We're just 45 days away from the 2^nd Annual National Learn & Serve Challenge.  Now is the perfect time for you to join your peers from around the country to shine the spotlight on service-learning in your local schools and community.

What is the National Learn & Serve Challenge?

The National Learn & Serve Challenge, October 6-12, 2008, is a concentrated week of special events and activities designed to spotlight service-learning successes around the country.  It is also designed to show support for Learn and Serve America and inspire other schools and communities to launch their own service-learning initiatives.

What Can You Do?

Below is a list of simple, but important ways you can participate:

1. Host a service-learning t-shirt or button day at your school or organization. Visit the Learn & Serve Challenge Online Store where you may purchase buttons, t-shirts, and other items on an as-needed basis.  Use the Host a Button or T-Shirt Day Activity Tip Sheet for more planning hints and good ideas.

If you're looking for a cost-effective way to show your service-learning pride, create your own stickers using labels.   Just email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive a copy of the Learn & Serve Challenge logos that you can use to create your own stickers, buttons, or t-shirts. 

2.  Make a presentation to your local school board and/or city council.  Make sure service-learning is not the best kept secret in your school or community.  Use the Challenge as an opportunity to make key leaders aware of how service-learning is transforming lives and improving schools and communities right in their own backyard.  Download the Make a Presentation Activity Tip Sheet to learn more.

3. Include a service-learning update in your school or organization's newsletter or website.  Download sample text for newsletters, email announcements, and website features. 

4. Show the Bring Learning to Life Public Service Announcement or another service-learning video during an upcoming staff or board meeting.  Make plans to show the video to local community leaders and civic or service clubs, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Kiwanis, or Rotary Clubs.    Download the public service announcement to your computer or request a free copy today.

5. Set up a service-learning booth or exhibit table as part of key community events, such as a local football game or Back to School night. Use the Host an Open House Tip Sheet for more planning ideas.

6. This is a great time to start putting together the pieces for securing a proclamation from your mayor, city council members, governor, state superintendent, or board of education.  Allow four to six weeks to complete this process.  For step by step instructions, visit: http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/proclamation.php

And here’s the most important part.  Once you decide how your school or organization is going to participate in the National Learn & Serve Challenge, let us know how you’re going to Accept the Challenge.  Add your local event or activity to the listing of activities updated on the website regularly so that we can spread the news about how people are accepting the Challenge around the country.

Register your Challenge event by Friday, September 5, 2008 and become eligible to win an official “Learn & Serve Challenge Gift Bag,” which includes a variety of items from the Learn & Serve Challenge Online Store you can use to celebrate service-learning in your own school or community.  Register today!