You can be the difference in our community!
Are you interested in being a part of an immersive learning experience where you work directly with local organizations on community projects? Alternative Reading Week brings that opportunity, linked to several courses!
Dynamics of Community Involvement (INCC 201.3) is one of these options, designed specifically around Alternative Reading Week.
Attention: The below information may change. Any new information will be updated here - so be sure to check back for the latest information!
Here's your chance to get involved in Saskatoon's core neighbourhoods, enrich your education, and give yourself an edge in the career market. Be part of a team of students working with a local organization on a community project.
- Gain valuable experience.
- Earn recognition for your dedication to community involvement.
- Make a difference!
Alternative Reading Week has three main components: Pre-Week Meetings, the Reading Week Program, and Post-Week Meetings. It's like a meeting sandwich around the most food-filled section of the ARW program, making all of it that much better!
To learn more about ARW 2013, try one of the headings below.
What is ARW?
Program Schedule at a Glance
Pre-Week Meetings
Reading Week Timeline
Post-Week Meetings
Registering
What is ARW?
Alternative Reading Week (ARW) is a co-curricular program based on the foundations of community service-learning, a form of experiential education. The three key components of this style of education are: knowledge, action, and reflection. In the Orientation, Reading Week, and other Pre- and Post-Week events, these three components are incorporated to provide a rich and meaningful community service-learning experience.
Program Schedule at a Glance (ARW 2013)
(dates and times may change)
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Feb. 3rd | 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 10th | 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 16th | 10:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Feb. 18th to 22nd | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Wednesday February 20th may begin and end at a later time) |
| Mar. 3rd | 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. |
| Mar. 7th | 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. |
Please note: more information will be available as the Week approaches. Email service-learning@usask.ca if you have any questions.
Pre-Week Meetings
There will be two meetings before the Week itself. The meetings will help introduce the participants to each other and to the program purpose and components. Information from and about the community partners will also be discussed.
Reading Week Timeline
On Saturday, February 16th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m., you will be introduced to the community, some of the partnering organizations and their work.
After that Saturday's event, you will have a weekend to chill, with no planned activities on Sunday or Monday (Family Day). On Tuesday, the central focus of the ARW program begins, following a schedule similar to the following sample:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
8:30 a.m. | We meet on campus and transport (with city transit - essential to our experience!) to our placements. |
9:00 a.m. | Participants will be working with local community organizations. Some examples for this year are the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre and AIDS Saskatoon. |
12:00 noon | Lunch will be provided at a local organization, such as the Friendship Inn, or through a local business. |
1:00 p.m. | The afternoons will involve various activities to give participants a greater understanding of the issues facing the community and the work underway. |
4:30 p.m. | Done for the day! Transport back to the University. If you want to stay downtown or go from there, you're most welcome to. |
Post-Week Meetings
There will be two meetings after the Week itself. The meetings will involve discussion of the Week's events and participants will have more opportunity to share their experiences from the Week.
For our final meeting, representatives from all partnering organizations and from the University are invited to attend this wrap-up, ending in an informal reception for all invited.
Registering
Registration for this program is only through courses, either as an integral part (like Dynamics of Community Involvement) or as an option. If your course is linked to Alternative Reading Week, you will be sent a link to register by early January. If your class doesn't yet, but you think it could have a connection to Alternative Reading Week, please contact us at service-learning@usask.ca.
You can register for the Dynamics of Community Involvement course normally through PAWS.
Still have questions? Contact us at service-learning@usask.ca - we look forward to hearing from you.
