Local Service and Conservation Opportunities

8/8/2019 Local Service and Conservation Opportunities

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Alapaha Area Council, BSA

A Guide to

Service-Learning

With Local

Area Service and

Conservation Opportunities


2/13

When I talk to kids everywhere, I remind them that they're never too young to serve, that they'renever too small to do something big, because that's the way that they learn what it means tomake a lifelong commitment to service.

Michelle Obama

"Volunteers are some of our most valued partners, and Global Youth Service Day celebrates theefforts of the youngest of them. These young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; theycan play a leading role in the development of their communities today. Let us hope that their goodworks today blossom into lifelong commitments that will benefit all the world's people."

Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

"If you want to be important, wonderful. If you want to be recognized, wonderful. If you want to begreat, wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's anew definition of greatness.

And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means thateverybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degreeto serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have toknow about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity toserve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. Youonly need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

Mahatma Gandhi

The good thing about being young is that you are not experienced enough to know you cannotpossibly do the things you are doing.

Unknown Source

The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- andachieve it, generation after generation.

Pearl S. Buck


3/13

What is Service-Learning for Scouts?

What is Service-Learning for Scouts? Service-learning for scouts combines service to the community with scoutlearning in a way that improves both the scout and the community. According to the National and CommunityService Trust Act of 1993, service-learning:

Is a method whereby scouts learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organizedservice that is conducted in and meets the needs of communities;

Is coordinated with a community service program (such as Scouting) and the community;

Helps foster civic responsibility;

Is integrated into and enhances the education components of the community service program in whichthe participants are enrolled;

And provides structured time for scouts or participants to reflect on the service experience.

Service-learning is a blending of both service and learning goals in such a way that both occur at the same timeand are enriched and supported by one another. Service-learning seems to be one of those rare educationmodels that enable all of the participants to be winners.

Service-learning is not a new idea. John Dewey wrote that actions directed toward the welfare of others stimulate

academic and social development. William Kirkpatrick in the 1930s "Project Method" argued that learning shouldtake place in a setting outside of school and involve efforts to meet real community needs. But during the 1980s,the "me decade", community service seemed not to be emphasized as much in the schools. With nationallegislation passed in the early 1990s, resurgence of community service and especially community service tied tothe existing school curricula was on the rise.

In the media we often hear about gangs, drug usage, teenage pregnancies, high drop out rates and the alienationof today's youth. Early involvement in service-learning opportunities teaches young people that they can make adifference in this world. They have talents, capacities, compassion and enthusiasm that are not utilized in mostschool settings. Students engaged in a service-learning activity can no longer be viewed as passive recipients ofeducation, but must be viewed as competent producers and willing contributors.


4/13

How Do I Plan My Service/Conservation Project?

Service/Conservation projects are relatively easy to initiate in a scouting unit if you understand the underlyingconcepts of such projects and are open to the opportunities that present themselves. There are five steps in theinitiation of a successful project. These steps include brainstorming, focusing, implementing, evaluation andreflecting.

Brainstorm

To start a service/conservation project in your unit first look at your community. This could be schools,neighborhoods, local parks, your city or a larger area such as your county, state, nation or the world. What needscan you identify that might be met while studying a particular merit badge or in developing a skill or rankrequirement for which you are responsible? Use your Scout Handbook and other scouting resources; look atissues that are covered in the local media; talk with the scouts in your unit. At this point, do not restrict oreliminate any suggestion. This is the brainstorming phase.

Focus

Next, examine each idea. Will it solve a real need that is not already being met in some other way? Will both your

scouts and those being served benefit from the process? Is it possible to do considering the limitations and theresources you have available? Talk with your colleagues, agencies and parents. Modify the idea! Shape it! Thispart we call focusing.

Implement

Once the idea is fully developed, implement it.

Evaluation

Successful projects include two more elements: evaluation and reflection. During the evaluation phase scouts, theunit leaders and those being served examine the planning process, the procedures used and the results andmake suggestions of how to improve the project if it is to be attempted again.

Reflection

Reflection allows the scouts to focus on what they have accomplished. Scouts think about the impact they havehad on those being served and how their own attitudes and behavior have changed. Reflection also gives thescouts an opportunity to explore how they feel about what they have accomplished.

The Best Service/Conservation Projects:

1. Are bound directly to the ideals of Scouting.2. Meet a real community need.3.

Provide for structured group reflection time.

4. Are scout-centered.5. Engage scouts in group decision making and problem solving.6. Find ways to match the skills and talents of scouts with the needs of the community. 7. Provide a wide variety of options for scouts.8. Provide recognition for services rendered.


5/13

Local Service/Conservation Project Ideas

The following is a list of known projects within the Alapaha Area Council. If you know of other projects thatcould use the assistance of area scouts please let the Council Service Center know so this list can beupdated.

Reed Bingham State Park Bird Boxes - Reed Bingham State Park has requested as many bird boxes as we can provide. Most

of the current bird boxes on the property are showing signs of deterioration and many have had tobe removed due to rotting. They are requesting a specific design that has been shown toaccommodate many species of birds. The boxes should be a simple Blue Bird type of house andplans can be found in Exhibit A at the end of this document. These bird boxes will be installed bypark staff and volunteers.

Wood Duck Boxes - Reed Bingham State Park has requested as many Wood Duck boxes as wecan provide. These boxes are used along the waterway and the current installed boxes have beenwell used and many need replacing. Plans for this type of box can be found in Exhibit B at the end ofthis document. These Wood Duck boxes will be installed by park staff and volunteers.

Gopher Tortoise Project Volunteer Training - The Gopher Tortoise Management Project atReed Bingham State Park is an ongoing, non-stop project that is provided 7 days a week. Classesare scheduled and set up each year, however, training can and will be arranged for anyone

interested in participating in the program. For more information, please contact the park at 229-896-

3551.

General Coffee State Park

Picket Fence Project General Coffee State Park is in need of a picket fence to be built around theHeritage Farm site. For more information please contact Jackie Clay, Interpretive Ranger at 912-384-7082 or 912-384-1581. Her email address [email protected]

Chicken Yard & Coop - General Coffee State Park is in need of a chicken yard and chicken coop to

be built at the Heritage Farm site. For more information please contact Jackie Clay, InterpretiveRanger at 912-384-7082 or 912-384-1581. Her email address [email protected]

Trail Bridge Rebuild - General Coffee State Park is in need of a foot bridge to be rebuilt on one oftheir many trails. The bridge is approximately 140 160 long and it must be rebuilt with new rails.For more information please contact Jackie Clay, Interpretive Ranger at 912-384-7082 or 912-384-1581. Her email address [email protected]

Adopt-A-Trail - General Coffee State Park is always in need of organizations to adopt-a-trail andperform regular trail maintenance. For more information please contact Jackie Clay, InterpretiveRanger at 912-384-7082 or 912-384-1581. Her email address [email protected]

Valdosta Lowndes Parks & Recreation Authority Langdale Park - Boardwalks Multiple boardwalk sections need to be constructed on many of the

existing trails. These boardwalks will range in size from 10 to 50 in length and will be constructedover low lying areas of the trails where water runoff causes the trails to become inaccessible. Pleasecontact Eric Hahn, VLPRA Director, at 229-259-3507 or [email protected]

Langdale Park Trail Maintenance Groups and volunteers are needed to perform regular trailmaintenance and litter pick-up from all areas of the park. Please contact Eric Hahn, VLPRA Director,at 229-259-3507 or [email protected]

Langdale Park Interpretive Signs Mr. Hahn, Director of Valdosta Lowndes Parks & RecreationAuthority, has indicated that the VLPRA would like new interpretive signs installed throughoutLangdale Park since the area is frequently used for teaching by students on several levels. Please

contact Eric Hahn at 229-259-3507 or [email protected]


6/13


7/13

Local Service/Conservation Project Ideas (cont.)

Monofilament Recycling Units Information will be posted once it becomes available. See exhibit C forconstruction and installation instructions.

Sunset Cemetery Project The American Legion has asked the Boy Scouts of America to assist increating a database of veterans buried at Sunset Cemetery in Valdosta. This is an ongoing project that,once complete, will be maintained and updated by Sunset staff. Please contact David Stokes at 229-834-8677 or [email protected] for more information.

National Park Service Scout Ranger Program - Become a Scout Ranger! Explore the national parks;learn about the National Park Service mission; help protect the nation's natural, cultural, and historicresources. Participate in a volunteer service project or educational program and earn a certificate or patch.


8/13

Service/Conservation Online Resources

The online resources listed below contain a wealth of information on many service and conservation mindedtopics. Use these resources to gather information, help with the planning process or to help you come up withproject ideas. Some of the websites listed, may also contain grant and/or financial assistance opportunities alongwith tangible and monetary awards that are available to our youth and participating adults. If you know of anonline resource that is not listed, please let the Council Service Center know so the list can be updated.

Youth Service Americawww.ysa.org

Global Youth Action Networkwww.youthlink.org

People to People Internationalwww.ptpigysd.org

Learn and Serve Americawww.servicelearning.org

Action for Naturewww.actionfornature.org

Nicodemus Wilderness Projectwww.wildernessproject.org

All for Goodwww.allforgood.org

Global Youth Service Daywww.gysd.org

Get Ur Good Onwww.geturgoodon.org

Corp. for Nat. and Comm. Servicewww.serve.gov

YSA Serve Netwww.servenet.org

National & Community Servicewww.nationalservice.gov

AmeriCorpwww.americorp.gov

Keep America Beautifulwww.kab.org

Service Nationwww.servicenation.org

i participatewww.iparticipate.org

Create the Goodwww.createthegood.org

Be the Change inc.www.bethechangeinc.org

Keep Georgia Beautifulwww.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org

Keep GA Beautiful Foundationwww.kgbf.org

Leave No Tracewww.lnt.org

CMT One Countrywww.cmtonecountry.com

Earth Labwww.earthlab.com

Earth 911www.earth911.com

National Education Association

www.nea.org

Red Cross

www.redcross.org

Volunteer Match

www.volunteermatch.com

City Yearwww.cityyear.org

Earth Charter Initiativewww.earthcharter.org

Habitat for Humanity Internationalwww.habitat.org

Hope Worldwidehttp://www.hopeww.org

iEARN-USAwww.us.iearn.org

Innovations in Civic Participationwww.icicp.org

International Ass. for Vol. Effortwww.iave.org

International Youth Foundationwww.iyfnet.org

National Youth Leadership Councilwww.nylc.org

One World Youth Projectwww.oneworldyouthproject.org

Peace Child Internationalwww.peacechild.org

Service for Peacewww.serviceforpeace.org

TakingITGlobalwww.tigweb.org

Special Olympicswww.specialolympics.org

Unite for Sightwww.uniteforsight.org

U.N. Programme on Youthwww.un.org/youth

Youth for Understandingwww.yfu-usa.org

Youth Venturewww.youthventure.org


9/13

Exhibit A

Peterson Bluebird Nest Box

Eastern Bluebird populations declined in recent years to as low as 17 percent of their previous numbers in the late1950s and early 1960s. Currently, Eastern Bluebird populations are increasing in some regions as the number ofnatural nesting sites has been augmented with artificial nesting boxes. Good bluebird habitat includes opengrassy areas with little or no under story, perches for "drop-foraging and suitable nest sites close by. Such habitat

is found in orchards, clear-cuts, burned-over areas, and at the edges of upland woodlands and swamps. This nestbox design is popular because it discourages cats and other predators. Since the bottom tapers, less nestingmaterial is needed. The front opens easily for observation and cleaning.


10/13

Exhibit B

Wood Duck Nest Box

Wood Ducks are found in eastern North America from southern Canada to the southern coast of the UnitedStates. They are also found along parts of North America's West Coast. Woodland streams or pools, forestbottomlands, river valleys, swamps, marshes, lakes, and creeks are all typical Wood Duck habitat. A WoodDuck's nest is typically found 3 to 8 feet off the ground in a natural hole in the trunk or limb of a large tree. Nests

are also found in old woodpecker holes and rarely in buildings such as barns. Wood Ducks will readily andsuccessfully use nest boxes.


11/13

Exhibit C

Construction of PVC Monofilament Recycling Unit (MRU)

Materials needed (per unit)

2 of 6 PVC pipe

1 6 elbow

1 6 female threaded adapter

1 6 threaded male plug

Glue the elbow to one end of the pipe and the adapter to the other. Drill two holes in the plug(this is for drainage in case water gets into the recycling container) and attach (hand tight).Affix stickers.


12/13

Exhibit C (cont.)

Monofilament Recycling Unit Assembly and Installation

Assembly:

Cut PVC pipe into approximately 2 long pieces using a hacksaw, reciprocating saw (metalblade; 12 long blades work well), bandsaw or table saw. Use a deburring tool orsandpaper to remove PVC burrs around edges.

Working in a well-aerated area, apply PVC glue to inside (non-threaded part) of adapter.With adapter sitting squarely on the ground, press the pipe down into the adapter until snug.Note that PVC glue works by dissolving the PVC, then sets rapidly, so you dont have a lotof play time with it.

Apply PVC glue to the inside of one end of the elbow (it does not matter which end). Pressthe elbow onto the pipe. Try and make sure that any blemishes on the pipe end up on theback side of the bin.

Apply stickers.

Drill 2 holes (about or 3/8) in the center of the screw plug. Thread plug into adapter.

Installation:

Decide where you are going to install the bin and sign. Using a long drill bit (8), drill 2holes in the supporting wood (post or railings). The holes should be placed such that theupper hole will line up with the lower part of the elbow and the lower hole lines up with thecollar of the adapter. Drill a hole through the base of the elbow at the back of the bin.

Use bolts or all-thread to attach the bin to the post at the top hole. Lok-tite may be used onthe threads to try and keep the nuts from coming loose.

From the back side of the post, drill through the existing hole and through the collar of the

adapter. Use a second bolt or piece of all-thread to attach the bin through these holes. If using all-thread, use a reciprocating saw or bolt cutters to cut off the excess material.

Alternate method of installation:

In relatively secure areas (paid-access fishing piers, for example), or where you must attachthe bin to a concrete railing, you can use long cable-ties (tie-wraps) to wrap around the postand bin in 2 or 3 places. You can purchase tightening tools for the cable ties which will allowyou to get a snug fit. The cable ties are available from Home Depot in 34 and 48 lengths.The excess part of the cable tie should be cut off using the tightening tool or snips.

Deterring vandals

You can help prevent removal of 4x4 posts in one of two ways: 1. Use concrete to help set thepost in the ground; 2. Nail or screw a piece of 2x4 perpendicular to the 4x4 post, as close tothe ground as you can. This will prevent people from being able to rock the post back andforth.

If the container is attached to a pier/railing, you can attach a 2x4 or 4x4 to the pier adjacent toboth sides of the containerthis helps stop people from rocking the container back and forthand breaking it loose.


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Exhibit C (cont.)

Suggested tool list

Tools listed as optional will make your life easier, but may be fairly expensive. However, ifyou or a volunteer happen to already own them, plan to bring them along!

Bin assembly: Hacksaw (there are specific PVC hacksaws which can be purchased from plumbing supply

companies, but a regular hacksaw should work)

Tape measure

Sandpaper (any grit is fine; if purchasing specifically for this project, get 100 grit)

Optional: reciprocating saw with 12 metal cutting blade; OR band saw OR table saw withfine-toothed blade (the more teeth the better), de-burring tool (available from plumbing supplycompany)

Bin installation:

Post-hole diggers (if installing 4x4 post)

Cordless drill with long (8) drill bit (3/8 preferred)

Wrenches to fit nuts you will be using to install (2 wrenches or ratchets with sockets orcombination of the 2)

Hacksaw or bolt-cutters (if using all-thread)

Screwdriver (or screwdriver bit for drill) (if attaching signs; use stainless steel screws)

Cable-tie tightener (available from Home Depot online or at A/C supply companies) (if usingcable ties)

Optional: Bucket and small shovel/trowel for mixing concrete, reciprocating saw with metal-

cutting blade (if using all-thread)

Suggested items for volunteers who are collecting line from containers:

Grocery store bags (to collect line)

Nail clippers or small pair of scissors (to remove hooks, etc.)

Large pair of pliers or large wrench (in case plug is too tight)

Short stick with cup hook on the end (used to reach inside container and pull down linewithout having to put ones hand inside it)

Spray bottle with 10% bleach (for occasional rinsing of inside of containers)

Documents

Local Service and Conservation Opportunities