Service learning is a teaching method that utilizes classroom knowledge and equips students to apply that knowledge in real world situations. Students will develop leadership skills while reflecting on the needs of the community. This experience will allow students to gain academic knowledge and skills, interpersonal skills, self-confidence while becoming active social and economic problem solvers.

Service learning focuses on the learning of the service volunteer. Community service is more focused on the outcome for the community measured by the amount of time or work provided.

Goals and Purposes:

The aim is to positively direct the students’ commitment to their communities and beyond, understanding the problematic issues, helping others who are facing certain difficulties, promoting racial understanding & cultural amalgamation, and influencing social values.

Parts of Service Learning:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity
  • Collaboration
  • Communication

Project Ideas for Service Learning

 

What Counts as Service Hours in Your FCCLA Portal?

Service is about helping more than yourself – you take initiative and lead with purpose. Service should be voluntary. Before you click submit, ask yourself: “Did I volunteer for this? Am I receiving a grade? Was I required to participate? Did I benefit financially from this?”

Examples of what service can include:

  • Youth leadership: working with younger children or students in their personal or academic development.
  • Soup kitchens or food banks: contributing to the community by preparing meals, setting up trays, or assisting with the packaging of nonperishable food items.

What Does NOT Count as Service Hour?

While many activities may be considered service, not all qualify for service hours in the FCCLA portal. Examples of activities that do NOT count as service hours, and reasons why:

  • Any service that benefits you, or that you gain monetary value from. (Service hours are supposed to be voluntary. Therefore, getting paid for the service does not count.) e.g. Babysitting
  • Any service that you are required to do. (If you are required to do the service, it is not voluntary.) e.g. Working concession stands as a sports team obligation, serving as a teacher’s aide, or completing a school project for which you receive a grade.

 

How to Track Service Hours:

Service-Learning hours are tracked from March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026. Members will be awarded a certificate based on hours submitted in the National FCCLA Student Affiliation Portal under My FCCLA Journey – My Service. Members will need to include Service Date, Event Name, # of Hours, and Details for each logged entry.

Step by Step Instructions – How to Track Your Service Hours

Individual Service Certificate Levels:

  • Bronze Level (up to 20service hours)
  • Silver Level (21 to 75 service hours)
  • Gold Level (76 to 100 service hours)
  • Platinum Level (100 plus service hours and on-stage recognition at State Leadership Conference)

2026 State Leadership Conference Recipients:

Chapters

  • Bellefontaine High School
  • Bellevue High School
  • Berne Union High School
  • Black River High School
  • Buckeye Career Center Culinary II
  • Butler Tech – Ross High School
  • Butler Tech – Talawanda High School
  • Cambridge High School
  • East Knox High School
  • Eastland Career Center Culinary Arts 1
  • Eastland Career Center Culinary Arts 2
  • Fairlawn High School – Upper Valley Career Center
  • Fairview High School
  • Ft. Loramie Jr./Sr. High School – Upper Valley Career Center
  • Graham High School 1 Ohio Hi-Point Career Center
  • Graham High School 2 Ohio Hi-Point Career Center
  • Greenville High School ECE Junior
  • Greenville High School ECE Senior
  • Jackson Center Jr./Sr. High School – Upper Valley Career Center
  • Licking Valley High School
  • Logan-Hocking Middle School
  • Lucas Jr./Sr. High School – Pioneer Career & Technology Center
  • Lynchburg-Clay High School
  • Mogadore Jr./Sr. High School
  • Ohio Hi-Point Career Center- Main Campus 1
  • Ohio Hi-Point Career Center- Main Campus 2
  • Ontario High School
  • Otsego High School – Penta Career Center
  • Ripley Union Lewis Huntington High School
  • Ross Middle School
  • Russia High School-Upper Valley Career Center
  • Shelby High School – Pioneer Career & Technology Center
  • South Gallia High School
  • Southeastern Jr./Sr. High School
  • Spencerville Local Schools
  • Stow Munroe Falls High School
  • Tallmadge High School
  • Woodridge High School

Platinum Level

  • Bellevue High School: Maddy R.
  • Cambridge High School: Kaedence H.
  • Eastland Career Center Culinary Arts 1: Kendall N.
  • Fairview High School: Ruby E.
  • Graham High School 1 Ohio Hi-Point Career Center: John L.
  • Graham High School 2 Ohio Hi-Point Career Center: Lexus S.
  • Greenville High School ECE Junior: Caitlyn W.
  • Greenville High School ECE Junior: Chloe P.
  • Greenville High School ECE Junior: Kenszie G.
  • Greenville High School ECE Junior: Kylar H.
  • Greenville High School ECE Senior: Isabell S.
  • Jackson Center Jr./Sr. High School – Upper Valley Career Center: Corinne Y.
  • Ohio Hi-Point Career Center- Main Campus 1: Hailee C.
  • Russia High School-Upper Valley Career Center: Cora H.
  • Woodridge High School: Lola M.
  • Woodridge High School: Sarah B.

Service Learning Certificates