Since 1992, Maryland has required students to complete service-learning before they can graduate. According to the Charles County Board of Education, this teaching method combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning wherein students improve their academic skills by applying what they learn in school to the real world, and then reflect on their experiences to reinforce the link between their service and learning.
Today, students must complete 75 hours, many of which are already incorporated into their class time in school. However, students are often on their own to find when and how they can close the gap for the remaining hours needed to graduate. This year, MBRT created a summer of service for our rising junior Next Generation Scholars to make this process easier.
“Our goal in designing this summer of service was to give students the opportunity to fulfill their service-learning requirement and be ready to focus on all that’s needed when applying to college during the next school year,” said Nona Carroll, chief strategy officer and Next Generation Scholars program director. “Being able to check this item off their to-do list heading into junior year will really help position them for success.”
- Adulting 101: In partnership with University of Maryland Extension, students will learn useful skills to make them successful in adulthood. Students will also complete a service-learning project during this two-day camp. In Dorchester County, students will participate in a school beautification project (June 19–20) and in Caroline County, students will build a Little Free Library (June 12–13).
- Service With a Smile: In Dorchester County on July 21–22, students will work on a beautification project at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School.
- Adopt a Parklet: In Allegany County, students will beautify Cumberland parks and plant flowerbeds by adopting a parklet, which is a lounge area that takes up at least one parking spot as described in The Baltimore Sun.
- Habitat for Humanity: Students in Kent (June 25) and Caroline (July 20) counties will team up with the local Habitat for Humanity for a day to build a home and break down barriers to affordable housing. Students will participate in meaningful work resulting in a real sense of accomplishment while learning new skills and gaining confidence.
- Horizons: Beginning June 28, students will assist youth in grades 1–8 with academic instruction, enrichment and cultural activities. The service-learning project is offered Monday through Friday for six weeks and is split between Wor-Wic Community College and Salisbury School.
All rising juniors are encouraged to contact their local coordinator to sign up for a service-learning project during MBRT’s 2021 Summer of Service.
