Children go to school to learn fundamental skills and subjects, but the educational mission is much greater. Historically, the mission of schools has been to help children become productive, responsible adults who help make the world a better place. This mission still holds true today. Americans believe that one of the primary purposes of education is to prepare students to become responsible citizens (Smith, 2003). Much has been said and written about the importance of giving students the opportunity to provide service to others. Some service programs are community service, youth service, national service, student volunteering, and service learning (Witmer and Anderson, 1994). According to Smith (2003), community service learning projects are opportunities that involve complex problems, contexts, and exposure to people who possess broad skills and resources not found in schools. Witmer and Anderson (1994) suggest that service learning provides the solution to the problem of having too much empty time and not being engaged in worthwhile activities. Service learning offers young people the opportunity to be responsible, caring, and participating members of society. Instead of prolonging students' dependence on adults, undermining their self-esteem and crippling their ability to care, schools with service-learning components can empower young people to succeed. Service learning is based on experiential education considered learning through action. This type of learning differs from basic experiential learning in two essential ways. The first difference is to direct students towards practical contexts in which the main motivation is service. The second difference requires that learning occurs as students par...... middle of paper...... concerns. (Witmer & Anderson, 1994). According to Perry (2006), service learning, if done well, can benefit individual students and the community at large. At the individual level, service learning increases self-esteem, fosters problem-solving and leadership skills, improves social and emotional development, and improves academic performance. At the community level, service learning promotes a sense of civic responsibility. A challenge for any teacher hoping to provide meaningful civic engagement opportunities for students is to maximize the above-mentioned benefits while minimizing the risks. There is no magic formula that can be used to ensure that students actively engage in their communities. However, with careful design, service learning offers educators a means to create powerful community-based learning opportunities.