Volunteers work with youth in communities on projects that promote engagement and active citizenship, including gender awareness, employability, health and HIV/AIDS education, environmental awareness, supporting programs, and infomation technology.

If you choose Youth in Development, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Social Work
• Sociology
• Family Studies
• Psychology
• Sports and Recreation Management
• Coaching Education

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as (but not limited to):

• Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs
• Volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg and Rockingham’s Mentorship Programming or with Second Home after school program
• Volunteering with The Reading Show/Gus Bus
• Volunteering with the Office on Children and Youth with annual data collection efforts
• Other activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling, and leadership, in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business.

This is a sample of service opportunities offered in the Harrisonburg community. Please visit Community Service-Learning for additional service opportunities and information about the Alternative Break Program. Paid and unpaid internships also can meet this requirement. Please see the University Career Center for internship opportunities.