LSM-USA Service-Learning Institute

Lutheran Student Movement-USA is pleased to sponsor the LSM-USA Service-Learning Institute (SLI), a training program designed to educate both students and campus ministry/ELCA College and University staff on the principles and pedagogy of service-learning. The Institute will engage 2010 ELCA Alternative Spring Break participants from 5 campuses in thoughtful service and theological reflection and provide each participating campus with a $1500 grant to off-set spring break costs. $1000 will be provided by January 1. The remaining $500 will be distributed after the alternative spring break experience and completion of SLI expectations.

Two participants from each campus (one student leader, one staff member) will participate with colleagues from around the country—trainers, coaches, and each other—to discover the principles of service-learning and its applications, via a 7-8 week online course leading up to their alternative spring break experience. This is a pilot training of the Sojourning Project, an inter-unit initiative of the ELCA focused on engaging short-term missions trip leaders in thoughtful preparation, reflection, evaluation and action as it concerns their travel experiences. Our goal is to engage in faithful practices that produce positive, life-changing outcomes for travelers and their host communities alike.

Additionally, LSM-USA will provide resources to support and mentor SLI participants, and will partially subsidize SLI participants’ registration for the August 2010 joint student/campus ministry staff conference in Chicago.