Sorting donations for a food bank. Cleaning animal enclosures. Fixing a bike. Organizing books for a children’s library. Making a craft with a local senior.
Small acts. But powerful ones.
This week, Senior School students at Trinity College School have been experiencing the ripple effect of how such small actions can create a meaningful difference in our community during the 12th Week Without Walls.
After a two-year hiatus, it was thrilling for our school community to have the opportunity to reignite this very special program that sees students and faculty undertake three days of service in the community. Preparations began on Friday, November 25th and Monday, November 28th. And on Tuesday, November 29th, groups were ready to give back!
More than 60 community partner sites were impacted by the students’ efforts, in Northumberland, Durham, Peterborough, Quinte and Toronto regions. Several sites were located here on campus, including a new initiative – the “hugelkulture” – where students are creating a raised garden bed by building a mound using organic debris topped with compost and soil.
We have also heard from our two international service trips, which departed over the weekend. The Island School group had the chance to explore the environmental facilities, such as the biodiesel system, solar power and aquaponics, at the campus in Eleuthera, Bahamas. They also learned about mangrove ecology and had a fun challenge to test their newfound knowledge of different fish species in the area. The group helped with planting and gardening on the campus farm, and took part in a beach clean-up.
The Panama group toured the capital city before heading to their residence for the week at Los Quetzales Ecolodge in Guadalupe. Students learned about hydroponic strawberry growing and volunteered at a reserve in the mountains, assisting with animal conservation. They have also worked at a local elementary school, where they helped build a greenhouse, prepare soil bags for the students to grow fruits and vegetables, and worked in the classrooms.
Whether near or far, students are experiencing valuable life lessons about their own ability to make a difference across a wide range of areas of need and, just as importantly, the value of creating bonds with our local communities. They are living our mission of developing habits of heart and mind for a life of purpose and service.
We hope you have had the chance to follow along with the Week Without Walls online. Check out our social media feeds for photos and more:
