LINKS
Service Learning
in the Recreation and Leisure Services Program
Students enrolled in Recreation and Leisure Services courses have contributed
thousands of hours in service to the following organizations and agencies:
Murray and Mayfield YMCA, Boy and Girl Scouts, National Scouting Museum,
Murray-Calloway County Parks, Murray Public Schools, 4-H, FFA, Watch, Inc.,
Campus Recreation, Residential Colleges, Land Between the Lakes, Wildcat
Creek Campground, numerous churches, seven facilities providing care to
the elderly in Calloway Co., Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Murray-Calloway
County Hospital, Hospice, Miller Golf Course, Kentucky and Tennessee State
Parks, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and more.
Students Aren’t Just Recreating in the Parks
Through grants and service learning, students have contributed over 1000
volunteer hours of service to the Murray-Calloway County Parks. This service
has taken many forms including removing three substandard bridges and building
seven new ones, re-directing trails to make them more accessible, as well
as designing, purchasing and installing interpretive and informational signage
for all of the park trails. In addition, students developed a map of park
trails, removed over fifty tires and other debris from the park, placed
birdhouses, developed a tree planting and maintenance program and planted
over 100 trees. All of these service-learning projects were funded through
a variety of grants totaling close to $100,000. Other park improvements
supported by these grants include a $20,000 steel bridge connecting two
soccer fields, restoration of a tobacco barn and old schoolhouse, paved
exercise trails, lighting, trashcans, park benches, and picnic pavilions.
