Without Limits Kicks Off in Denver

The 24th Annual National Service-Learning Conference kicked off in Denver, Colorado with the opening plenary session, followed by entertainment and a buffet in the Exhibit Hall during the Mile High Celebration.

NYLC CEO Kelita Bak and Wendy Spencer both spoke to the need for the service-learning field to find creative solutions to collaborate toward common goals. “I believe in service-learning, not for its own sake, but for what it can achieve,” said Bak.

Speaking on the outcomes for volunteers at the Corporation for National and Community Service, Wendy Spencer, CNCS CEO, stated: “service-learning is a great strategy for the solutions we’re seeking.”

Co-founder of Free The Children Marc Kielburger introduced attendees to We Day, the full-day celebration that has gathered thousands of youth in celebration of service across Canada. We Day is expanding into their first US cities this year; Seattle in March and Minneapolis in October.

Lisa Bardwell, Earth Force CEO, noted the importance of each person’s contribution, large or small. “We need everyone in the room if we are going to change the world,” she said.

Beth Nickle, teacher at Bailey Alternative High School in Springfield, MO, and students from Project TGIF (Turn Grease Into Fuel) were honored for their exemplary service-learning practice during the presentation of the National Service-Learning Awards.

The opening events featured the Raven Dancers, Project Ignition Awards presented by Bill Watada of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Dave Oloffson of State Farm, and Kelita Bak. The celebration closed out with a performance by Denver band Pretty Girl.

Reyna Sanchez won a Kindle Fire in the NYLC booth, courtesy of the Generator School Network.

Follow @nylcorg this week on twitter as we tweet live updates from the conference, hashtag #nylc13.