Students at SAS are required to complete 15 hours of community service for each year they are in the Upper School. From dish duty in the cafeteria, to work in a local food ministry, to just being mindful on a daily basis of the needs of others, our service is born of our sense of responsibility for the community we live in.
When students know their neighbors, it's hard not to lend a hand when one is needed.
Looking for Service Ideas?
- The Sisters of St. Mary's in Sewanee appreciate for garden help.
- Do Something.org is a youth-led organization that gets you involved locally and across the country.
- Points of Light -- browse their database for a plethora of DIY projects and ways to volunteer online.
- Smithsonian Institution Digital Volunteers -- transcribe documents and add them to the Smithsonian's digital collection.
- Translators without Borders -- put your language skills to use!
- Project Gutenberg + Distributed Proofreaders -- contribute to the largest collection of free ebooks by transcribing or proofreading.
- Donate items to the Community Action Committee's food pantry in Sewanee.
If you are interested in on-the-ground (contact-less) service opportunities in Sewanee, please contact Mrs. Malde, and she will connect you with a local organization that needs your help!
Past Projects
Recent large-scale community service projects include:
- Helping with flood clean-up in Waverly, Tenn.
- Building bleachers in Trenchtown, Jamaica
- Outreach through a local food ministry
- Singing at a home for senior citizens
- Trash pick up in the local community
- Fundraising for youth development projects in Guatemala
- Mountain Goat Trail clean-up
- Labor at Mountain T.O.P. retreat center
- Support for local animal shelters
- Fundraising for the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life
- Lending a hand for the University Farm's farm-to-table dinner
Independent Projects
Students also pursue independent short- and longterm service and volunteer opportunities. Some recent examples include:
- Running lights for a production at Nashville's Darkhorse Theatre
- Working as a volunteer firefighter with the Sewanee Fire Department
- Teaching orphans and refugees in Danang, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand
- Interning with the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
- Providing guest services at the Tennessee Aquarium
- Assisting teachers at Machanooga, the Jewish Sunday School in Chattanooga
- Volunteering at animal shelters, food pantries, and youth camps
- Helping classmates complete Eagle Scout projects
- Working with refugees in Chattanooga
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Community Service and Language and Cultural Immersion
For several years, SAS students have traveled to Monteverde, Costa Rica, for a service trip in partnership with The Cloud Forest School (Centro de Educación Creativa). They participated in environmental and construction projects, contributing to the school and the community of Monteverde. They also accrued 20-25 service hours during this trip.
While there, they also explored the vibrant towns of Santa Elena and Monteverde, gaining insights into Costa Rican culture. Local daily excursions have included ziplining, exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and more.
Zuni Outreach
Spring Break Outreach in New Mexico
Also for several years, faculty members have led students on a service trip to Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico. The students hosted a Spring Break Camp for elementary-aged children and worked on local home construction projects, including replacing a roof and painting. SAS partnered with Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, an indigenous-led non-profit that is focused on strengths-based enrichment for Zuni youth. Our students also explored the area and by hiking in the beautiful Petrified Forest National Park, El Morro National Monument, and Canyon de Chelly.
Jamaica Outreach
For almost a decade, SAS students returned annually to Kingston, Jamaica, for spring break service. Accompanied by faculty members, the students provided support to the populations of Trenchtown and Riverton. Over the years, the groups:
- Rebuilt a roof for a family for four
- Repainted and refurbished a historic community center in the Boys’ Town neighborhood
- Constructed and repaired stadium seating in the Boys’ Town soccer complex
- Tutored elementary and high school students in math, reading, and chemistry