Lowell Whiteman School

The Community Project provides students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a local organization. Their participation in the planning, daily work, and weekly reflection and evaluation of the Project helps them develop the leadership skills and personal qualities that lead to a lifestyle of stewardship.

History of Program Growth
The Lowell Whiteman School (LWS) has evolved with the changing needs of its students. In 1957, Whiteman students participated in a Foreign Travel Program due to the limited access to campus during mud season. In 1988, LWS added competitive skiing as a program option in order to address enrollment challenges. Today, we are experiencing a change in the composition and needs of our student population and see an opportunity to expand and strengthen our curricula. In response to this growing need, the Experiential Program is offering the Community Project to further support the LWS mission.

The Community Project
As with all programs at LWS, this pilot Community Project supports the school’s mission by preparing students “to serve as passionate stewards of our human and natural worlds and to pursue responsible, creative lives.” Their participation in the planning, daily work, and weekly reflection and evaluation of their project will help them develop leadership skills and personal qualities that lead to a life of stewardship. The Community Project will enrich the depth of the Whiteman experience by expanding the educational opportunities available outside the traditional classroom.

Additionally, the Project will connect the School even more intimately with Steamboat Springs through outstanding student representatives.

Project Overview                         
Students participating in the Community Project will have the opportunity to work in a volunteer capacity for a non-profit or governmental agency. Students will come to an understanding of how the organization operates, budgets and governs. After completing this 4 week volunteer program, students will fully understand the agency’s philosophy and mission. Planning will begin in January and continue each week until the project begins. Ideally, the Community Project volunteer will be a junior or senior, but the project is open to responsible, independent sophomores. The Community Project volunteers, will carry a full load of classes throughout the year, and their school commitment during the month of April will be solely and entirely this project. The student will work six hours per day, five days a week. The sponsoring agency mentor, the Director of Experiential Education or the school’s program leader will oversee the student’s participation. The partnership between the organization and the student will ensure a depth of experience, demonstrate true service learning and cultivate citizenship in the student. A small stipend will be offered to the participating agency.