WalkAbout Program Spotlight
The WalkAbout Program
WalkAbout, a service-learning program for middle school students, is a National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) Summer of Service Initiative. WalkAbout engages students five days a week for six weeks in community-based service-learning projects. The program is designed to help students assess the needs of their community and address those needs through service-learning activities that are tied to academic programs.
Last summer, the WalkAbout program was located along the Gulf Coast in areas most affected by Hurricane Katrina. At each of the five sites (Moss Point, Mississippi, Picayune, Mississippi, Port Arthur and Groves, Texas, and two in New Orleans, Louisiana) 5th through 8th graders helped in the recovery of their community. The program worked with youth in school districts where at least 50 percent of students were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The curriculum of WalkAbout is aligned with national and state standards and focuses on three areas: environmental preparedness, emergency preparedness, and oral history. Students participate in hands-on service projects at least once a week, with the remaining time spent planning projects and reflecting on their experience.
This week, we had a class swap to experience a different approach to learning. Then we discussed our play about hurricane preparedness. We also talked about our skills for listening and trust to believe in one another. By swapping classes, we found out how others learn about things. The second activity was a trust test to show how much you can believe in somebody. If you did not trust that person you would fall and hurt yourself.
- Gerald, participant
“I think it can be very fun to use this program to enhance my speech, etiquette and team work abilities.”
- Theodore, participant
“I figured out that if I helped someone, good things will come back to you.”
- Willie, participant
To learn more about WalkAbout and Resources for Recovery, its parent program at the NYLC, visit their page on the NYLC site.
WalkAbout, a service-learning program for middle school students, is a National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) Summer of Service Initiative. WalkAbout engages students five days a week for six weeks in community-based service-learning projects. The program is designed to help students assess the needs of their community and address those needs through service-learning activities that are tied to academic programs.
Last summer, the WalkAbout program was located along the Gulf Coast in areas most affected by Hurricane Katrina. At each of the five sites (Moss Point, Mississippi, Picayune, Mississippi, Port Arthur and Groves, Texas, and two in New Orleans, Louisiana) 5th through 8th graders helped in the recovery of their community. The program worked with youth in school districts where at least 50 percent of students were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The curriculum of WalkAbout is aligned with national and state standards and focuses on three areas: environmental preparedness, emergency preparedness, and oral history. Students participate in hands-on service projects at least once a week, with the remaining time spent planning projects and reflecting on their experience.
This week, we had a class swap to experience a different approach to learning. Then we discussed our play about hurricane preparedness. We also talked about our skills for listening and trust to believe in one another. By swapping classes, we found out how others learn about things. The second activity was a trust test to show how much you can believe in somebody. If you did not trust that person you would fall and hurt yourself.
- Gerald, participant
“I think it can be very fun to use this program to enhance my speech, etiquette and team work abilities.”
- Theodore, participant
“I figured out that if I helped someone, good things will come back to you.”
- Willie, participant
To learn more about WalkAbout and Resources for Recovery, its parent program at the NYLC, visit their page on the NYLC site.