Friends of the Cumberland Trail Offer
Service-Learning
Friends of the Cumberland Trail, based in East Tennessee, is welcoming
students to gain academic knowledge while serving one of our state's greatest treasures. Visit this link for some
ideas to get you started.
Don't live near the Cumberland Trail? Using the service-learning project
ideas provided, initiate a project at a park near you. Contact Del Truitt, deltruitt@yahoo.com, for more information
about service-learning partnerships with Friends of the Cumberland Trail.
U.S. Public Service Academy Invites Youth
to Join Their State Youth Advisory
Council
Earlier this summer, the Academy established a National Youth Council and
state Youth Advisory Council to help us mobilize support in communities across the country. The Academy now has 100 outstanding members representing
more than 30 states. To learn more about the Academy's Youth Advisory Council, visit http://www.uspublicserviceacademy.org/nyc.
Recognize Youth in Your Service-Learning Program
with the President's Volunteer Service
Award
The President's Volunteer Service Award, created by The President's Council
on Service and Civic Participation is a way to thank volunteers for their commitment to volunteerism and community service. The President's Volunteer
Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups who have achieved a certain number of volunteer hours over the course of a year, or
lifetime. To learn more, visit http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/index.cfm.
New Magazine Launched by International Youth
Foundation
YOUth, the International Youth Foundation's new flagship magazine, offers
interviews, personal stories, and essays focused on youth development around the world. Published by IYF twice a year, the magazine seeks to
celebrate the power and promise of young people to change the world, while incorporating the varied voices and perspectives from those in the public,
private, and non-profit sectors. To read the premier issue, visit http://www.iyfnet.org/section.cfm/31/286.
MTV Launches First Online Community
to Make Youth Famous for Doing Good
MTV, along with founding partners the Case Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, Goldhirsh Foundation and the MCJ Foundation, recently launched a new movement in youth activism: Think.MTV.com. Think.MTV aims to be the
definitive online resource and rally point for young changemakers to "Get Educated, Get Connected, Get Heard, Get Active, and Get Rewarded." To learn
more, visit http://think.mtv.com.
National Collaboration for Youth Survey
for Adults Who Work Directly With
Youth
If you work with youth (ages 10-18) during out-of-school hours, the National
Collaboration needs your help. A team from the University of Nevada, Reno, is conducting an international web-based survey of adults who work
directly with youth (ages 10-18) in non-school time programs. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between individuals' job
satisfaction and plans to continue working with youth and their perception of the following:
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their skills in providing positive developmental settings for youth;
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features of the out-of-school-time program in which they work;
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their professional experience and training;
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and characteristics of their job and benefits.
To participate, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=72375217369.
Applications Being Accepted for State Farm
Service-Learning Champion Award
The Service-Learning Champion Award recognizes a non-traditional advocate of
service-learning by acknowledging the valuable role played by a business or community leader who has partnered with youth in advancing the cause of
service-learning. This award is designed to recognize a community member, business partner, or public official whose contribution was instrumental to
the success of a youth-led service-learning project. It recognizes a community member who has a significant and meaningful impact on the growth of
service-learning, championing the cause of service-learning through his or her commitment of time, training, materials, personal involvement and
passion.
The deadline to apply is December 1. To learn more, including
the nomination criteria, visit http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/community/s1champ_award.asp.
Join the Rescuing Recess Campaign
The Corporation for National and Community Service has teamed up with the Cartoon
Network, the National Basketball Association, the PTA, and other groups in the "Rescuing Recess" campaign, which aims to recruit volunteers to
contribute one million hours to support recess and physical activity this school year. Schools can receive one of 10,000 free Rescuing recess kits
that contain a recess monitor training video, red rubber balls, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, and a "Bring Learning to Life" service-learning DVD from
the Corporation. Top-recruiting schools from each state and the District of Columbia can earn $2,500 grants toward supporting physical activity
programs and healthy lifestyle initiatives, as well as a $250 gift certificates for sports merchandise. An ultimate winning school will be announced
in June to receive a $25,000 case grant and a recess rally event. To learn more, visit http://www.rescuingrecess.com.
Mercy Corps Global Action Awards
The application process for the 2008 Global Action Awards is now open. Mercy Corps
Global Action Awards honor U.S. high school students who have led a project that had a direct, positive impact on people in developing countries and
that raised awareness about global poverty. Honorees receive $5,000 for their education or a charity of their choice. The deadline to apply is
January 31, 2008. To read amazing stories about last year's winners or to learn more, visit http://www.globalactionawards.org.
Check Out the BR!CK Awards, Dubbed By CNN
as "the Oscars of Youth Service
Awards"
Founded in 1996, the Do Something BR!CK Awards honor America's top leaders age 25 and
under in the areas of community building, health, and the environment. BR!CK winners are social entrepreneurs who identified problems in their local
communities and did something about it! Each award includes a $5,000 higher education scholarship, a $5,000 grant for continued community work, pro
bono services, and other support and recognition. Winners are announced and honored at the annual star-studded BR!CK Awards Gala in New York City.
The deadline to apply is December 31. To learn more, visit http://www.dosomething.org/brick.
Become a National School of Caring
During the week leading up to Super Bowl Weekend (January 28-February 1),
schools across the country will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. The Souper Bowl of
Caring is launching its new National Schools of Caring campaign to engage students in service and philanthropy. Participation is easy!
Schools simply perform service projects and collect donations of money, canned goods, and other items to benefit nonprofits in their communities that
provide direct services to their neighbors in need. They report their totals to Souper Bowl of Caring, and then donate 100% to the local
organization of their choice. Last year more than 14,000 groups participated to generate over $8 million. Registered groups will receive a free
Resource Kit that includes an owner’s manual with step-by-step instructions, an educational DVD and more! Any school with a group that
registers, participates, and reports will be recognized as a National School of Caring. To register, visit http://www.souperbowl.org.
Classrooms Nationwide Participate
in “The Drive” at Thanksgiving
From November 7 – 21, the first event of a new effort called The League will occur. During
“The Drive,” K-12 classroom teams score “points” for items collected and delivered to the community agencies
they’ve chosen – with a goal of students collecting and distributing more than $1 million worth of donated goods. The League
combines service, learning, and friendly competition with live, interactive events. The League believes once people are inspired and once they are
given the opportunity, change happens. The League also offers 1,200 free Learning to Give curriculum lessons and links. To participate in “The
Drive," visit http://www.theleague.org.
