Explorations Supports Students Through Service Learning

Blueprint Education, a nonprofit educational organization, is pleased to announce new high school courses, Service Learning 1 & 2, that helped provide academic credits to student volunteers at Explorations in a unique partnership with Global Volunteers Montana.

Explorations, a dynamic small, outdoor, residential and travel life experiential program for teens and their families, partnered with Global Volunteers Montana to participate in a variety of meaningful projects on the Blackfeet Reservation, including planting gardens for families, recreational activities with young children, volunteering at the local Boys and Girls Club, and major painting projects to benefit the community. The students each contributed more than 40 hours of service on the project of their choice! They participated in a traditional sweat lodge, and helped prepare for and attended the Sun Dance. They were also treated to a children's rodeo on the reservation, and ended the trip with a hike in Glacier National Park.

"This week, the fundamental theme was "giving back", and the rewards and lessons related to civic responsibility will be used as a touchstone for the individual growth of our students. The incredible added value to all of this is that each student earned a Service Learning credit for their participation through Blueprint Education," states Penny James, Director and Co-Founder of Explorations.

"Through serving others, young adults discover firsthand the impact that one person can have in a community. The lessons in personal development and civic responsibility are priceless. We are pleased that these experiences can be validated with academic credits," states Brenda Baer, Director of Distance Learning at Blueprint. The Service Learning courses integrate meaningful community service with academic standards, specifically workplace standards.

Blueprint Education programs and courses provide quality standards for sound educational programs established by several accrediting agencies. The NCA and AdvancED accreditation covers Blueprint Education educational courses in all six North American accrediting regions as well as internationally. It is certified as a Distance Education Provider by the State of Arizona.

Visit www.explorationsmt.com, www.globalvolunteers.org/usa/montana_projects.asp or www.blueprinteducation.org for more information on how your group can earn credits for your community based projects.