park or hiking trail.
• Join and work at a community garden.
• Create a composting center in your neighborhood, and host how-to workshops.
• Create a Christmas tree recycling program.
• Join a tree-planting organization working to reduce greenhouse gases.
• Organize a recycling and composting workshop to teach upcycling habits.
• Help maintain the walking trails in local and national parks.
• Host a clean-up of a nearby river, lake, or beach.
• Create a community pledge to boycott the consumption and use of toxic products.
• Organize a carpooling network to reduce car emissions.
• Join an organization that plants and protects endemic species.
• Advocate for more bike lanes and improved public transport.
• Volunteer at a nature center to teach visitors about the local environment.
• Volunteer at a bird sanctuary.
• Host a workshop on how to recycle and donate batteries and electronics.
• Volunteer at a botanical garden.
• Organize and lead nature walks.
• Organize a group to plant flowers and seeds in bare public spaces.

Service Project Ideas: Food & Shelter

• Cook and distribute food at a soup kitchen.
• Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity .
• Babysit (for free) for a neighborhood family in need.
• Prepare home-cooked meals for the residents of a local homeless shelter.
• Help organize and sort drop-offs at Goodwill and other donation centers.
• Babysit children while their parents look for jobs.
• Visit, entertain, and tutor children in a homeless shelter.
• Set up a free food stand in a city food desert.
• Host a farm-to-table cooking class for youth.

Community Service Project Ideas: Seniors

• Volunteer at a nursing home; converse, play games, and read with residents.
• Help drive seniors to doctor’s appointments.
• Check-in on elderly neighbors, bringing groceries and medication.
• In extreme weather, check that elderly neighbors have functioning heaters, fans, etc.
• Teach computer skills to the elderly. Help them avoid computer viruses and spam.
• Help an elderly neighbor maintain their yard or garden. Rake leaves, pull weeds, plant flowers, shovel snow.
• Help an elderly neighbor clean their house.
• Cook with an elderly neighbor, or bring over homemade treats.
• Participate in a holiday meal for senior citizens.
• Pick a senior buddy and keep in touch through letters or email.
• Organize an event or series of events at a senior center, such as small music concerts, a letter-writing initiative, etc.

Community Service Examples: Animals

• Volunteer at an animal shelter and care for cats, rabbits, dogs, and guinea pigs.
• Organize a community bird feeder workshop.
• Host a workshop on how to install flowering planters for pollinators.
• Foster animals that shelters can’t accept.
• Organize a group committed to feeding, neutering, and monitoring strays.
• Join a group that educates the public on local wild animals.

Projects: Health & Wellness

• Get involved in your local Red Cross .
• Help organize a community blood drive.
• Volunteer with a local health clinic to immunize children from diseases.
• Assist your local hospital by delivering gifts, clothes, and meals to patients.
• Knit or crochet blankets for children in the hospital.
• Spearhead an initiative to make free period products available in your school’s bathrooms.
• Organize free public outdoor exercise and meditation classes.

Community Service Projects: Faith

• Participate as a counselor or volunteer in a religious camp.
• Volunteer as a reader in a spiritual center.
• Volunteer at faith-based events at your church, mosque, or synagogue.
• Organize rides to services for older community members.
• Organize a faith-based service group at your school.
• Help teach Sunday School or volunteer with childcare during services.

Project Examples: Culture, Community, and Civil Duty

• Volunteer at your local archives or folklife center.
• Volunteer at a voting center and help register people to vote.
• Join a group repairing and renovating public spaces.
• Repaint community fences, park benches, bus stops, etc. (with permission).
• Think about how you could make a public space more accessible, useful, or clean—perhaps adding a handicapped ramp, recycling bins, etc.
• Campaign for new playground equipment.
• Participate in or help organize a community play, variety show, or art show.
• Host or participate in a community concert.
• Create or join a group to clean up public roadways/walkways (parking lots, roads, boardwalks, etc.).
• Create a neighborhood program to welcome and help migrant families.
• Petition your town to build more drinking fountains and public restrooms.
• Volunteer to clean up (and recycle) after a community event.
• Clean up after holiday festivals and parades.
• Clean up after a natural disaster.
• Volunteer at a local museum by giving tours.
• Volunteer for a political campaign, helping with events or door-knocking.
• Host a cultural night at your school or in your community.
• Offer to paint original artwork or a mural on a building or in a public space.
• Organize an event, rally, or protest in support of a cause you believe in, like reproductive or LGBTQ+ rights.

Community Service Examples: Safety

• Take a junior lifeguarding course and volunteer at your local pool, lake, or beach.
• Host self-defense workshops.
• Organize drug-free workshops and awareness campaigns.
• Volunteer for a crisis hotline, bringing help to people in emergencies.
• Volunteer as a crosswalk monitor for your nearby elementary school.
• Advocate for a safety-related cause, such as gun violence or better lighting in public parks.

Community Service Project Ideas: Sports

• Coach or assist a community or youth sports team.
• Help out at the refreshment and first-aid stands of local races.
• Organize pick-up games for popular sports in your community.
• Run (or walk, or skip…) in a charity race.
• Volunteer at the nearest local Special Olympics.
• Volunteer to run an after-school movement-based club at your local middle or elementary school, such as jogging or yoga.
• Organize a running, walking, or hiking group in your area.

Service Project Ideas: Collections

• Donate old and unused toys to charity drives.
• Collect clothes, makeup, and perfume to donate to a women’s center.
• Create collections of hygiene and/or period products to donate to shelters.
• Host a winter clothes drive and give donations to a homeless shelter or families in need.
• Collect textbooks for schools, libraries, and shelters.
• Donate books to your local used book store and libraries.
• Collect working electronics for people in homeless shelters.
• Collect sports gear and shoes to donate to community sports programs.
• Donate canned food and non-perishables to a food bank.
• Donate blankets, clothes, and sleeping bags to a homeless shelter.
• Collect ground coffee to donate to a shelter—many go through hundreds of cups per day!
• Collect eyeglasses for donation.
• Collect puzzles and games for senior centers or after-school care organizations.

Project Ideas: Online/Virtual

• Become an online tutor in your favorite subject.
• Provide virtual healthcare assistance through organizations like Be My Eyes or the Red Cross .
• Volunteer to start or run social media accounts for a local nonprofit or organization.
• Volunteer in online translation services.
• Volunteer for a political campaign, making calls or sending emails from home.
• Ask local organizations or agencies if they have any computing, programming, or graphic design projects that they need assistance with.
• Develop a free app that would assist your school or community with an area of need.

Community Service Project Ideas: Ways to Raise Money for Your Preferred Charity

• Ask family and friends for charity donations as birthday presents.
• Set up a neighborhood car wash or garage sale, with all profits going to charity.
• Sign up as part of a road race team for a particular charity or organization, and ask family and friends to sponsor you.
• Host a bake sale.
• Host a silent auction, trivia night, or fashion show.
• Ask local businesses if they’d be willing to match any donations you receive.

Once you’ve made your list of community service ideas, do a little digging to see which opportunities exist in your community. This will narrow down your list some more. Then, contact one or two organizations, and mention your availability.

If you plan to organize or host a community service project for others, you may want to consider getting an adult chaperone on board who can handle crisis management situations. From there, you’ll need to contact relevant city, town, and/or school officials as well as charities you wish to collaborate with. Consider how long the project will take, the main goals, how many volunteers you’ll need, whether you’ll need to fundraise, and how you’ll promote the community service project.

Looking for additional volunteer or extracurricular-related resources? You may consider checking out the following:

• Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
• The Best Extracurricular Activities for College
• Online/Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
• 60 Senior Project Ideas
• Complete List of Extracurricular Activities 
• How to Start Your Own Extracurricular Club
• Extracurricular Activities You Can Do From Home
• No Extracurriculars for College? Follow These Steps
• High School Success

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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101+ Best Community Service Project Ideas For High School

September 6, 2024

Emmy Williamson

Community service isn’t just about fulfilling school requirements or earning volunteer hours; it’s a great way for high school students to explore their interests, learn new things, and make a positive impact in their communities. It’s a chance to go beyond the classroom and do something meaningful.

In this article, we’ve gathered over 101 community service project ideas specifically for high school students. Whether you’re interested in helping the environment, supporting education, or assisting with social causes, there’s something here for you. Getting involved in these projects can help you grow, find new interests, and make a real difference. Check out these ideas and start making a positive impact today!

Survey Results: Challenges in Choosing the Right Project Idea

We recently polled 178 people and noticed that many of them failed to identify the best project concept. The majority of participants indicated they needed help deciding on a project.

Table of Contents

Community Service Project Ideas and Their Goals

Community Service Project Ideas are ways to help out in your community through various activities. These include organizing a food drive, tutoring kids, cleaning up a park, or supporting local charities. The main goals are to meet community needs, encourage caring for others, and, most importantly, provide opportunities for personal growth and learning.

Goals of Community Service Projects:

• Address Community Needs: Participating in community service projects can fix problems, improve conditions where you live and even make a positive impact on a global scale.
• Promote Caring for Others: Encourage people to look out for and help others.
• Help Personal Growth: Offer chances to learn new skills and gain experience.

Benefits for Students

Getting involved in community service has several benefits for high school students:

• Personal Growth: Students learn important skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. They also gain confidence and feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment from their achievements in community service projects.
• Better Academics: Skills learned from volunteering, such as time management and critical thinking, can help improve study habits and grades.
• Career Exploration: Volunteering helps students explore different interests and career options, making it easier to decide on future paths.
• Stronger College Applications: Community service looks great on college applications. It shows that students are dedicated to helping others, which can make them stand out to admissions officers.
• Making Connections: Volunteering allows students to meet new people and build relationships with mentors, and community leaders can provide greater opportunities and assistance. 

101+ Community Service Project Ideas For High School

Here are the 101+ Community Service Project Ideas For High School Students assisting students in discovering meaningful ways to give back to their communities.

Environmental Projects

• Neighborhood Clean-Up: Gather a group to pick up litter in your neighborhood.
• Tree Planting Day: Partner with local organizations to plant trees in your area.
• Community Garden: Start and care for a garden where community members can grow vegetables or flowers.
• Recycling Drive: Set up a recycling program at your school or in your community.
• Park or Beach Clean-Up: Organize regular events to clean up local parks or beaches.
• Build Bird Feeders: Create and install bird feeders in parks to support local wildlife.
• Eco-Friendly Workshops: Teach your community how to live more sustainably and reduce waste.
• Composting Programs: Set up a composting system for schools or community centers to reduce food waste.
• Green Roof Projects: Help create or maintain green roofs for local buildings to improve air quality.
• Water Conservation Campaign: Educate people on ways to save water and reduce consumption.

Educational Initiatives

• Tutoring Program: Offer free tutoring to younger students in subjects you’re good at.
• Book Drive: Collect and donate books to underserved schools and libraries.
• Homework Club: Start a group to help students with their homework after school.
• Study Skills Workshops: Host workshops to teach better study habits and techniques.
• Library Helpers: Volunteer to organize and manage books at your local library.
• Create Educational Videos: Make and share videos on important subjects to help others learn.
• Summer Reading Program: Organize a reading program to encourage kids to read during summer break.
• Science Fair Mentoring: Guide students as they prepare for science fairs.
• Math Olympiad Prep: Help students get ready for math competitions with extra practice.
• Coding Camps: Run workshops to teach basic coding and programming skills.

Health and Wellness

• Healthy Eating Workshops: Show people how to cook nutritious meals and make healthy food choices.
• Fitness Classes: Offer free exercise classes or sports clinics for kids in your community.
• Mental Health Awareness: Organize events to increase awareness and support for mental health issues.
• Blood Donation Drive: Partner with a local blood bank to host a blood donation event.
• Senior Fitness: Plan fitness activities tailored to the needs of older adults.
• Health Fair: Set up a fair with free health screenings and wellness information.
• First Aid Training: Provide workshops to teach basic first aid and CPR skills.
• Yoga Classes: Offer free yoga sessions to promote both physical and mental well-being.
• Nutrition Counseling: Advice on healthy eating and meal planning.
• Wellness Challenges: Create and run challenges that encourage healthy habits and lifestyles.

Social Services

• Homeless Shelter Volunteering: Help out at shelters or food banks that support people experiencing homelessness.
• Clothing Drive: Collect and distribute clothing to people in need.
• Holiday Meal Service: Serve meals at shelters or community centers during the holidays.
• Care Packages: Put together care packages, including vital items, and distribute them to those in need. 
• Senior Companion Program: Spend time with elderly residents at nursing homes or senior centers.
• Pet Adoption Event: Help animals find homes by organizing or volunteering at adoption events.
• Community Fair: Plan a fair with activities and resources for local families.
• Support for Refugees: Assist refugee families with integration and support services.
• Family Counseling: Provide support and resources for families experiencing difficulties.
• Disaster Relief: Participate in or organize relief efforts for communities affected by disasters.

Cultural and Artistic Projects

• Art Classes for Kids: Offer art lessons or workshops for children.
• Local Talent Show: Host a talent show to give local performers a chance to shine.
• Community Mural: Create a mural to beautify a public space in your area.
• Cultural Festival: Organize a festival to celebrate and share local cultures and traditions.
• Public Art Installation: Design and set up art installations in public spaces to enhance your community.
• Photography Project: Document and share stories from your community through photography.
• Theater Production: Produce and perform a play that highlights important community issues.
• Music Workshops: Teach music skills and host concerts to showcase local talent.
• Dance Classes: Offer dance lessons for different age groups and skill levels.
• Creative Writing Contests: Organize writing contests and publish the best entries.

Technology and Innovation

• Tech Help Sessions: Provide tech support and training for seniors or those unfamiliar with technology.
• Coding Workshops: Teach basic coding skills to younger students.
• Website Creation: Design and build websites for local non-profits or community groups.
• Innovation Challenges: Host challenges where people come up with creative solutions to local problems.
• Digital Literacy Classes: Offer classes on internet safety and digital skills.
• Tech Recycling Drive: Collect and responsibly recycle old electronics.
• 3D Printing Projects: Use 3D printers to create useful items for local organizations.
• App Development: Develop apps that address community needs or problems.
• Virtual Reality Experiences: Create VR experiences to educate and engage people.
• Smart Home Workshops: Teach people how to use smart home technology effectively.

Civic Engagement

• Voter Registration Drive: Help community members register to vote.
• Local Government Tours: Organize tours to show how local government functions.
• Community Forums: Host meetings to discuss and solve local issues.
• Public Speaking Workshops: Provide training to improve public speaking and advocacy skills.
• Civic Education Classes: Offer classes on civic responsibilities and how government works.
• Neighborhood Watch: Start or support a program to enhance neighborhood safety.
• Advocacy Campaigns: Lead campaigns to address important local or national issues.
• Petition Drives: Organize petitions to support or oppose local policies.
• Town Hall Meetings: Host meetings where community members can discuss issues and ideas.
• Local History Projects: Research and present the history of your town or city.

Animal Welfare

• Animal Shelter Volunteering: Volunteer at shelters or rescue organizations that help animals.
• Pet Food Drive: Collect and donate pet food to animal shelters.
• Foster Animals: Provide temporary homes for pets until they find permanent families.
• Pet Training Workshops: Offer training sessions for pet owners to improve their pets’ behavior.
• Animal Awareness Events: Organize events to promote animal welfare and adoption.
• Wildlife Rescue: Help organizations that rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife.
• Support for Local Farms: Assist local farms with animal care and farm activities.
• Pet Adoption Campaigns: Run campaigns to encourage pet adoption.
• Animal Enrichment Projects: Create toys and activities to keep shelter animals engaged and happy.
• Veterinary Assistance: Volunteer to help veterinarians with animal care tasks.

Community Improvement

• Public Space Beautification: Work on projects to clean and enhance local public spaces.
• Historic Site Preservation: Volunteer to help maintain and preserve historic sites.
• Neighborhood Improvement Projects: Help with projects that improve local streets and public areas.
• Support for Local Businesses: Promote small businesses through community events and activities.
• Emergency Preparedness Workshops: Educate people on how to prepare for emergencies and stay safe.
• Community Mapping: Create maps that highlight local resources and services.
• Urban Farming: Support or develop urban farming initiatives to grow food in city areas.
• Infrastructure Projects: Assist with projects that improve local infrastructure, like roads and bridges.
• Public Transportation Advocacy: Work to improve or advocate for better public transportation options.
• Green Spaces Creation: Help create and maintain green spaces in urban areas.

International and Global Initiatives

• Global Fundraising Events: Organize events to raise money for international causes.
• Pen Pal Program: Start a program where you exchange letters with students from other countries.
• Global Awareness Campaigns: Raise awareness about international issues like poverty and climate change.
• International Volunteer Projects: Participate in or support volunteer projects in other countries.
• Cultural Exchange Programs: Facilitate programs that promote understanding between different cultures.
• Support for Refugees: Assist with services that help refugees settle into new communities.
• Global Education Workshops: Provide information on global issues and international cultures.
• Emergency Relief Campaigns: Organize relief efforts for international disasters and crises.
• International Literacy Projects: Support literacy programs in developing regions.
• World Health Initiatives: Contribute to global health campaigns and vaccination efforts.

Family and Youth Support

• Parenting Workshops: Offer workshops to help parents with parenting skills and resources.
• Youth Mentoring: Provide guidance and support to younger students.
• Family Activity Days: Plan fun activities for families to enjoy together.
• Support Groups: Organize groups to help youth facing specific challenges.
• Homework Help Centers: Set up centers where students can get help with their schoolwork.

How to Make Your Community Service Project a Success

Getting your community service project off the ground is exciting and rewarding. Here’s a simple, friendly guide to help you through the process:

1. Define Your Project

• Find the Need: Start by figuring out what problem or need your project will address. This could be something you’ve noticed in the community or heard from others.
• Set Goals: Decide what you want to accomplish. Make sure your goals are clear realistic, and have a timeline (SMART).

2. Plan Your Project

• Make a Plan: Outline the steps you need to take to complete your project. Include deadlines, what you need, and important milestones.
• Budget: Estimate how much money you’ll need and how you’ll raise it. If necessary, consider donations, sponsorships, or grants.
• Gather Resources: Gather the materials, tools, and people you need. You should contact local businesses, community groups, or volunteers.

3. Recruit Volunteers

• Build Your Team: Find people who are excited about your project. Assign tasks based on what each person is good at.
• Train Your Team: Make sure everyone understands their roles and the project goals. Offer training if necessary.

4. Promote Your Project

• Spread the Word: Use social media, flyers, local newspapers, and community events to let people know about your project and how they can get involved.
• Engage with the Community: Host meetings or workshops to explain your project and encourage people to join.

5. Run the Project

• Follow the Plan: Implement your project according to your plan. Track progress and make adjustments as needed to handle any issues.
• Stay in Touch: Communicate openly with your team and volunteers to ensure everything is running smoothly and address any problems quickly.

6. Reflect and Evaluate

• Check Your Success: See if you’ve met your goals and get feedback from everyone involved.
• Document and Share: Record what went well and what could be improved. Share your findings with your team and the community.

7. Celebrate and Recognize

• Show Appreciation: Thank everyone who helped out, and celebrate your successes. It’s a great way to boost morale and encourage future involvement.
• Share Your Success: Tell others about the positive impact of your project through stories or testimonials.

8. Plan for the Future

• Think Long-Term: If your project has been successful, consider how you can continue or expand it. Consider making it a regular event or integrating it into existing programs.
• Learn and Improve: Use the insights you’ve gained to make your future projects even better.

Essential Resources to Boost Your Community Service Project Success

Here are some simple resources to help you with your community service project:

1. Community Organizations and Nonprofits

• Local Nonprofits: Contact nearby nonprofit groups for support and ideas. They might help with advice or partnerships.
• Volunteer Centers: Visit local centers that can connect you with volunteers and extra resources.

2. Online Platforms and Tools

• Volunteer Websites: Use websites like VolunteerMatch or Idealist to find volunteers and people interested in helping.
• Project Tools: Organize your work and keep track of tasks with tools like Trello , Asana, or Microsoft Teams.

3. Funding and Grants

• Grants: Search for funding options on sites like Grants.gov or the Foundation Center to find grants for your project.
• Crowdfunding: Try crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter to raise money and support for your project.

4. Training and Workshops

• Workshops: Look for workshops, either locally or online, that offer training in project management and community work.
• Online Courses: Use websites like Coursera or Udemy to find courses that can help you learn new skills.

5. Templates and Guides

• Planning Templates: Find useful templates for planning and budgeting on sites like Smartsheet or Canva.
• Service Guides: For tips on running community service projects, consult guides from organizations like the Points of Light Foundation.

6. Networking and Mentorship

• Professional Groups: Join local business or professional groups to meet mentors who can offer advice and support.
• Mentorship Programs: Look for programs that connect you with mentors who can help you with your project.

7. Feedback and Evaluation Tools

• Surveys: Use tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms to get feedback and assess your project’s progress.
• Evaluation Tools: Use simple tools to measure the success and impact of your project.

These resources can make it easier to plan, run, and assess your community service project, helping you make a bigger difference.

Final Words

Starting a community service project is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference, especially when you have a list of 101+ Community Service Project Ideas for High School to inspire you. With so many creative ideas at your fingertips, you can select the ideal project to match your aims and interests. Set clear objectives, get involved with your community, and use the resources available to you to turn these ideas into reality. 

Enjoy the process, celebrate your achievements, and keep pushing toward meaningful change. Your hard work and creativity will help your community and help you grow personally.

 What are some good examples of community service projects for high school students?

Some ideas include organizing a food drive, tutoring younger students, cleaning up a local park, making care packages for those in need, or volunteering at animal shelters. Pick a project that you’re passionate about, and that addresses a real need in your community.

How can I tell if my community service project is successful?

Measure success by seeing if you achieved your goals and gathering feedback from everyone involved. Look at both concrete results, like the amount of food collected or people helped, and personal stories or comments from those impacted by your project.

Can I do community service projects online?

 Absolutely! Many projects can be done online, like organizing virtual fundraisers, providing online tutoring, or creating digital content for nonprofits. Online projects are a great option if in-person activities aren’t possible.

How do I find funding for my community service project?

Look for grants from local foundations or government programs, and consider crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter. You might also reach out to local businesses for donations or organize your fundraising events.

About the author

Hi, I’m Emmy Williamson! With over 20 years in IT, I’ve enjoyed sharing project ideas and research on my blog to make learning fun and easy.

So, my blogging story started when I met my friend Angelina Robinson. We hit it off and decided to team up. Now, in our 50s, we've made TopExcelTips.com to share what we know with the world. My thing? Making tricky topics simple and exciting.

Come join me on this journey of discovery and learning. Let's see what cool stuff we can find!

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Plan Your Community Service Project

Collaborate with your class using Google Sheets to plan and organize a large-scale project for something you would like to do for your school or community.

Example outcome

Add Project Key Words

17 Community Service Ideas for High School Students

January 9, 2020

17 Meaningful Community Service Ideas

Engaging in volunteering initiatives helps build character, develops empathy and altruism, and supports a bigger cause or group of people. But if you’ve been Googling “community service ideas” in order to find just anything that you think will impress colleges, you’re taking the wrong approach.

Yes, universities look at and appreciate community service experiences, but that shouldn’t be the only reason behind your participation. As a high schooler, you should definitely engage in a community service opportunity that involves a field or group you’re actually invested in and want to actively support. If you’re involved in an initiative or cause that means a lot to you, you’re far more likely to work with diligence and passion rather than feel like it’s something you have to do.

Don’t be afraid to think out of the box when brainstorming community service ideas . To help you navigate through some options and get you started, I’ve outlined suggestions under various categories such as working with children, animals, the environment, neighborhood improvement, and more to inspire community service ideas that resonate with you.  

Community Service Ideas Under Different Categories

Start a mentorship group - If you enjoy mentoring others, especially younger people, working with local schools is an effective way to help those that need guidance at a young age. Ask your own teachers whether you can enlist their help in setting up a local mentoring program because if your future aspirations involve working with children, this is a good place to start. When thinking about community service ideas , working as a mentor allows you to make a positive impact, as well as reflect on how helping the next generation is meaningful to you.

Coach a youth sports team – If you’re an athlete or a sports fan, this is an option that offers both a solid leadership opportunity as well as a way to be involved in community service. Think about which sport you would want to coach. If you already participate in a sport yourself, your choice might be straightforward. This is a way to demonstrate your passion towards the game. If there are little leagues or community tournaments in your area, inquire whether they need a coach for an existing team. If not, you can start your own team with your siblings, neighbors, and friends.

Animals and the Environment

Volunteer at an animal shelter - Many of us have pets that we love, but if you want to take it up a notch and make a difference, consider getting involved with your local animal shelter. Volunteers can participate in a variety of capacities, such as helping clean cages, walking dogs, and feeding the animals. If you’re looking to work in a more logistical manner, you can also help organize adoptions, assist with budgets, and serve on the organization committee for events, depending on where you’re needed. If you’re considering becoming a veterinarian or working with animals in the future, this is a method to test the waters to see if you are on the right path.

Host an Earth Day event – If you’re a prospective environmental studies major or just passionate about climate change, take advantage of Earth Day! Earth Day is an appropriate occasion to raise awareness among your peers on relevant issues. Managing your own event for Earth Day can underscore your interest in the field and help establish a new tradition in your school or community. A project like this requires preparation but does not need to be consistently sustained over the course of a year. But if you do want to commit further, why not form a climate action committee with your friends and organize more frequent events?

Community and Neighborhood Improvement

Start a community garden – A community garden is an initiative that not only builds your collaborative skills, but also benefits your entire neighborhood. Community gardens provide fresh produce, get people actively working, and can give you the chance to get to know your neighbors or classmates. This is also an activity that can make for standout application essays, and colleges may see it as an extracurricular you can carry over to the campus community.

Teach a class at the community center – An effective way to further explore a subject you’re passionate about could be by sharing it with others. Check whether you can teach a course on a topic that interests you at your local community center. Think about what your areas of expertise are, whether in Medieval Literature or in East Asian History, and start building a lesson plan! Teaching others within your community is a good way to connect with those around you. You’re helping them can learn while you get some firsthand experience teaching kids, peers, or adults.

Homeless or Hungry

Volunteer and donate to the local food bank - Food banks are an easy way to get involved with a worthy cause. It is also an activity that you can maintain and develop over a number of years. In assisting others gain access to food, you’re helping those with a low-income budget, as well as connecting with the members who frequent the food bank. Not only do you get to see the difference you’re making first-hand, but you have the chance to work on a team and form strong bonds with the people that you’re able to help. One thing to note is that while this activity is powerful, it’s also very common among students. Think about ways to make a greater impact such as hosting pantry donation parties or collaborating with a larger organization to act as a regular donating partner.

Volunteer with a well-established organization – If you’re a part of an organization such as Habitat for Humanity or Planned Parenthood, you’re helping people and working on a cause you care about through these efforts. But this is common among many students, so aim to have more of a leadership position if you’re involved in such organizations. You must separate your involvement from the many others participating by getting more proactive in your efforts to make a difference. You can do so by starting your own fundraiser under these organizations, creating a new workshop, or even hosting a conference and inviting guest speakers.

Individuals with Special Needs

Set up a buddy program through the special needs program at school - If you prefer one-to-one interaction, a buddy or mentoring program for people with special needs could be a good fit. Create a pairing system to figure out the best matches based on different criteria. This builds your own leadership and communication skills. Start early in your high school years, as sticking with a particular person(s) over a number of years would demonstrate your dedication to this kind of mentorship service, as well as build genuine trust and friendship.

Volunteer with the Special Olympics - If you have an interest in athletics, but also want to get involved in supporting people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, there are many ways to work with the Special Olympics. You can volunteer as a coach, trainer, event organizer, or fundraiser. You’ll get to make a difference at a huge event while working with talented people from all over the world.

Senior Citizens

Host regular game nights at a nursing home - If you love board games, why not gather a group of friends, your favorite selection of Scrabble, Monopoly, or Taboo, and work with your local nursing home. Bringing entertainment and fun to the elderly can be a rewarding experience on both sides of the coin. You get to bond with the members, as well as play your favorite game. Organizing one event also opens the door to finding additional avenues to help within this network, and you could form a long-term partnership with the center.

Help a senior citizen with a project – You might have always been able to connect well with your grandparents and other elderly folks. When you’re in search of community service ideas , consider combining this passion with the field of your choice. You can work with a senior citizen on an artwork, filmmaking initiative, or genealogy project. Ask them if they have a bucket list – or help them make one – and see how many items you can check off from it together!

Crime Reduction and Safety

Get involved in neighborhood protection – If your residential area has been a frequent location for theft or harassment, start a violence protection group or join a neighborhood watch in the community. If you want to work on this on a smaller scale, you can also start a group at your school if it doesn’t already exist. Work with professionals on training members to ensure that your team knows what to do in certain scenarios, and you’ll be well-versed in the necessary safety protocols.

Volunteer at a fire station - Fire departments can help you learn about safety and observe the inner-workings of an important operation. If you’re looking for community service ideas that involve more physical activity, this could fit you very well. Working at the fire station also builds mental stamina and grit. Few students choose this path, so it’s a more unique opportunity. If it is available in your community and you believe you would be a suitable volunteer, go for it!

Participate in a charity walk or run – If you’re looking for community service ideas that are physical but also involve a lower level of commitment, participating in a run that raises money for a good cause might fulfill your needs. If you’re hoping for a deeper commitment, contact the organizers to see how you can be of assistance. Getting involved with the coordination of this activity can help hone your leadership skills - you will have more opportunities to make an impact firsthand.

Ask for charitable donations instead of gifts – While this is a more passive option among community service ideas, donating to a cause of your choice rather than receiving gifts for a birthday or other holiday is a thoughtful way show commitment to a charitable organization of your choice. Or if you want to raise funds for a community project, ask your loved ones to help out. Facebook now has a feature which allows you to fundraise in a way in which you can easily reach out to your friends and family. Take advantage of crowdfunding services such as GoFundMe to let people know more about your initiative.

Volunteer at the local library - If you are passionate about books and reading, taking part in library services can really help out a staff that may need extra hands. You can sort shelves, start story time events for children, organize book drives, and more. You might take it one step further and check to see if any local schools need help with their libraries or if they event want to start one. Expand your own reading list while helping others gain access to books at the same time.

Brainstorm Your Own Idea

If none of our community service ideas resonate with you, start working on your own community initiative. When brainstorming what kind of project or organization you wish to start, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are some causes that you are passionate about?
• What are the topics that interest you the most?
• What do you feel like your community lacks?
• What kind of role do you wish to play in the initiative?
• How many people do you want involved?
• How much money will you need?
• Will this involve a particular location, or can your members engage remotely?

It won’t happen or grow in a day, or even in a week. Think about whether you want to help others and are authentically interested in making a difference. You can start a volunteering committee for a cause that centers pretty much on any important issue.

If you need funds, Crowdfunding is a donation-based site that raises money without obligations to investors for philanthropy through sites such as Fundly, YouCaring, and GoFundMe. You can compare the websites on Crowdfunding and check which platform works the best for you. Any cause can benefit from raising money and awareness, so talk to your friends and family about why you’re carrying out the initiative, who it’s helping, and how their involvement can make a difference.

If you don’t know where to start, Lion's Heart is an organization that curates teen volunteering opportunities. You are able to join any time during the year in a group with other teens in your area or as an individual member and participate in volunteer opportunities. Support your favorite causes, receive opportunities surrounding them, and track your hours as you participate and lead. Finally, you will also be able to share your achievements with a digital portfolio and qualify for awards such as the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Congressional Awards, and other honors.

Participating in community service and volunteer work can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your high school career – and beyond! Colleges appreciate when you’ve stepped up as a leader and taken the time to help your community. But when thinking about community service ideas , what matters the most is that it comes from a heartfelt interest in making a difference.

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Community Service Project

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Students research and propose (present) a community service project. This assignment includes the assignment sheet and the rubric. I had students vote for the best project and we carried it out together as aclass.

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Supporting Critical Reflection in Community-Engaged Learning

Compiled by Kathryn Van Zanen, Engaged Learning Graduate Consultant

Reflection is a critical component of community-engaged courses and programs. Reflection supports meaning-making, and regular reflection activities help students connect their community engagement experience to course or program learning objectives. Studies show that reflection can strengthen critical thinking 1 and enhance student development on measures of civic values and personal growth . 2     Reflection can come in many forms, but it’s most advantageous when it’s ongoing. Continuous, connected, challenging, and contextualized reflection helps students negotiate the stages of community engagement and supports them to prepare for and process their experiences. 3

The resources below offer guidance, examples and further reading around reflection. We would be glad to work with you to incorporate any of these resources into your community-engaged efforts.

• Contact us at  [email protected] or if you have any questions about these resources.
• Use our  Support Request Form  to request a consultation or workshop.  
• Join our  Academic Partner mailing list  to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities!

How can I promote reflection with my students?

• Make reflection a regular– and rewarded– part of your course. You don’t have to grade the quality of students’ reflections, but giving them credit for doing it signals how important reflection is for their learning and your course objectives.
• Give feedback on student reflections, especially at the early stages. Reflection helps you to collect data about your students’ experiences and prompt them to deepen their thinking. Learn more about assessing reflection from Bradley (1995) and IUPUI.
• Reflect in a variety of ways. Invite multiple modes of reflection for students, from text to audio to video to artistic representation, and make time for students to reflect together and with you (Mabry 1998). The Northwest Service Academy Toolkit offers a wide range of possible activities organized by time commitment, while Clemson University organizes activities by the kind of learning they promote.
• Talk to students about why reflection is important. Many of the reflection models and resource lists linked below provide language for talking to students about why reflection matters; modeling reflective practices in your instructor role also underscores their value for your students. What are you learning from community engagement?

Additional Resources

• Peruse excerpts from the instructor manual or use specific reflection prompts that target personal, civic, and academic learning, respectively.
• Brock University’s Center for Pedagogical Innovation has a helpful website that compiles various reflection models (including DEAL) and assignment formats.
• Mine the ORID Model for questions to guide students from observation to integration of new knowledge and perspectives, plus tips for aligning reflection activities with your learning goals.
• Explore how to integrate reflection throughout your course or design a course-specific reflection project . 
• Explore our resources on Assessing Student Learning

What are some examples of reflection activities I can use?

Explore a range of reflection activities that can be used in many different ways, organized from shortest to longest: 

Reflection Guidebook, Santa Monica College This 5-page piece explains the basics of reflection and provides brief descriptions of many different kinds of reflection, as well as tips on what to consider as you determine what fits your course and learning goals.

Reflection toolkit, Northwest Service Academy This toolkit, designed for leaders facilitating reflection for the first time, explains what reflection is and why it’s important, and provides guidance for leading a variety of reflection activities. The activities are categorized by time commitment.

Reflection resources, Clemson University A collection of 28 different reflection activities for instructors, organized by category: reflection activities for prior knowledge (to use before engagement), cognition, metacognition, competency, and personal growth & change. Activities are marked for formative and graded, summative assessment.

Reflection activities: Service-Learning’s not-so-secret weapon , Katie Halcrow This 13-page piece outlines 33 different reflection activities for classroom use, grouped by “Reflection Activities In and Out of Class,” “Rigorous Academic Links,” and “Presenting Culmination of Experience.” The list includes group work, written activities, discussion activities, artwork, and ways to showcase students’ work.

Service-Learning Reflection Journal, Purdue University This student-facing handbook includes an initial assessment scale, pre-service project planning documents, a daily or weekly journal template, a final reflection assignment prompt, and a post-assessment.

International Service-Learning Reflection Journal, Purdue University This handbook, explicitly directed to students studying abroad, includes a pre-entry reflection and assignment, public affairs scale, daily/weekly journal template, reflective paper prompt, re-entry reflection and assignment, and a post-assessment public affairs scale.

What are some articles I can explore for further reading?

Below is a list of peer-reviewed articles about reflection (most recent first) 

Reflective Practice, Campus Compact

An extensive bibliography with links to peer-reviewed research on reflective practice in community-engaged learning.

Richard, D., Keen, C., Hatcher, J.A., and Pease, H. A. (2016). Pathways to Adult Civic Engagement: Benefits of Reflection and Dialogue across Difference in Higher Education Service-Learning Programs . Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 23(1), 60-74.

Drawing from a 30-campus, 1000+ participant dataset, Richard et al. explore the relationship between college engagement experiences and civic outcomes after college. They found that “dialogue with others across difference was the strongest predictor of cultivating civic outcomes after college. In addition, both structured and informal reflection independently contributed to civic outcomes (i.e., civic-mindedness, voluntary action, civic action).”

van Goethem, A., van Hoof, A., Orobio de Castro, B., Van Aken, M., & Hart, D. (2014). The role of reflection in the effects of community service on adolescent development: a meta-analysis. Child development, 85(6), 2114–2130. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12274

This meta-analysis of 49 studies finds again that reflection is essential to the positive academic, personal, social, and civic outcomes of service-learning. Positive effects of service-learning increased with greater reflection and particularly reflection on academic content.

Ash S.L., Clayton P.H. (2004). The Articulated Learning: An Approach to Guided Reflection and Assessment . Innovative Higher Education 29(2), 137–54.

The academic article that originated the DEAL reflection framework, this text describes the Articulated Learning framework’s three main components: description of an experience, analysis in accordance with relevant learning categories, and articulation of learning outcomes. It also considers applications for the framework in research and faculty development.

Hatcher, J.A, Bringle, R.G, & Muthiah, R. (2004). Designing effective reflection: What matters to service learning? Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning 11(1), 38-46.

This study, based on survey responses of undergraduate students, found that successful courses included reflection activities that (a) clarified personal values, (b) were a regular part of the course, and (c) were structured with clear guidelines and directions. The paper also discusses implications for practice.

Eyler J. (2002). Reflection: Linking Service and Learning—Linking Students and Communities . Journal of Social Issues, 58(3), 517–34.

This article reviews research on reflection practices in service-learning and collects concrete suggestions for attaining service-learning learning goals. It includes the reflection map from Eyler (2001) that can guide faculty to support students in multiple dimensions of reflection, including reflecting alone, with classmates, and with partners as well as before, during, and after service. 

Eyler, J. (2001). Creating Your Reflection Map . In M. Canada (ed. ) Service-learning: Practical advice and models. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, New Directions for Higher Education, 2001(114), 35–43.

This piece outlines the how and why or reflection in a guide to using the reflection map, a “tool to help practitioners organize their thinking about integrating continuous reflective processes into their service-learning practice.” The tool invites faculty to think about reflection in a matrix of time and interaction: reflecting alone, with classmates, and with partners, as well as before, during, and after service. 

Bringle, R.G. and J.A. Hatcher (1999). Reflection in Service Learning: Making Meaning of Experience . Educational Horizons, Summer, 179-185.

This brief article offers an easy introduction to service-learning, including narrative about the philosophical basis for reflection, types of reflection for service learning, assessing reflection, and consequences of reflection.

References:

1. Eyler, J., & Giles Jr., D.E. (1999). Where’s the Learning in Service-Learning? San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 2. Ash, S.L.; Clayton, P.H.; Atkinson, M.P. (2005). Integrating Reflection and Assessment to Capture and Improve Student Learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning 11(2), 49-60. 3. Eyler, J., Giles Jr., D.E., and Schmiede, A. (1996). A Practitioner’s Guide to Reflection in Service-Learning: Student Voices and Reflections. Vanderbilt University.

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Corpus of Russian spoken in Manturovsky district, Kostroma oblast #29

EkaterinaVoloshina commented Jan 29, 2022