Lower School Summer of Service
Focus on the "Passion" in Compassion
Elementary school-aged children are idealistic, passionate people, who care about other’s feelings and what is right. Lean into these traits when guiding your child to do age-appropriate service and build on what your child already loves to do.
What is your child’s passion? Does your son love animals? Does your daughter talk to you non-stop about saving the planet? Do your kids love to read? Think about how your child’s interests could be turned into a project that benefits others and reinforces his/her understanding of how to act with compassion.
Ideas for Elementary School Children
Animal Lovers
With parent help and participation, collect pet foods from neighbors to go to a local food pantry or the Utah Food Bank and they will distribute to people who need food for their pets. Or contact an animal welfare organization to see what types of donations they need. Old towels and blankets as well as leashes are often needed by shelters.
Be a Friend
Refugee children are being resettled in our community every week and they come to our community with next to nothing. Contact Catholic Community Services or the International Rescue Committee and ask if there is a child who is your age that you could support with a new outfit or game. Who knows, you might even be able to meet that child and make a new friend.
Save the Planet: Grow a Row
By growing your own food, you are saving fuels that are spent in shipping and trucking food to local stores (not to mention the gas saved by fewer trips to the market). Be in charge of part of your family’s garden and collect some or all of that produce for a local food bank. Your efforts will not only benefit the environment but also families-in-need.
Book Worms
If you love books, then you are probably in need of more space for your books. Go through you books and create more bookshelf space by donating ones you’ve outgrown to an organization that supports children’s literacy.
Great American Bake Sale
Create and host a bake sale to end childhood hunger. This annual event benefits Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger in America. Their website has great ideas for where to host your bake sale and you can donate your proceeds on-line and be part of the movement to make sure no child goes to bed hungry.
Bridging the Generation Gap
By helping an elderly neighbor with yard work or even being a friendly regular visitor, you will help your older friend feel more connected to the community and reassure him that the world is in good hands with your generation. You’ll also learn a lot from your older and wiser companion. Ask your parent to go with you to start the relationship off on the right foot and soon you’ll be visiting on your own.
