Youth Community Projects
Alma High School, Alma
CESA 4
Lois Balk
Alma High School is involved in a variety of service projects, most
of which relate to local environmental issues. The economy of the City
of Alma, located on the Mississippi River, is heavily dependent on tourism,
so students know that the natural beauty of their area must be carefully
maintained. Projects in the 1997-98 school year (in which 38 students participated)
included the improvement of the Rieck's Park Wildlife Area and boardwalk,
cleanup of the shoreline, and improvement and signage of the hiking trail
that runs from the city to the Buena Vista Overlook. Students have also
begun planning a nature study area for their school on 200 acres of land
donated by Dairyland Power. Part of this process for these projects involved
appearing before the Alma City Council and working with the city's Parks
and Recreation Department to ensure the projects were in compliance with
land use requirements. Other projects included painting the bath house,
scraping and painting picnic tables and playground equipment at Buena Vista
Park on Arbor Day, and the continuation of a multi-year "Adopted Grandparent"
program with students from the junior high.
Students are very much involved in the planning of these projects. Students
and adults sit down together to discuss ideas, the adults help them set
priorities based on those ideas, and the students do the planning according
to the priorities. Students reflected on their experience through journal
writing and small group discussions with Ms. Balk, the guidance counselor.
Ms. Balk believes that the project is having an effect in the community
which goes beyond just the obvious improvements to the outdoor areas. Adults
in the community are beginning to see their young people in a more positive
way. Students are proud of what they have accomplished, and they take care
to avoid damaging the areas they have worked on by, for example, riding
bikes through it. Students are also learning about the variety of jobs
in their community, and about how to assess community needs and respond
appropriately.
Ms. Balk hopes to work more closely with the government teacher in the
future, since students have already established relationships with the
student council, the city council and the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources. She hopes also to make sure that students reflect in their journals
weekly, throughout the project, rather than toward the end. Ms. Balk advises
other teachers to "start small." It is better to work with a small number
of committed students and staff, she says, than a larger group whose commitment
is unclear. She also urges other teachers to involve students in the planning
process, and to see themselves as guides rather than leaders.
Return to Wisconsin Service-Learning Project Profiles Page
For questions about this information, contact Theresa L. Dary (608) 261-7494
Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:08:25 AM
Home
Contact Us