Civic Education Project: service learning field studies for oustanding middle and high school students
CTD's Civic Education Project
Apply for the Civic Education Project's programs
What to Expect



Service Projects
service projects CivicWeek groups spend the bulk of their time during the week engaged in service projects in partnership with reputable local community organizations. Service projects vary according to the specific focus issue, but each allows meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to the work of the organization while interacting with clients, residents and staff.


 Active Learning
community experiences CivicWeek students truly get to know the communities in which they are working. They participate in facilitated community tours, talk with neighborhood residents and attend local events and celebrations. Each group has the opportunity to experience firsthand not just the needs of the community they are serving, but its strengths and assets as well. Students typically meet with prominent business and political leaders and visit significant cultural and historical sites.


Reflection
Staff members facilitate reflection each evening to give students an opportunity to process the events of the day Staff members facilitate reflection each evening to give students an opportunity to process the events of the day. Activities such as discussions, debates and individual journal writings help students connect what they are seeing and experiencing to broader lessons about social issues, leadership and citizenship.


Community Living
CivicWeek participants are housed at community organizations or retreat centers in the heart of their host communities CivicWeek participants are housed at community organizations or retreat centers in the heart of their host communities. Housing arrangements vary, but accommodations are typically simple and retreat-style, with shared bathrooms, kitchens and common spaces. Working in small groups, students and staff prepare and serve meals for each other each evening.


Group Building
CivicWeek programs provide a tremendous opportunity for students to connect with diverse, motivated peers from communities across the country CivicWeek programs provide a tremendous opportunity for students to connect with diverse, motivated peers from communities across the country. This learning community is facilitated in part through fun and challenging group-building activities. Groups might be asked to pass each other through a giant "spider web" or find a way to cross an imaginary lava lake, all the while building trust, learning leadership skills and discovering how to work as a team.


Recreation
While each day in a CivicWeek program is quite full, groups always have time for relaxation and fun. Downtime each evening allows students to relax, unwind and socialize with their peers While each day in a CivicWeek program is quite full, groups always have time for relaxation and fun. Downtime each evening allows students to relax, unwind and socialize with their peers. In addition, no visit to a community is complete without the opportunity to explore some of its most notable recreational sites.


Credit & Service Hours
CivicWeek participants therefore may be eligible for high school credit and approximately 40 hours of service-learning credit, depending on each individual school's guidelines The Center for Talent Development is accredited by the North Central Association on Accreditation and School Improvement and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation. As such, CivicWeek participants may be eligible for high school credit and up to 40 hours of service-learning credit, depending on each individual school's guidelines.


Lifelong Impact
CivicWeek programs are designed to help prepare students for a lifetime of active citizenship CivicWeek programs are designed to help prepare students for a lifetime of active citizenship. Through alumni programs, quarterly newsletters, Internet resources and special events, the Civic Education Project continues to help students identify ways to become more engaged in their own schools and communities, even after their program concludes.