By Sylvia Blair

On a brisk and colorful fall weekend, student leaders of various campus clubs and organizations at Carroll Community College went to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to participate in the Chester River Retreat. In addition to enjoying the wildlife and beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, the students tested their leadership skills through an adventure challenge trail and other outdoor activities. Most importantly, the students helped the Chester River Association (CRA) in their efforts to promote stewardship of Maryland’s valuable watersheds by assisting with their “Great Pumpkin Party.”

The event, which joins the community through music, food and games along Chestertown’s Riverfront dock, was a service learning project for the Carroll Community College students. As volunteers, students approached members of the local public to educate them about the CRA’s initiatives to clean up the Chester River watershed. They distributed membership and promotional information to the community, in addition to their hands-on help with the event.

“Our students were really engaged in the project and took their role seriously,” said Anne Davis, coordinator of Service Learning at the college. “When the boats arrived at the riverfront with pumpkins, our students provided the bulk of the workforce in unloading the pumpkins from authentic Chesapeake Bay workboats by forming a fire brigade as the public watched.”

Nineteen-year-old Steve Barnett, a General Studies major, said he participated in the retreat because “I like to take advantage of everything Carroll has to offer. This retreat was time well spent. I enjoyed interacting with the other club leaders because the group was so diverse and there are many points of view to observe. I am extremely pleased I was granted such a chance to grow.”

“The mission of our service learning initiative is to enhance student learning through active service to the community while encouraging civic awareness, personal leadership development and an understanding of how students fit into the larger world outside the classroom,” said Davis.

“I believe the retreat served this purpose,” said Davis. “There was cohesiveness among the leaders of campus clubs and organizations, as well as a greater understanding of service-learning experiences. The greater vision is that these leaders will bring this spirit of teamwork and service back to their individual clubs and organizations.”

“There is nothing more exciting than seeing students develop a greater understanding of themselves and the issues facing our communities through service experiences,” said Davis.

Bonnie Coffman, Michelle Schrader, Jeana Biondo, and Jennifer Judge handed out promotional materials for the Chester River Association.

Joshua Smith and PJ Ward-Brown help unload pumpkins for the “Great Pumpkin Party,” a promotional event of the Chester River Association.

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