Students Get Active and Engaged at the Activities and CommServ Fairs

Dickinson's Film Club was one of the many clubs and student activities featured at Activities Night.

Dickinson's Film Club was one of the many clubs and student activities featured at Activities Night. Photo by Carl Socolow '77.

Students discover opportunities to explore interests and passions through activities, community service

by Kandace Kohr

Almost as soon as they step foot on campus, Dickinson College students are encouraged to get involved in many ways—and two events held each semester help them discover which opportunities fit them best. 

The first part of this two-fold initiative is the Activities Fair. With more than 120 student clubs and organizations on campus, it's easy to find something to interest everyone. The fair is an opportunity for students to get to know the various clubs and organizations on campus and meet the student leaders, who provide more information about their clubs. Students who attend the fair can sign up for more information or join clubs on the spot. This semester's Activities Fair featured clubs whose focus ranged from exploring the outdoors to e-sports, Quidditch and a cappella singing. (Check out Sam Gerhard '19's Snapchat takeover of the event.) 

For students looking to branch out into the Carlisle area and beyond through community service, the CommServ Fair offered a slew of opportunities. Like the Activities Fair, the CommServ Fair gave students the chance to match opportunities to their interests and specialties, from volunteering, mentoring and tutoring to helping inmates prepare for a high-school equivalency exam. The event was hosted by the Center for Service, Spirituality & Social Justice (CSSS) and encouraged students to learn more about the three main CSSS service programs, Justice Served, Day of Service and CommServ. 

Students interact with service groups on campus to learn about opportunities to get involved in the local community.

Students interact with service groups on campus to learn about opportunities to get involved in the local community. Photo by Carl Socolow '77.

Student representatives of the Justice Served program, which combines several initiatives focused on social justice, met with prospective members and discussed on- and off-campus opportunities, including the annual Stop Hunger Now meal-packaging event. CommServ volunteers can choose from more than a dozen weekly service programs, such as America Reads, the Carlisle Tutoring Program, Habitat for Humanity and Keep Hope. These groups build and maintain strong community partnerships through sustained interactions. In 2018, more than 150 students participated in a CommServ weekly community service group. 

Check out the Facebook photo album of the Activities Fair. 

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Published January 28, 2019