The 23rd Annual National Service-Learning Conference

Check out some of our favorite events and activities!

All events take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center or Hilton Minneapolis, unless otherwise specified. Rooms and times will be posted as they become available. Locations and times are subject to change. Please check your conference program guide, available on-site, for the final schedule.

Wednesday, April 11

Preconference Sessions
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (W1)
1:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. (W2)

Preconference sessions are intensive, 3 hour - interactive sessions that provide materials, strategies, and skills in cutting-edge areas of service-learning. Each session provides opportunities to explore subject areas in depth. Preregistration is required. Meals are not provided.

» Learn more about preconference sessions

Newcomers Orientation
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
New to service-learning or the conference? Confused by terms like "thought leader series," "plenary session," and "conference track"? Join us for this informal networking session. We'll help you get your bearings, answer your questions, and make the most of the conference. A "don't miss" event for first-time attendees.

Opening Plenary Session
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Join your fellow conference participants to hear inspirational leaders talk about the state of service-learning, service, and volunteerism. What is on the horizon for service-learning? What resources will be available to you? These and many of your other questions will be answered in the opening session of Our World, Our Future.

Welcome Celebration and Exhibit Hall Grand Opening
Minnesota: A Cultural Celebration
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States. The Twin Cities area is host to the largest Hmong community in the world outside of Asia. Unique, yet smaller immigrant communities in Minnesota include the largest group of Oromo – an ethnic group from Ethiopia – outside of that country, the second largest group of Tibetans in the U.S., and a concentration of West African refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Don't miss your opportunity to eat, sing, dance, and experience the vast diversity of Minnesota as we celebrate the opening of Our World, Our Future! Meet representatives from nonprofits oriented to service and education, companies working with the service-learning movement, and national-service organizations. While you are there, visit the conference bookstore to browse the offerings of relevant fiction, nonfiction, and children's books.

» Learn more about the Exhibit Hall

Networking Gatherings and Receptions
8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Be prepared to be surprised as you gather with colleagues for an educational networking experience you will not forget! Check your program guide for specific times and locations.

Youthroom Kick-off: Held in the Youth Room, this is the place for young people to meet and kick off the conference. (Youth only.)
International Gathering: For international guests and those interested in international applications of service-learning.
Organic Roundtable Networking: Looking to meet people from your region? Want to find others doing environmental service-learning? You devise the groups, we will provide the avenue to connect people.
Young Professionals Reception
Indigenous Service-Learning Forum Reception
Family Group Time: youthrive PeaceJam Youth Leadership Conference attendees gather to carry on dialogue about the conference and its focus, communities issues, service-learning projects they are implementing locally, socialize, network, and engage in team building activities.. Trained college-aged mentors facilitate Family Group meetings.

Thursday, April 12

Plenary Session
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join your fellow conference participants for exciting entertainment and keynote speeches. Hear from the President and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone, Inc., Geoffrey Canada. A passionate advocate in education reform, Canada was one of TIME Magazine's Top 100 most influential people of 2011. Canada was also prominently featured in the documentary "Waiting for Superman". Be inspired by the words of high school student Jeron Mariani. An experienced facilitator on authentic youth engagement at local, state, and national conferences, Mariani is a member of youthrive's Board of Directors and Leadership Team.

Service-Learning Showcase
Exhibit Hall, 12:15 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
The service-learning showcase highlights high-quality service-learning projects from across the country and around the world. Talk with people about their projects to learn how service-learning is implemented, how they connected service to their curriculum goals, what impact their projects have had, and what makes them effective. Stroll through the showcase and pick up ideas to take back home.

» Learn more about participating in the Service-Learning Showcase

College Fair
Exhibit Hall, 12:15 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Looking for a school after graduation? Colleges and universities from Minnesota and beyond will answer your questions at the College Fair. Admissions professionals share information about academic programs, campus life, admission requirements, and the service that takes place at their institutions.

» Learn more about exhibiting at the College Fair

Meet the Authors
Exhibit Hall, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Meet one-on-one with featured authors. Pick up their books at the on-site bookstore and then meet them in person in the exhibit hall.

» Learn more about the authors

Networking Gatherings and Receptions
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Check your program guide for specific times and locations.

Family Group Time
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
youthrive PeaceJam Youth Leadership Conference attendees gather to carry on dialogue about the conference and its focus, communities issues, service-learning projects they are implementing locally, socialize, network, and engage in team building activities.. Trained college-aged mentors facilitate Family Group meetings.

Friday, April 13

» Learn more about participating in the Service-Learning Showcase

Meet the Authors
Exhibit Hall, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Meet one-on-one with featured authors. Pick up their books at the on-site bookstore and then meet them in person in the exhibit hall.

» Learn more about the authors

Plenary Session and Public Address
4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Explore youth service as a force that spans cultural and national boundaries. Don't miss Shirin Ebadi. Ebadi was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote human rights, in particular, the rights of women, children, and political prisoners in Iran. She is the first Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and only the fifth Muslim to receive a Nobel Prize in any field. Ebadi was one of the first female judges in Iran.

Networking Gatherings and Receptions
5:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Check your program guide for specific times and locations.

Saturday, April 14 - Serve & Celebrate

Plenary Session
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
What does service and service-learning mean to you? How can you make a difference in the world? Join us at the kick-off plenary session for Serve and Celebrate – a day of hands on projects, learning, and fun! Hear from Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, NYLC Youth Advisory Council members, and youthrive Leadership Team members.

Serve
10:15 a.m. Bus boarding to St. Paul communities.
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to make an impact in the Frogtown and surrounding communities of St. Paul. Participants will work side-by-side with community members on peace-building projects.

Celebrate
3:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

Come celebrate Global Youth Service Day at the Mall of America! In the Best Buy Rotunda you will find: on-site service-learning projects, live entertainment, youth performances, prizes and much more!