Program Information:
This summer we are hosting two, month-long service learning programs designed to engage teenage students in meaningful volunteer service in their community. Selected students will help address food insecurity in NWA through our food donation program which provides students and families with fresh, nutritious food grown from our teaching farm.
For approximately 40 hours over the month of June or July, students in this program will:
-Learn about our food donation efforts to address food and nutrition insecurity
-Harvest, weigh, wash, and prepare fruits and vegetables for donation
-Support the growth of the plants in our garden
-Distribute the produce to our partner sites
To conclude the experience, teens will have the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate their contributions to the community through a farm to table pizza party. We're excited to provide two sessions of this program and help teens gain real-world experience, help solve real problems in the community, learn new skills, make new social connections, and expand their perspective. The hours from this program can count toward the volunteer hours requirement to graduate.
Program Suggested Donation:
To help support the education, mentorship, and skill development that is provided to teens through this service learning program, a suggested donation of $165-500 is requested. The parent/guardian listed will receive a notification from Apple Seeds of this upon selection into the program. If your family is unable to support a donation at this time, you may still apply to and be a part of the program.
Program Schedule:
There will be two sessions of the service learning program- one in June and one in July. Students will have the opportunity to select their preferred session in the application.
A formal orientation will take place on the first day of programming. Starting the week of June 3rd through the week of June 24th, and the week of July 8th through the week July 29th, students will spend 4 hours harvesting, gardening, and participating in program education on Monday and Thursday each week of the program.
June session dates:
Week of June 3: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Week of June 10: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Week of June 17: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Week of June 24: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
July session dates:
Week of July 8: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Week of July 15: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Week of July 22: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Week of July 29: Monday and Thursday mornings, 4 hours each day
Additionally, students will sign up for 2 days during the program to assist our team for 3 hours each day distributing the harvested produce to students and families at our pantry partner sites. This will likely be on Tuesdays and Fridays. The exact days and times available for students to sign up will be shared at the program orientation.
Application Instructions:
This application should be completed by the student who is interested in participating. Please note that uploading a letter of reference from a teacher or employer is a part of the application so be sure to account for that in your application planning.
Questions?
For additional information or questions you have about the program, please contact Apple Seeds Volunteer Coordinator, Josie Tilley, at volunteer@appleseedsnwa.org
Special accommodations:
Apple Seeds aims to be inclusive of all individuals and will strive to make reasonable accommodations. Due to limited training of our staff and resources available to provide support, this program would not be suitable for teens with certain emotional, developmental, behavioral or medical challenges. Should considerable accommodations be necessary, please contact Ryan Patterson, Program Director at ryan@appleseendsnwa.org prior to completing this application to determine our ability to make necessary accommodations.
