Service-Learning in Afterschool Programs: Resources for Afterschool Educators

Created by and for afterschool educators!

Featuring:

Tried and true tools and examples from elementary, middle and high school afterschool programs

Seven elements of high quality service-learning in afterschool programs

Five easy steps to service-learning in afterschool programs

For over two decades, service-learning has been used as an instructional strategy in the classroom by more and more elementary and secondary school teachers to advance student learning through meaningful community service.

Seven afterschool programs in California have joined together, through the California Afterschool Service-Learning initiative (CASSL) to implement, study, and document the ways in which service-learning can be similarly effective in the afterschool setting. 

Their best practices, challenges and triumphs are shared in this publication, structured around two frameworks that facilitated their activity development: the “Seven Elements of High Quality Service-Learning” and “Five Steps To Service-Learning in Afterschool Programs.”

Each of the Seven Elements is defined with a brief set of indicators, specific grade-level examples from the afterschool programs, along with general tips for success.  Each of the Five Steps is also defined with specific grade-level examples and tips, along with a few helpful tools that facilitated implementation of that step at the afterschool sites. 

All resources are directly and authentically based on the work of your afterschool colleagues who have “been there and done that.”  This very grass-roots compilation of examples and tips will be your most practical resource if you choose to make service-learning an integral part of your afterschool program!

Visit our Publications page for ordering information.

Download (pdf): Service-Learning: A Strategy for Success in Afterschool

For information about Youth Service California's recent Summer Institute, Service-Learning in Afterschool, please click here.