Participants must gather the facts, learn required skills, and design a clear plan of action. Preparation is key in providing a successful service learning experience for participants. The service must meet a specific need in the community, and be meaningful and challenging. Reflection may be the most important part of service learning. It provides participants the opportunity to think about their service experience after each service activity through discussion, journal keeping, art, etc.
Celebration is a time for participants to be recognized for their accomplishments.
Celebration encourages on-going participation by youth and senior adult participants. Celebration and recognition are an on-going art of every successful service learning program. Find out what teachers are doing in service learning and congratulate their work. Communicate with teachers and faculty. Involve them in project planning and invite them to participate in project implementation.