MSW students go to burn camp: exploring social work values through service‐learning

Going to Camp Together: Lighting the Group Work Fire in a New Generation

“…A review of the social work education literature indicates that camp experiences have been used as service learning opportunities (Williams, King, & Koob, 2002;Williams & Reeves, 2004). This is a valuable type of learning, but it differs from Group Work Camp in that the students do not themselves occupy the role of camper/group member, and therefore only indirectly experience the power of a group on its members.…”

Needs Assessments: An Integrated Assignment in Civic Service

“…Anecdotal evidence obtained from the students who were enrolled as social majors during the two academic semesters indicates that at least two important learning outcomes were achieved through this integrated curricular service-learning project. A hallmark of experiential and service learning is purported to be the enhancement of student's civic awareness and responsibility (Paul, 2006;Ottenritter, 2004;Williams & Reeves, 2004;Abernathy & Obenchain, 2001;Carver, 1997;Tai-Seale, 2001;Butcher & Hall, 1998). Student comments received on course evaluations and sought in formal and informal discussions between students and faculty indicated that participating in the needs assessment projects had heightened their awareness of the local community's resource system and produced feelings of connection to the community in ways not experienced previously.…”

“…Reflective and critical thinking exercises that incorporate evidence-based practice and civic engagement principles are helpful tools for our teaching and program planning tool kits. As Goldstein proposes, education is an empowerment process best provided by experiential learning (Williams & Reeves, 2004). Experiential learning places the student in the midst of learning generalist skills in groups that share ''history.''…”

Training socially responsive health care graduates: Is service learning an effective educational approach?

“…Key issues identified and reported in a number of studies (e.g. Burrows et al, 1999;Elam et al, 2003;Williams & Reeves, 2004;Bentley & Ellison, 2005;Amerson, 2010;McMenamin et al, 2010;Green et al, 2011;Casey & Murphy, 2008;Groh et al, 2011;Long et al, 2011;Zucchero, 2011) include: (i) self-awareness, (ii) communication skills, (iii) leadership skills, (iv) capacity to accept and tolerate diversity, (iv) cultural competence, and (vi) capacity to connect and build relationships with others.…”

“…SL provides opportunities for students to critically examine their values and belief systems through reflective practice which prompts questions about personal stereotypes and prejudices (Williams & Reeves, 2004;Casey & Murphy, 2008;Faria et al, 2010;McMenamin et al, 2010;Green et al, 2011;Mitschke & Petrovich, 2011;Zucchero, 2011) .…”