Seasons of Service (SOS) Curriculum

This comprehensive resource includes three distinct curricular pieces, plus a reflection journal, designed for youth leaders working in the community through service. It provides the framework and tools to host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, run a sampling of service activities (camp, field days, volunteer days, etc.), and train youth in the skills necessary to run the their own service-learning days, camps, or retreats.

The Change Your World curriculum introduces youth to the concepts of service-learning while intentionally building leadership skills. Once youth go through the curriculum, with a little coaching and encouragement, they should be able to lead the very same activities with peers or younger children, or go forth with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a service-learning experience of their own creation.

A core element of the Seasons Of Service resource is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: A Day On, Not A Day Off section. It provides outlines for three half-day experiences for running an MLK Day event with your youth group, with options for novice, intermediate, or experienced levels.

The last curricular section is titled: Service Sampler: Finding Your Place to Serve. This section offers ideas and examples of 11 different service learning experiences based on broad community categorical issues such as caring for animals, promoting peace, or caring for children. Each outlined experience only takes three to four hours.

This resource was produced by Susan Ragsdale and Ann Saylor, YMCA Center for Asset Development, based upon work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service under Learn and Serve America Grant No. 09KCSTN001. The project is funded under an agreement with the Department of Finance and Administration, Volunteer Tennessee.