1. John Roberts

2. Service Learning “Service-learning is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting that combines academic classroom curriculum with meaningful service, frequently youth service, throughout the community. As a teaching methodology, it falls under the philosophy of experiential education. More specifically, it integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, encourage lifelong civic engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service- learning

3. Benefits Of Service Learning Benefits for Youth Participants  Increased access to the range of supports and opportunities they need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.  Increased sense of self-efficacy, as young people learn that they can impact real social challenges, problems, and needs.  Higher academic achievement and interest in furthering their education.  Enhanced problem-solving skills, ability to work in teams, and planning abilities.  Enhanced civic engagement attitudes, skills and behaviors. http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/cb_facts/benefits_cbosl /

4. Service Projects Blazer Build The Blazer Build was where the VSU football team got together with Habitat For Humanity. The day we volunteered to do this it was nasty weather, so we were in a warehouse building walls for houses. This was hard work, but it was well worth it when we saw the finished house.

5. At the Blazer Build

6. Building Walls

7. Blazer Build

8. Meet The Blazers  Meet The Blazers was where one Saturday the VSU football team let all of the kids in the community of Valdosta come out and run through some drills with us guys.  At the end of the day the kids got t-shirts and pictures of us, and we signed them for the kids.  I enjoyed working with these kids, because most of them were willing to learn what we were teaching them.

9. The Great American Clean Up  The Great American Clean Up is an organization that puts groups of people together on certain days and they clean up America.  My group was posted in Hahira, GA..  We cleaned up the city one Saturday.  It really was not that bad because all of the people in the community were very appreciative.  It is a great organization to get involved with.

10. Picking Trash Up In Hahira