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Grad Challenge 2016
Some Suggested Project Ideas
These project ideas are appropriate for Grad Challenge, independent study, class projects, or volunteering on
your own. The traits that community members look for in an exemplary volunteer are:
• Reliability – doing what you say you will do when you say you will do it.
• Learning – asking appropriate questions or suggesting improvement ideas.
• Helpfulness –Observing, finding ways to help out, being willing to do any task are all admirable work
practices.
• Preparedness – You should read any available information on the internet including the website of the
organization, plan your request or offer of assistance, and know your schedule. Be prepared to suggest a
time to meet.
The quality of your work is important, regardless of whether or not you are getting paid.
Possible Projects…
Check out the Direction Center Volunteering web page for a list of organizations and events.
Most organizations have projects that can be done on site volunteering. Most are also open to projects that include some
individual off-site work such as graphic design, fundraising, planning, etc.
St. George Schoolhouse Committee is looking for a student or students to help locate people who went to the
schoolhouse and would record some of their memories of being there either by writing or videotaping them. We do
have the names of many former students. Contact Thea Platt at 802 318-2805 or vtplatts@gmail.com
The Town of Shelburne has created a new program to encourage civic participation by CVU students. Up to two high
school students are now eligible to sit on each of its various commissions, boards, and committees. This is a wonderful
opportunity for anyone interested in politics and government or for a student looking to learn more about their local
community. This program was created because the Town of Shelburne wants your voice to be heard as part of the
democratic process. Students can serve on the following committees: Planning Commission, Development Review
Board, Social Services Committee, Cemetery Committee, Water Commission, Historic Preservation & Design Review
Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Bicycle & Pedestrian Paths Committee, Natural Resources & Conservation
Commission, Parks & Recreation Committee, Tree Advisory Committee, and Dog Park Committee. If you are
interested, please contact Shelburne’s Town Manager, Joe Colangelo, at jcolangelo@shelburnevt.org or call him 9855111.
SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course offered in Charlotte
KRIST IN HA RTLEY, RECREA TION@T OW NOFCHARL OT TE.CO M, RE CREAT ION CO OR D INAT OR, CHARL OT T E
We are happy to announce that the Charlotte Rec Dept. will be hosting a SOLO Wilderness First Aid
Course June 6-7th at the Town Offices. This course is a solid foundation in the basics of backcountry
medical care. This sis the perfect course for outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level
of first aid training for short trips with family, friends and outdoor groups. The WFA is a 16 hour long
(two day), and focuses on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal injuries,
Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies.
Registration forms are available at www.charlottevt.org. CPR will also be offered 5-7pm June 6th
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Community Cares Camp is a summer food service and enrichment camp for eastern Chittenden County. We provide
summer meals and a high quality day camp for kids k - 8 and an internship program for older teens. We create a
supportive community each summer and provide kids with the opportunity to try out arts, crafts, music, sports as they
are guided by caring older teens and adults. We level the playing field for lower income kids who usually won't have the
opportunity to attend a summer camp. Our activities help to fend off the summer academic slide and helps keeps kids
active. Our activities are creative and non-electronic. We teach cooking among other things. We encourage good
choices in food and behavior. Kids can also work in the garden. We are located in Richmond. Our camp is in operation
for 4 weeks in July from 8 - 12:30 Mon - Thurs. Community Cares Camp is located at Camels Hump Middle School, July 6
- 30, Monday - Thursday 8 - 12:30. For information, contact Executive Director Marie Thomas at occc@gmavt.net or
434-6006.
Champlain Maker Faire, Shelburne Coach Barn, October 4th and 5th,
If you are 15+ years old and would love to see Rabid Raving Robots, Bolts Volts and Jolts, Baffling Buoyant
Balloons, Mystical Musical Madness, LED lighting gone wild, Rockets blasting off, Quad-Copters, solder electronics,
a Champ (yes, the lake monster) robot challenge in the lake on Sunday, and curious about what “makers” in the
area have to share, then volunteer to help us setup the Champlain Mini Maker Faire on Friday October 3, or help us
collect/sell tickets and direct the public during the Champlain Mini Maker Faire on Saturday and Sunday, October 4
and 5. Each volunteer will get a T-shirt and one day admission for one to the
Faire.http://www.champlainmakerfaire.com/
CVU Disc Golf Course Project
Don’t know where this project is this year but worth checking out. Talk to Shep.
CVU has been considering putting in a disc golf course. It is in the planning stages.
This would be a wonderful senior project, working on it from soup to nuts.
Looking for a reliable, competent student who can help with research, design, presentation, process, budget,
ordering, installation, training, pr....
Shelburne Veterans’ Memorial Committee
The Shelburne Veterans' Memorial Committee in conjunction with the Shelburne Library seeks a Senior
Challenge student for a " Living Legacy" project. The goal is to interview and record veterans of WW2Afghanistan and create an ever-lasting history library for our community. Interviews will be conducted at the
Pierson Library. Librarian Lara Keenan will serve as Project Mentor. Contact person, Gail Feitelberg,
985-3656
Nature Conservancy
Nature Conservancy often has events that community members can join to rid our preserves of invasive species.
No experience is necessary and we will provide all equipment. If you would like to sign up, please email
volunteervt@TNC.ORG. We will respond with more details about dates and directions to sites. And please feel free
to email or call with any questions: Becky Cushing, AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator and Field Assistant
becky.cushing@tnc.org
(802) 229-4425 Ext. 111
Lewis Creek Association
Students could participate in project management and there would be great opportunities to help with some
science. This will be our 6th season and we have a pretty good understanding of the plant and the efficacy of
our current control method. We know that left to its own devises, frogbit plan will dominate a wetland, forming
dense mats that will cover all open water. Current control methods limit infestations to less than 20%. What
we haven't studied are:
•
the impact of frogbit on specific native and invasive plant species
• ecological response to alternate management strategies
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For more information, contact Bob Hyams 734-5630
Annual report: http://www.lewiscreek.org/european-frogbit-removal-project-2011
Green Mountain Audubon Center offers classes to young children.
Volunteers can help present information,
manage activities, work on the grounds, etc. Check out the website: http://vt.audubon.org/school-programs-0. If
interested, contact Daniel Schmidt, Education Manager, Green Mountain Audubon Center, 802-434-3068,
dschmidt@audubon.org, vt.audubon.org.
Shelburne Nursery School is looking for a local high school student to intern with our summer camp this year. 3- 5
year olds are participating in two camps, Adventures in Nature, Monday July 15- Friday July 19 and Nature's Designs,
Monday July 29- Friday August 2, 8:30am-11:45am. This would be a great opportunity for someone looking to learn
more about childhood development and would offer experience working with our summer camp head teacher and staff. If
interested, e-mail ShelburneNursery@gmail.com or call Katie Fieldson at 316-3222.
Fellowship of the Wheel, a 600+ member mountain bike advocacy group, has built and maintains close to
100 miles of sweet singletrack in Chittenden County. The trail coordinator is Andy Weis, a CVU grad. The
founder of FOTW, Hans Jenny, a contiguous landowner, Fred Spencer and Steve Fischer, a local dentist, are
spearheading reclamation of the Lake Iroquois Connector. This is a dormant trail that connected the Lake
Iroquois Rec Trails to Mud Pond in Williston. The trail is a 45 minute trail thru some beautiful topography.
Looking for a CVU senior who is interested in spearheading this project. Landowners need be spoken
with,perhaps some funds raised for trail design, upon approval of landowners, collecting volunteers to clean-up
and rebuild the trail. Steve Fischer President of FOTW is the contact person. His cell is (802) 598-3912. He
live in Hinesburg.
Jim’s House is a non-profit located at 1266 Old Creamery Rd in Williston that provides temporary lodging
(B&B) for people with neurological issues who are receiving medical services at FAHC. This is a 4-acre
property with a pond and vegetable garden that requires maintenance and project work. The caretaker is Pete
Crevier who has a background in electronics and building with wood and metal. He is looking for help with the
property and is open to discussing possible projects. After completing hours for Grad Challenge, there is an
option to continue as a paid job. For more information or to converse about the possibilities, please contact Pete
Crevier at 864-5896. Jim’s House website is located at http://www.jimshouse.org/index.html.
Beekeeping. Beekeeper who keeps six hives at Wake Robin in Shelburne would like to invite a CVU student to
help learn about beekeeping for grad Challenge. Ted Albers has been a Community Consultant in the past and
knows CVU. Photos at http://ted-albers.net/2012-Fall.html . Contact Ted Albers at (802) 985- 660-5007 or
email Ted@ted-albers.net
Camp Invention at SCS is looking for a few high school students to assist with a summer camp and provide
leadership to the counselors in training and the elementary students who will be participating. Contact Devon
Morrill at dmorrill@cssu.org 802-985-3331 X 253.
Assisting Coaching Youth Lacrosse - Andy and Alice McClellan of Shelburne, both coach and represent youth
lacrosse in the district and could connect students with appropriate teams and coaches. Contact Shelburne
Recreation Dept or David Richardson at drichardson@cvuhs.org
The Town of Hinesburg is looking for student representation on the following committees. To volunteer,
contact Joe Colangelo, Hinesburg Town Administrator, (w) 802.482.2281x221, (M) 802.355.6848,
jcolangelo@hinesburg.org
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Affordable Housing Committee develops plans which will help to increase the availability of affordable
housing Agency Request Review Committee evaluates and prioritizes requests for funding appropriations
from social service agencies that serve the residents of our community,
Conservation Commission operates as an advisory board to the local Development Review Board, Planning
Commission, and Select Board. The Conservation Commission is also responsible for the management of
Geprags Community Park and recommending expenditures from the Land Conservation Fund for local projects.
Economic Development Committee develops a 5-year Strategic Economic Development Plan to help recruit,
vet, promote, and aid Hinesburg business owners and developers to work amicably and efficiently
Planning Commission updates the Town Plan, Zoning By-laws, Subdivision Regulations and other projects
related to land-use planning in the Town.
Recreation Commission oversees the operations of the Recreation Department in an advisory fashion, reviews
and designs programs and policies based on the needs and wants of the community
Town Forest Committee provides stewardship for both the 837-acre Hinesburg Town Forest (HTF) and the
301-acre LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest (LHTF).
Village Steering Committee is responsible for gathering, generating and prioritizing ideas and plans which will
help to enhance the quality of life in the village.
CVU Orientation Video Videographer – work with Administrator to design, film, and create a welcoming
orientation video for incoming freshman and transfer students. See MaryAnne Gatos
The Cross Vermont Trail is a project to improve and expand local trails - with the eventual goal of a creating
a complete state wide network "connecting communities, their schools, and the natural areas between." Maps
and more information at www.crossvermont.org. The state wide route follows the Winooski River valley and
the Wells River valley. We are gradually working to develop an interpretive guide to the natural and cultural
history of these two rivers, as a way of helping people understand and get a feel for the landscape through
which the trail goes. Cross Vermont Trail would like to incorporate the work of students from local schools in
this interpretive material. For more information, contact Greg Western, Cross Vermont Trail Association, cell:
802-655-6051 email: greg@crossvermont.org
Grad Challenge Videographer – Create the Grad Challenge video. Mary Anne Gatos is looking for a student
interested in film studies/video to create, film, edit, and produce a video about the process of Grad Challenge.
See Mary Anne Gatos (mgatos@cvuhs.org) in the Direction Center if interested.
Art Teacher’s Assistant—Sue Mahren is looking for a teaching assistant at her summer art camp for children.
The class is at her house in Charlotte and runs Mon to Fri from 9 am to 3 pm. Call Sue Mahren at 734-8072.
The Arbors—The Arbors is a local senior living community in Shelburne that focuses on individuals with
Alzheimer's Disease and related memory impairments. The Arbors is looking for dedicated and interested
students that would work with residents at The Arbors and be involved in many activities. Call 318-4445 and
ask to speak with Community Volunteer Coordinator.
Art Summer Camps—Contact some local art camps in the area and see if they need summer help, either as a
counselor or another role. Some ideas include Burlington City Arts, The Shelburne Craft School etc.
Buddy Program assistant—Mary Anne Gatos is looking for an individual with prior experience in the Buddy
Program who is interested in assisting in the organization of CVU’s Buddy Program. See Mary Anne Gatos in
the Direction Center if interested.
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Teen Opps—Teenopps.org is a local website aimed to help students find jobs, volunteering opportunities,
internships and other experiences. The TeenOpps team is looking for someone to help manage and update the
website. This would be a great experience for anyone interested in website creation, design, and management.
Email TeenOpps at contact@teenopps.org to help out.
Charlotte News—The Charlotte News is looking for student reporters to report and write articles on matters
such as school board meetings, and other happenings at CVU that many people around town don’t know about.
The student writer would be an eye into CVU for town residents who aren’t as knowledgeable about CVU
activities. Contact Rowen Beck at rowanbeck@gmavt.net for more information.
Town Recreation Departments—Many Grad Challenges have been connected with the recreation departments
of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Williston and Shelburne. In the past, students have been teachers, coaches, referees,
umpires, and other significant roles and have had a blast working with kids and sports.
Charlotte Recreation: Deb Stone 425-6129 ext 204;
Hinesburg Recreation: Jennifer McCuin 482-2281 ext. 230;
Shelburne Recreation: Betsy Cieplicki 985-9551;
Williston Recreation: Kevin Finnegan 878-1239
Cross Vermont Trail Association—The Cross Vermont Trail Association is a project aiming to create a bike
trail across the width of Vermont. Visit their website at www.crossvermont.org and contact Greg Western, the
Trail Programs Coordinator at 802-498-0079 ext. 2 or greg@crossvermont.org.
Green Up Day—For the past 42 years, Green Up Day has been a unifying day where Vermonters all over the
state come together to clean up Vermont. The event is almost like a state holiday, and is very important within
the state. Green Up Day organizers are very busy throughout the year, and they would appreciate some help.
Either email greenup@greenupvermont.org or call 229-4586 the Green Up Day office for more information.
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library—The Dorthy Alling Library in Williston is looking for volunteers. Call the
library and see if they have any other possible roles that could be considered for a Grad Challenge project.
Feed My Starving Children—Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization that raises money and
packs food to send off to malnutrition children all over the world. Cari Causey is planning an event and is
looking for an energetic teenage who is passionate and willing to help plan an event to benefit the Feed My
Starving Children organization. Email her at ccausey@cvuhs.org for more information
Installing a disc golf course at CVU (and the other schools in our district). There are funds available to install
a disc golf course, however, research, approval, budgeting, etc. need to be done. If a student is interested, s/he
may contact David Peckinpaugh at the CSSU office: dpeckinpaugh@cssu.org
CVU Garden assistant manager – CVU has a great garden out in our courtyard off the cafeteria! And all of
CVU benefits from fresh food and herbs incorporated into our café menus! While the summer is the growing
season (great for a GC project for 2014), there is also garden work to do in fall and planning in winter as well as
prep in spring (which is late for GC 2013). If interested in gardening, using local produce, garden planning
please see Lish (Alicia Kroll) at akroll@cvuhs.org. Her office is in the room off the Learning Center
Graphic design work – CVU has many bulletin boards and brochures that would benefit from a student who is
interested in graphic design. CVU faculty members and departments are prospective clients (Buddy Program,
College Planning, Volunteering, Grad Challenge, Academic Internship, Career exploration, Shadow Program,
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and many others). This project requires considerable self-initiative. See MaryAnne Gatos in the Direction
Center.
Railways and Transportation
“I am the “Public Outreach Coordinator” for the Vermont Agency of Transportation My responsibilities
include a continued effort to prepare various projects across the state for our Historical, Archeology and
Environmental units. As I looked to this year I was reminded that Vermont railroads offer a great view of our
state from a number of different perspectives. Traveling the rails is interesting from the areas of geography,
transportation as well as history. “
“I am contacting you to offer my assistance in developing some school projects involving rail transportation
in Vermont. Rail travel in Vermont is fun (WIFi included) and educational. A day trip could start between St
Albans go to Brattleboro and back (including stops along the way). September is “History Month” in Vermont
and that could be included in the adventure Website: http://vermontvacation.com/ contact; Brent H. Curtis,
Out Reach Coordinator, Vermont Agency of Transportation, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier VT 05633
Phone: 802-828-2618 email: AOT.ontheroad@state.vt.us
Wellness at HCS
“I am a parent at Hinesburg Community School. We are trying to advance our wellness climate. I am
hoping that you might have seniors who have yet to determine their grad challenge topic and would like
something to do with wellness. We have opportunities in:
- Creating healthy foods that kids like
- Marketing nutrition. "Talk" with our community about nutrition. Figure out how to teach families
about nutrition.
- Exercise. Studying exercise and it's effects - or simply getting kids to be more active at school
- Nutrition. Advance students awareness of nutrition.
- Brain exercises. Using brain exercises to improve learning and wellness.
- HCS garden. We have plans to build some garden pieces this fall. We could use help with this project.
Students can contact Kelli Brown 482-2723
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Pennies for Patients program is a service and philanthropy
program that gives students a unique experience making a difference through teamwork—working together to
aid thousands of children and adults in the fight blood cancers like leukemia. : Students collect spare change
over a 3 week period. Change is collected from friends and family in honor of a local student blood cancer
survivor. Additionally, many schools choose to implement supplemental educational activities provided by
LLS, including kickoff assemblies and service learning materials.
http://www.schoolandyouth.org/school/Controller?action=loadContent&itemid=575076 LLS provides all the
materials your school needs to run the program, including posters,stickers,charts,paper penny pads, classroom
collection boxes, an educational video, and a colorful collection box for each student. Educate & Motivate
video. http://www.schoolandyouth.org/school/Controller?action=loadContent&itemid=575074 . For more
information please contact Brandy Farber at (518) 438-3583 or Brandy.Farber@lls.org, or you may
visit www.schoolandyouth.org/uny
For a list of non-profit organizations where one could volunteer – see website:
https://sites.google.com/a/cvuhs.org/community-learning-opportunities/community-service
CVU Home page–> Community Learning Opportunities –> Volunteering and Community Service.
Community Learning Opportunities web page.
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For information on any of these projects, you may contact MaryAnne Gatos in the Direction Center or the
contact person included in the announcement. Read information available on the organization’s web site prior
to making your phone call. Speak to your Advisor for assistance in how to present yourself.
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