In Santa Barbara, choose ONE of the following Community Service Projects:
Volunteer with Children
Storyteller Children's Center
- Work with children 2 to 5 years of age at Storyteller Children's Center. The center provides quality, tuition-free early childhood education for at-risk children in Santa Barbara. Our volunteers work with the children in small groups to provide individualized attention. Activities include arts and crafts, outside play-time, story reading, and general day care.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County
- Work with elementary through middle-school aged children and become a mentor as you help to develop self-esteem and values in a fun and energetic environment. The Boys and Girls Club consists of a computer lab, library, athletic fields and gymnasium, and other youth-oriented facilities.
Isla Vista Youth Project
- Work with infants, toddlers, or kindergartners as you help to provide a positive experience through diverse educational, recreational, and social programs. Our volunteers will provide general care, will go on fun field trips, and will be encouraged to develop their own unique projects.
Girls, Inc. Summer Adventure Program
– Work at one of Girls, Inc's program centers as you help inspire young girls to be smart, strong, and bold. Each day, our volunteers will help provide fun activities in a camp-like setting, including gardening, science, gymnastics, sports, dance, computers, and more.
Volunteer with Animals
Volunteer at the Santa Barbara Humane Society (4-week participants only)
– The primary goal of the Humane Society is the prevention of cruelty to animals. Our volunteers will participate in the Canine Companions program, the Humane Society's volunteer dog care program, which is intended to enhance the adoptability of the dogs by providing them with socialization, exercise, and obedience reinforcement. Each summer our volunteers also help with a special project which enhances the over-all facility and provides a better experience for the animals, staff, and visitors. Each day is split between dog training and dog care and our special project.
Protect the Environment
Summer Community Service Project performed in conjunction with Project Clean Water, Channel Islands Restoration, Looking Good Santa Barbara, and Municipal and County Parks and Preserves.
Our restoration project will increase awareness and promote individual and group actions to help the environment. Our volunteers will restore native plant-life to balance the eco-system, reduce weeds and shrubs that encroach upon local plant species, and beautify local county beaches and watersheds. During this program our volunteers will also learn about the history of this beautiful area and the importance of keeping the eco-system in balance. All volunteer work takes place outdoors.
Volunteer at Unity Shoppe
Unity Shoppe operates a year-round free grocery and clothing store so people on the verge of homelessness can shop with dignity for their basic needs such as food and clothing. By supplementing these basic necessities, people have the ability to pay their rent and utilities and are then able to move their lives forward. Our volunteers will help by stocking food and clothing, working at the register, helping customers to shop for their families' necessities, and more. This is a truly unique opportunity to experience the essence of "giving back." Each volunteer will participate in each activity every day.
Service Details
- Summer Community Service participants volunteer with the same project for the length of the program, in order to create meaningful bonds between our volunteers and the community they are helping.
- Participants volunteer Monday - Friday, four hours per day, for the duration of the program, earning 40, 60 or 80 hours of Summer Community Service credit.
- Service project space is limited at each volunteer site, so project selections are granted following your date of enrollment, based on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The goal of Community Service is not only to give back to the community but for our participants to also learn and grow through their experiences.
A Typical Weekday at Project California
Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 8:30am
Breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria
9:00am - 1:00pm
Volunteer Projects
1:15pm - 2:00pm
Lunch in the cafeteria
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Afternoon Electives*
4:30pm - 6:00pm
Dorm time
6:15pm - 7:15pm
Dinner in the cafeteria
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Evening Activities in and around Santa Barbara
*Every Wednesday we break from electives in the afternoon and offer fun Field Trips to Downtown Santa Barbara and the Local Beaches.
Friday
8:00am - 8:30am
Breakfast in the dormitory cafeteria
9:00am - 1:00pm
Volunteer Projects
1:15pm - 2:00pm
Lunch in the cafeteria
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Depart for Weekend Trips
Living on Campus @ UC Santa Barbara
The University of California Santa Barbara is an energetic campus located between the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains. During the week, this vibrant campus is our home away from home. Dormitory rooms are doubles, with a shared private bathroom connecting two rooms. Our dorm features an incredible array of facilities, including an Olympic-size swimming pool, computer room, recreation room with pool tables and ping pong tables, floor lounges with sofas and cable television, fitness room, linen service, and laundry room.
While on campus, the group will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Portola Dining Commons, the dormitory dining hall. Portola is cafeteria-style, consisting of various stations with plenty of choices at each meal for all types of diets. Enjoy everything from made-to-order omelets to lasagna to delicious desserts. While traveling on weekends, breakfast and dinner are provided at our hotels and in various local restaurants.
Throughout the program there is time for visits to the Recreation Center, complete with soccer fields, racquetball courts, weight rooms, and fitness centers. You’ll also soak up the vibe at the University Center when we visit the bookstore, located at the center of this beautiful campus.
Afternoon Electives
Each Project California community service participant selects one of the following activities as an afternoon elective. Each elective will run for the duration of the program, three afternoons per week. The other two days per week are spent in and around Santa Barbara and the surrounding beaches.
Tennis Instruction
Improve your tennis game in a fun group environment with the help of professional tennis instruction. Your time will be spent honing your skills and competing with your fellow players and instructors. All skill levels are welcome and all participants must bring their own racquets.
Golf Instruction
Here is a great opportunity to take professional golf instruction at a beautiful Santa Barbara golf course. Each day will allow time for teaching and analysis. Time on the course is provided throughout the program. All skills levels are welcome. Participants bring their own golf clubs.
**$200 supplemental fee
Enhanced Golf
Want a more intensive golf experience? Our enhanced golf option, Golf & Service @ Project California, is a unique opportunity for you to play several exciting golf courses throughout the Santa Barbara area and to receive instruction with our specialized professional instructor, while also earning community service credit. More detailed information about Golf & Service »
Cooking
Learn your way around the kitchen as our cooking instructor teaches you the fun and fine art of preparing and cooking delicious meals. No experience is necessary.
Digital Photography
Santa Barbara’s picturesque natural environment and unique Mission-style architecture is the perfect place to improve your digital photography skills with the help of professional instruction. Each participant must supply his or her own digital camera.
Santa Barbara Days
Experience all that Santa Barbara has to offer. Each day will vary, with participants engaging in exciting and enriching cultural and outdoor activities throughout the area. Some activities include visits to local museums, spending time at the zoo, participating in kayak trips and hiking excursions, and biking along the famous California beaches.
Yoga Instruction
Have fun and enlighten your body and mind through a creative blend of various methods of yoga. Our professional instructors will instill in our students feelings of strength, peace, openness, and overall well being. All experience levels are welcome.
Guitar Instruction
Our professional guitar teacher will teach you the basics of guitar playing in a fun and relaxed group setting. No experience is necessary. Guitars will be provided.
Introduction to Pottery
Held in a local ceramics studio, our pottery class is taught by professional instructors who will lead you through fun lessons such as potter's wheel instruction, hand building techniques, and the fundamentals of surface design. No experience is necessary.
Santa Barbara Waves
Santa Barbara is a water-sport lover's paradise. This elective will introduce our participants to a new ocean and beach activity each week. Professional instructors will teach us the basics of sea-kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, and more. This is also a unique opportunity to enjoy many of the beautiful beaches throughout the Santa Barbara area. All equipment is provided for each activity.
** $200/2-week program supplemental fee
** $300/3-week program supplemental fee
** $400/4-week program supplemental fee
Weekend Excursions
Weekend One: Orange County
It's time for some rest and relaxation as we head to beautiful Orange County. Try to spot whales and porpoises as we cruise the blue Pacific waters on our way to Catalina Island, where there will be time to snorkel, swim, and chill on the beach at Avalon Harbor. Get ready for a day of rides and fantasy at the one and only Disneyland. Get ready to cheer on your favorite knight as we take in the excitement at Medieval Times! Enjoy a fun night out as we feast at Bubba Gump's and check out the stunning sunset during our stop in Ventura Harbor.
**For 14, 21 and 28 Day participants.
Weekend Two: Los Angeles
Fun and excitement await us during our amazing weekend in the heart of the City of Angels. Keep your eyes open for your favorite celebrities as you stroll down Rodeo Drive. Check-out the street performers and cool California vibe at Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade. Grab a bite to eat at the world-famous Farmer’s Market and check out the scene at The Grove. The adrenaline will be pumping during our visit to the “Thrill Capital of the World”, Six Flags Magic Mountain!
**Full weekend for 21 and 28-day participants. Please note that our 14-day participants will spend Friday night in Los Angeles and will depart the following Saturday morning from Los Angeles International Airport.
Weekend Three: Hollywood
Fun and excitement await us during our amazing final weekend in Hollywood! We’ll enjoy rides such as Revenge of the Mummy and Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal Studios. Explore the mysteries of Hogwarts Castle at the all new attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’ll get closer to the entertainment that we know and love during our behind-the-scenes tour of Warner Bros. Studios. We’ll experience one of the busiest movie studios in Hollywood as we explore the studio’s iconic backlots and interactive soundstages! We'll laugh the night away with our new friends at the hottest spot on Melrose, The Improv Comedy Club. Check out the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the famous handprints at Mann’s Chinese Theatre.
**Full weekend for 28-day participants. Please note that our 21-day participants will spend Friday night in Hollywood and will depart the following Saturday morning from Los Angeles International Airport.
