1. Changing Lives
Through Service Learning
Donna Duerst
4-H Youth Development
Rock County
Pam Hobson
4-H Youth Development
Richland County
Cooperative Extension
Statewide Conference
October 20, 2010

2. What is Service Learning?
“…a teaching and learning strategy that integrates
meaningful community service with instruction and
reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach
civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.”
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
“…a teaching method that enriches
learning by engaging students in
meaningful service to their schools and
communities.”
National Youth Leadership Council

3. What is Service Learning?
“…a teaching and learning methodology which
fosters civic responsibility and applies classroom
learning through meaningful service to the
community.”
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
“…an educational strategy that
combines service to the community
with learning activities to meet both
intellectual and civic objectives.”
University of Wisconsin Extension

4. Elements of Service Learning
 Youth Voice
 Meaningful Service
 Link to Curriculum
 Reflection
Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice
National Youth Leadership Council

5. Elements of Service Learning
 Duration and Intensity
 Partnerships
 Progress Monitoring
 Diversity
Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice
National Youth Leadership Council

6. Rock County 4-H Service
Trip to Louisiana and
Mississippi
 Thirty-one 4-H members participated,
8th
grade and up, in June 2006
 Three days of service projects, including a day of
service in Biloxi, Mississippi and planting trees at a
local youth camp in Louisiana
Example of a 4-H
Service Learning
Experience

7. Painting a newly reconstructed home in Biloxi, MS

8. Building benches in shelters at Camp Teca Towazi

9. Planting over 1,500 trees at Camp Teca Towazi

10. Relationship to Scholarship
“Creative intellectual work”
The trip was a new approach in Rock County, as it was
the first 4-H trip based entirely on service learning.
“Reviewed by the scholar’s peers who affirm its value”
The agent published a department paper and a Journal
of Youth Development article, both of which were peer-
reviewed.
Successful Program awards were
received from WAE4-HYDP and the
North Central Region of NAE4-HA

11. Relationship to Scholarship
“Added to our intellectual history through its
communication”
The work added to the body of knowledge and was
shared through the publication of the department paper
and journal article, which are accessible on websites.
“Valued by those for whom it was intended”
Evaluation results clearly indicate the experience
had a very positive and lasting effect on the
participants.

12. Evaluation and Reflection
Methods
Pre/Post test on aspects of Southern culture
Journals with prompt questions included
Graffiti wall and comment box at Forestry Camp
Daily group discussions at project site
County fair exhibits and county award forms
Six-month follow-up written evaluation

13. Recurrence of key concepts or phrases
in written reflection pieces.
KEY CONCEPT OR PHRASE # OF TIMES
MENTIONED
(N = 48)
# OF YOUTH
RESPONDENTS
(N = 31)
Gained appreciation for things in my life;
not going to take so much for granted from
now on
21 (43.8%) 17 (54.8%)
It was rewarding/it felt good to help others 12 (25.0%) 11 (35.5%)
The experience changed my life 12 (25.0%) 10 (32.3%)
Learned about cooperation/responsibility;
gained self-confidence
10 (20.8%) 8 (25.8%)
Want to help more, either in the South or at
home
8 (16.7%) 8 (25.8%)
Learned about life in the South 7 (14.6%) 7 (22.6%)
Quantifying Reflection Results

14. Six-month Follow-up:Six-month Follow-up:
“I now know that hard work, patience,
cooperation, along with open mindedness
is the best way to get things done, and that
it’s important to live life to the fullest.”
(10th
grade participant)
“It’s so rewarding to make someone else’s
day and help them out. It gives you a real
sense of responsibility, character and self
confidence that you can make a difference.”
(10th
grade participant)