Service Learning
- What is Service Learning?
- Carroll County Service Learning Guidelines
- What “counts” towards service-learning based on MSDE and CCPS Guidelines?
- Courses with Service Learning
- Service Learning Form
- School Service Learning Coordinator Contact Information
- Maryland State Department of Education Service Learning
- Service Learning Project Ideas and Resources
What is Service Learning?
Service-Learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning. Students improve their academic skills by applying what they learn in school to the real world; they then reflect on their experience to reinforce the link between their service and their learning. Each student must complete 75 hours to graduate.
Service-learning experiences in Maryland must include:
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Academic Preparation: Students must be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for their service activity. Preparation may include achieving curricular objectives, exploring the meaning of civic engagement, and learning about the community and how to identify its needs. Examples of Academic Preparation include learning from a guest speaker, meeting with a community partner, and conducting research on a particular issue or cause.
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Service Activities: Students engage in purposeful, personally relevant service-learning experiences. Students should spend a significant portion of their service-learning time engaged in meeting a recognized community need through direct, indirect, or advocacy service action.
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Direct Service: Students have direct contact with those they serve.
Examples of Direct Service include tutoring, serving meals, visiting, providing care, etc.
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Indirect Service: Students engage in a service activity without having direct contact, often to channel resources to help alleviate a community issue.
Examples of Indirect Service include providing technical assistance, hosting food and clothing drives, organizing walk-a-thons and fundraisers, participating in environmental projects, etc.
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Advocacy Service: Students educate others about a particular nonpartisan topic with the goal of influencing change within a community.
Examples of Advocacy Service include contacting legislators, presenting before public officials, preparing and delivering a performance, creating and sharing media or other educational materials, etc.
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Structured Reflection: Students participate in ongoing reflection throughout a service-learning experience. Students contemplate and evaluate the service action and its impact on the community and on themselves, considering positives and negatives and adjustments that might be made to the activity. Examples of Structured Reflection include guided journal prompts, discussions, peformance, artwork, etc. Students in Carroll County achieve this through the completion of the Service Learning Form.
Seven Best Practices of Service Learning
All service-learning should meet all of the following Maryland State Department of Education's Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning :
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Meet a recognized need in the community.
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Achieve curricular objectives through service-learning.
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Reflect throughout the service-learning experience.
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Develop student responsibility.
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Establish community partnerships.
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Plan ahead for service-learning.
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Equip students with knowledge and skills needed for service.
Carroll County Service Learning Guidelines
1. Students, parents, and individuals/organizations who accept student volunteers are hereby advised that the fact that Service-Learning is mandated is not a sufficient basis for attaching liability to the Carroll County Public Schools. The Board of Education of Carroll County does not provide general liability insurance for individuals or organizations for whom students may perform student service. Parents or guardians of student and individuals or organizations that accept student volunteers should verify the adequacy of their own insurance coverage; as well as their protocols for maintaining student safety and privacy.
2. The Carroll County Service Learning program will meet or exceed the maximum number of service learning hours (75) as required by the State of Maryland. Students may count a maximum of 20% of total service hours as preparation unless pre-approved by the School Service Learning Coordinator.
3. Students may accumulate service learning hours through the summer after the completion of grade 5 until the end of grade 12. Students must complete a minimum of 55 service learning hours by the end of the eleventh grade in order to be promoted to senior status.
4. Service learning hours will be pro-rated for students transferring into Carroll County Schools from out of state, non-public schools, or home school after the start of their sophomore year. Students who transfer during sophomore year will be required to complete 40 hours of service learning; during junior year, 30 hours; during the first semester of their senior year, 10 hours; during the second semester of senior year, 5 hours.
5. Service Learning activities will be approved by the School Principal (or their designee) or the building Service Learning Coordinator. Students shall not be paid for their service and shall not earn hours for service to a for-profit agency or business. Students shall not earn hours for service hours in preparation for or during religious service; nor can they earn hours for assisting family members with tasks like cutting the lawn or babysitting. Students can not be excused from school to earn service learning hours. Check with the building Service Learning Coordinator for clarification.
6. Students who complete 300 or more service learning hours by May 1st of their Senior year will earn the Exemplary Service Award.
What “counts” towards service-learning based on MSDE and CCPS Guidelines?
- What can I do to earn service learning hours?
- What Service-Learning Projects Should Not Do:
- What is the difference between volunteering, community service, work study/internship, and service learning?
- Service Learning FAQs
What can I do to earn service learning hours?
All service-learning experiences should meet Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning. Listed below are additional guidelines that provide clarification on what should “count” toward meeting the service-learning requirement.
• Service-learning activities with the purpose of directly addressing human needs in areas such as health, education, environment, or public safety, even if done in conjunction with a faith-based agency or institution, may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement.
• Service-learning activities with the purpose of collecting food, clothing, or other items necessary to benefit others and meet human needs, even if done in conjunction with a faith-based agency or institution, may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement.
• Service-learning activities with the purpose of extending the benefit of the service activity to individuals or families in need, other than the student’s own family, may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. Activities should serve the greater good instead of being self-serving to a particular person or group.
• Service-learning activities with the purposes of serving the school community must meet the service-learning quality practices articulated in Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning to be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. These projects should be structured to meet greater needs in the areas of health, education, environment, or public safety identified within the school community.
• Service-learning activities with the purpose of increasing voter registration and participation and/or implementing voter education activities on issues may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement.
• Service-learning activities must be inclusive and non-discriminatory. Activities that violate federal or state law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability, may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement.
• Service-learning activities that are completed independently by students in the community must meet the service-learning quality practices articulated in Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning. Designated school personnel or, in the absence of such designated personnel, the school principal, must verify the completion of the service
What Service-Learning Projects Should Not Do:
Business Relationships or For-Profit Businesses
• Any service-learning activity with the chief purpose of increasing the amount of revenue for a private, for-profit business or to generate new revenue for that business may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. This includes working as an aide/assistant teacher/camp counselor for a business.
• Any service-learning activity that replaces a paid staff worker of the participating agency or institution with a student earning service-learning credit may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. Even if the business does not replace a paid employee working as an aide/assistant teacher/camp counselor for a for-profit business. This scenario does not meet the service-learning requirements.
• Any service-learning activity that compensates a student with money, goods, or services may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. If an organization gives students the choice to be paid or to earn service-learning hours, this does not count toward service learning.
Religious Practice or Religious Organizations
• Any service-learning activity with the chief purpose of converting others to a particular religious or spiritual view and/or which denigrates the religious or spiritual views of others may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement.
• Any service-learning activity with the chief purpose of helping prepare and/or participate in the performance of a religious service or religious education activity may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement.
What is the difference between volunteering, community service, work study/internship, and service learning?
The Maryland Department of Education explains the differences between volunteering, community service and work study below:
Volunteerism: Volunteers engage in service for a variety of personal reasons. They do not necessarily link their service to academic studies nor do they receive academic credit for their efforts.
Community Service: People engaging in community service do so for a variety of reasons. This is a broad term that can encompass court ordered, stipended or volunteer service. It also does not necessarily link to academic studies.
Work Study Internship:Student interns frequently work at for-profit business to benefit the financial standing of that business. They are not necessarily working to improve their communities through these internship experiences. There can be overlap between work study internships and service-learning. Students are engaged in service-learning if through their internship experiences they work to improve the health or welfare of their community while linking this to their academic studies.
Service Learning FAQs
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Students can earn service-learning hours if their service-learning projects meet MSDE guidelines. Service Projects ideas that can be performed locally and online are also posted. Only CCPS Service-Learning Coordinators and School Administrators can approve hours.
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Service Learning must meet a need for the whole community and not benefit a single person, a religion or a for profit business.
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Service-Learning Hours CAN NOT be earned working as an aide, teacher assistants (or similar titles) at for profit businesses like daycares, gymnastic studios, karate studios, dance studios, sport camps, or similar for-profit businesses.
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Students can NOT earn service-learning hours working for the benefit or the promotion of a specific religion.
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Service learning hours can be earned by camp counselors or activity assistants in denominational summer camps such as Vacation Bible School but only when the program is advertised to and attended by the non-denominational public. Service learning hours are awarded only for secular curriculum and secular programming or recreation, such as sports, swimming, secular crafts, serving snacks, etc. Service learning hours cannot be earned for any activities that involve prayer, liturgy, or the furtherance of religious tradition.
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Service Learning hours can be earned by providing childcare while parents attend meetings at a religious organization, but only when the meetings address a community need and/or serve a population beyond the faith membership and do not support a for-profit business. Eligible activities might include teaching English classes, offering workshops open to the public, blood drives, fitness classes, non-denominational music gatherings. Service learning hours cannot be earned for meetings for congregation members only, and/or those that are focused on religion or worship.
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Please ASK your building Service-Learning Coordinator before performing service-learning hours at any for profit business regardless of them telling you they are approved to give hours. No business is approved by CCPS to give service-learning hours. Only CCPS Service-Learning Coordinators or CCPS Administrators can approve service-learning hours.
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Prior approval of hours at an organization (businesses) does not mean hours will be approved again. Students must get pre-approval of service learning performed at organizations that are businesses.
Courses with Service Learning
Students may fulfill the Service-Learning Graduation Requirement by successfully completing courses that contain a Service-Learning component. Students must earn the minimum of 75 Service-Learning hours to satisfy the Service-Learning requirement. The number of hours each course provides is listed below.
Hours are added to student's transcript at the end of the school year. Students do not need to submit a service learning form for courses where service learning is a component of the course.
- Middle School Courses Providing Hours
- High School Courses Providing 5-15-30 Hours
- High School Courses Providing 10 Hours
Middle School Courses Providing Hours
- 6th grade Outdoor School (10 hours)*
- 8th grade Family & Consumer Sciences (15 hours)
- Learning for Independence Job Readiness (15 hours)
*Students may earn an additional 10 Service-Learning hours by completing an approved environmental project after the completion of Outdoor School. Students will learn about this opportunity while attending Outdoor School.
High School Courses Providing 5-15-30 Hours
High School Courses Providing 10 Hours
- Academic Department Assistant+
- Advanced Cosmetology: Theory & Application
- AP US Government
- Applied Art
- Auto Service Technology I, II
- Building Maintenance
- Culinary Arts 1 and II
- Electrical Construction I, II
- Honors International Studies
- Independent Study – Student Service Learning+
- Issues in American Society
- Mastery of Cosmetology
- Newspaper Production/Honors Newspaper Production+
- Peer Facilitating+
- Principles & Practices of Cosmetology
- Science Research I, II, III/ Honors Science Research I, II, III
- Textiles and Fashion Careers I, II
- US History/Honors US History
- Video Production
- Yearbook Production/Honors Yearbook Production+
Service Learning Form
Once you have completed your service, fill out the Service-Learning Reflection Form and submit for approval within one-year.
The following video shows you how to submit your service learning form.
How to Submit Your Service Learning Form
School Service Learning Coordinator Contact Information
School-Based Service-Learning Coordinators
Please click on the Service Learning Coordinator's name to email them.
Century High School: Lyndsay Fraser 410-386-4400
East Middle School: Tressa Kolk 410-751-3656
Francis Scott Key: Tyler Workman 410-751-3320
Gateway/Crossroads: Karen Murchie 410-751-3691
Liberty High School: Sandra Platt 410-751-3560
Manchester Valley High School: Wendy Reitz 410-386-1673
Mt. Airy Middle School: Brooke Shortt 410-751-3355
North Carroll Middle School: Michele Over 410-751-3440
Northwest Middle School: Sheila Herbst 410-751-3270
Oklahoma Road Middle School: Meredith Veilleux 410-751-3600
Shiloh Middle School: Robert Daily 410-751-4570
South Carroll High School: Matthew Schwarzenburg 410-751-3575
Sykesville Middle School: Lisanne Forsberg 410-751-3545
West Middle School: Deniece Schaeffer 410-751-3661
Westminster High School: Kim Coale 410-751-3630
Winters Mill High School: Emily Masimore 410-386-1500
Maryland State Department of Education Service Learning
The Maryland State Department of Education Service Learning website contains information on the state requirements for service learning, service learning project examples, service learning guidelines, service learning resources, and frequently asked questions.
Service Learning Project Ideas and Resources
Service Learning Project Ideas and Resources
Virtual Service Learning Opportunities
Virtual Service-Learning Opportunities
Student participation in any Service-Learning opportunity is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian Students, parents, and individuals/organizations who accept student volunteers are hereby advised that the fact that Service-Learning is mandated is not a sufficient basis for attaching liability to the Carroll County Public Schools. The Board of Education of Carroll County does not provide general liability insurance for individuals or organizations for whom students may perform student service. Parents or guardians of student and individuals or organizations that accept student volunteers should verify the adequacy of their own insurance coverage; as well as their protocols for maintaining student safety and privacy. Students must submit the CCPS Service Learning Form within one year of completion of their service-learning project.
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CCPL Writers’ Block blog. CCPL Writers’ Block is a place for teens to share reviews and opinions about books, music, games and movies. It is also a place to share artwork and creative writing. Students interested in participating should fill out the request for more information
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The Virtual Systemwide Teen Advisory Board meets via Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM, October through May. Registration opens two weeks in advance and the Zoom link is sent out the day of the meeting
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DoSomething was founded in 1993 with the vision that volunteerism can be as cool as sports. Today, we are one of the largest nonprofits exclusively for young people making social change. In our history, we have activated over 8 million young people across more than a thousand different campaigns and programs and have members in every U.S. area code and in over 189 countries.
Smithsonian Digital Volunteers
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The Smithsonian benefits from the work of thousands of passionate volunteers who support the organization on-site in our museums, zoo, and other facilities. Today, digital technology makes it possible for people who believe in the Smithsonian mission to make significant contributions online. "Digital Volunteers" can now take on important assignments to expand access to the Smithsonian's massive collections and can participate in a variety of research programs.
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Students can collect aluminum cans, which can be done at home, and then turn in those items for service learning at the Carroll County Habitat Humanity.
Patriotic Blankets for Veterans
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Crafters needed to make small size "red, white, blue" blankets for Veterans. Our veterans served our country, and we are in need of these small lap robes to provide to hospice patients who are veterans.
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Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children 0-18 in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.
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Luv Michael offers a 10-hour service-learning program in which students learn about autism, advocate for autism acceptance, and reflect on their learning.
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Operation Gratitude creates opportunities to express gratitude to the military and first responders. Students might create a service-learning project by learning about those who serve, creating a campaign to assemble care packages or write letters, and engage in reflection.
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Soldier’s Angels provides aid, comfort, and resources to the military and veteran community— no matter what that individual’s political or religious affiliations might be. *Guardians need to register for volunteers
Local Non-Profit Organizations
Carroll County has numerous non-profit organizations that students can work with to create service-learning projects. Below is a list of some local non-profit organizations. Each organization name is hyperlinked to their website which contains more information on their organization.
*This organization has online projects available.
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4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County ***14 or older only
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*American Cancer Society – 800-227-2345
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Bear Branch Nature Center – Email for more information
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MD – Mentoring - Y Central MD – 410-848-2330
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Boys and Girls Club of Westminster—410-386-0135
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Caring Communities, Inc. – 410-549-5707
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Carroll County 4H – University of Md Extension - 410-876-2760
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Carroll County Equestrian Council – Email for more information-410-386-2103
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Carroll County Farm Museum – 410-386-3880
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Carroll County Food Sunday – 410-857-7926 -
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*Carroll County Public Library – 410-386-4490
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Carroll Hospice – 443-952-4236
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CHANGE, Inc. – 410-876-2179 –
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation – 1-888-728-3229
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Clagett Farms (301- 627-4662) harvesting, planting, picking, trees under 16 must be with an adult
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Disabled American Veterans – 410-386-3800
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Fire Departments (Junior Volunteer program)
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Westminster – 410-848-1800 -ages 12-16
- Pleasant Valley – 410-848-6008 - (Juniors@pleasantvalleyfire.org) ages 10-16
- Reese – 410-848-7172 – (info@reesevfc.org) ages 10-15
- Gamber – 410-795-3445 – (info@gambervfd.org) ages 11-16
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Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County ReStore – 410-751-7722 Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
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Historical Society of Carroll County – 410-848-6494
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Humane Society
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Baltimore County - Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
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Carroll County – Under 16 can run donation drives, create animal friendly products (dog or cat toys), etc
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Maryland Zoo – National Aquarium in Baltimore – 410-576-3886 There are the opportunities available for middle school with adult supervision
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Piney Run Nature Center – 410-795-6043
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*Project Linus – 240-786-2960 – (ccprojectlinus@gmail.com) Blanket making only
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Shepherd’s Staff – 410-857-5944 Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
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Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 202-633-3025
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Special Olympics – 443-236-1571
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Union Mills Homestead– 410-848-2288– Open May – November
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Westminster Rescue Mission - 410-848-2222