If one of your goals is to help members learn about what’s happening around them, consider using observation research. A fun way to develop their skills of observation is to schedule a community walk. It enables students to identify real needs that the club can address through service. Consider doing the walk after the club completes Community Mapping (Builders Club Service Toolkit, pages 8-10) and records the places they know across the community.
Choose one area of focus for your walk. On the walk, On the walk, instruct members to observe their surroundings — focusing on the people and places around them. Provide a list of questions to help them make observations:
- Do you notice people, animals or natural spaces that need help?
- Are there community centers, libraries or other spaces where people can gather?
- Are there medical facilities, hospitals or health clinics where people can go for help?
- What grocery stores, food pantries, convenience stores, gas stations or community gardens give people access to food? What types of food?
- What types of organizations and businesses are in the community?
After the outing, gather as a group to discuss and record what everyone noticed. These questions can prompt member discussion:
- Were there animals or people in distress that the club could immediately help?
- Do people in the community have access to medical care and healthy food?
- Were there organizations or businesses the club can work with to help the community?
- Were there organizations that the club might want to donate money or items to — or that they may want to educate other students about?
Using notes from the discussion, the club can develop a list of amazing service project ideas to include in the club’s activities for the year.