In order to earn community service hours from Rustic Pathways, students will be expected to participate fully in all of the service activities that are a part of the program. Full participation means that students:
- Complete assigned tasks to the best of their abilities;
- Respect local hosts and host cultures, Rustic Pathways staff, and the environment;
- Follow instructions from program leaders and local project leaders;
- Dress appropriately and respectfully;
- Actively and positively influence group morale
What counts towards Community Service Hours?
Direct Service:
Service hours are typically based on how much time students are engaged in direct service such as working on a construction project, cleaning up a beach, leading English lessons with local students, and other hands-on projects.
Indirect Service:
Some programs award service hours for indirect service. Indirect service hours are awarded for time spent in activities that are necessary and preparatory for student-led projects that have a direct community benefit. For example, a program may award service hours for meetings conducted with local NGOs that prepare students to develop a health awareness campaign.
Project Preparation:
Activities such as preparing lessons and activities for educational enrichment projects or arranging materials for a construction-based project are included in service hour awards.
What does not count towards a Rustic Pathways Service Hour?
Travel Time:
Travel to a project site is not included in service hour awards.
Breaks and Lunch:
Short rest breaks taken during a project activity are included in the service hours awarded on a given day, although lunch breaks and extended breaks from the project work are not included.
What happens when a project is canceled?
If a scheduled activity cannot take place (due to weather, changes on the part of the project partner, or other reasons), Rustic Pathways will work to identify alternative projects, hold a relevant service-related discussion or a planning session for a future project to make up the service hours that were planned for that time. If alternate activities are not possible, students cannot be awarded hours for that time.