Service Learning Academy | American Youthworks

CCorp's First Podcast

On December 17, 2009, In Computer Corps, Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

A podcast is an audio recording meant to be downloaded from the internet. This podcast took us a long time to make. We used mics, a mixer, a guitar, a laptop, and several hours of revisions and recording to make this happen. It took us about a day and a half to research all the information before we could even write the script. CCorps members were split up into groups of four and every group was assigned to make their own podcast. Our group chose evolution because we thought it would interesting for a large group of people. The members of our group were Gabrielle Morales, Randy Moreno, Evan Hobratsch, and me (Sam Lindsey). We enjoyed making it and we hope you enjoy it too.

EVOLUTION

–Sam Lindsey, CCorps member

Service Day with CCorps

On December 14, 2009, In Computer Corps, Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

On Saturday, December 12^th, Computer Corps and some members of Green Energy Corps took out time on the weekend to go down to Blue Santa and helped wrap presents for families to open on Christmas.

We arrived at Blue Santa around 12pm and when we got there we almost had to leave because they didn’t have enough for us to do but they said they would take us on a tour. While they took us on the tour of the warehouse they explained some details about what exactly they do. After that they took us into a big room filled with cardboard boxes and taught us how to fold up the boxes and tape them together. We folded up about 50 boxes and stacked them on top of each other.

When we finished that they took us over to some tables with bags that said boys ages 3-4 told us all to grab a bag and go over to the boxes of toys and pick out, 1book, 1game, and 1stocking stuffer which was like a hot wheels toy or an action figure. Once we filled our bags with toys we grabbed a piece of blue wrapping paper and wrapped up our bags and put them in boxes to be shipped off.

The Blue Santa service day was a lot of fun. After we finished all of our service we all got to sign our names on a big long wall so we could be recognized for our help!

–Alicia Ward, CCorps member

Green Energy Corps: local and global change

On December 10, 2009, In Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

The Green Energy Corps (GEC) program is a great part of Americorps and the Service Learning Academy. It teaches students how to weatherize homes for families who can’t afford the service or the monthly bill for electricity.

Weatherizing a house has a few benefits, for the resident and for the environment. For example, when a house gets weatherized it gets a complete makeover to keep the temperature in the house at a certain level—warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By doing this, the house reduces the usage of electricity anywhere from thirty to ninety-five percent which means the electricity bill will go down and the family can have more money in their pocket. This can also mean the energy plants won’t have to burn as much coal to produce electricity and prevent higher amounts of pollution or toxic waste from nuclear plants. Due to this we can have a safer environment for our children and our grandchildren. Not to mention, it is also a good way to stop global warming and less animals will die off or go extinct because of record breaking temperatures.

–Cesar Bautista, GEC Member

Computer Corps Orientation: paperwork first, fun second

On October 22, 2009, In Computer Corps, Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

CCorps Trainer, Matt, and Warnetta celebrat the induction of new members

CCorps Trainer, Matt, and Warnetta celebrate the induction of new members

Teisha's mom brought food for the potluck to show her support

October 4^th through the 17^th I, Caleb Jones, attended the Computer Corps orientation in hopes of having the privilege of joining the AmeriCorps program. Though a lot of the orientation involved paper work and reviewing the policies and procedures, other members and I, had a lot of fun with the teambuilding activities. I learned a lot of things about computers that I did not know before, and a lot about the actual program. The first week was basically paperwork, but when week two started–the fun began. I got to take apart and put together a computer, which is something I have never done before and it was an awesome experience. We also took a trip a Goodwill that refurbishes computers, and got to see their computer museum. AYW student, Ateisha Flint, said “I really enjoyed volunteering at the River City Youth, and the marble game we played.” Unfortunately, not everyone who attended orientation made it in, though everyone was a worthy candidate, there were only so many spots open. About twenty other students and I are now AmeriCorps members, and we all look forward to what lies ahead in the Computer Corps program.

By,

Caleb Jones, Service Learning Academy Student

Bicycles, Waterfalls, and Burgers

On October 20, 2009, In Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

On Wednesday, October 3rd, a large group of AYW students and staff along with members from the local bike shop, Bicycle Sport Shop,

Ridin' Bikes

took a trip to McKinney Falls to ride one of the several hike and bike trails in the park. For many of the students it was the first time they had ridden a bike in outdoor terrain. Bicycle Sport Shop contributed greatly by providing bikes for the students and lessons on how to repair them should a student find him/herself in a situation requiring some know-how. AYW student Caleb Jones said, “Not only was it probably the most fun field trip I’ve been on, but the burgers were delicous.”

Hopefully we can continue to provide more unorthodox, but still fun field trips for the students at AYW such as this one.

By: Bill Shannon

We're Bloggin'!

On September 30, 2009, In Service Learning Academy, By servicelearningacademy

Teisha, Rob, and Matt workin' hard!

Hey guys! I know we did a lot of work to pull newsletter articles together but I have decided we’re doing a blog instead. Don’t worry–your hard work will not go to waste. We will still use the articles but instead of publishing them on paper we are going to publish them to the web. Also, we will be able to publish all kinds of writing, projects, and artwork to this blog as we move through this first year at the Service Learning Academy. You will all be responsible for contributing to the maintenance of this webpage. It is important that we use proper spelling and mechanics and do lots of editing before we publish anything to the site. We have to help each other with editing so please let me know if you see any mistakes and we will correct them!

Kristy