EXPERIENCE CWI's SUMMER WEST in Los Angeles
An Internationally acclaimed Event for K-16 and Community Educators
REGISTER NOW• LIMITED SPACE REMAINS
A Very Unique Five Day Summer Institute
Spend an intensive and deeply rewarding week with educators from around the world and across the U.S., immersed in creating curriculum and programs focused on service-learning, sustainability, and place-based education.
Deeping Practice
The Institute enriches and deepens service-learning practice through interactive training designed to maximize learning, growth, and accomplishment for students. Participants learn to use CWI’s best practice based model, with both an instructional and ‘site level” focus. Fostering student voice is a core component of our work. The week includes ongoing opportunities for dialogue with experienced faculty practitioners and peers. Structured planning and reflection time is provided for individual and group work.
“Thank you! The Institute exceeded my expectations and fed my spirit in a way that will accelerate my impact. It offered a rare opportunity to connect to other educators and look at purpose and intention on a deeper level. The Institute allowed me an opportunity to live through how to foster a community by how you structure activities.”
"The facilitators have outdone themselves. Very knowledgeable, engaged, and helpful. Energetic, flexible, friendly and passionate! They planned very well, with lots of activities and resources. People were comfortable and excited."
Carla Lane, Teacher
Howard S. Billings High School Montreal |
As an Institute Participant you will...
• Identify academic connections between service, sustainability, and essential learning outcomes.
• Find practical ways to encourage student voice in the learning process.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the role and practice of reflection in service and experiential learning.
• Learn strategies to develop authentic community partnerships and build buy in among colleagues.
• Reinvigorate your practice and commitment to education.
• Identify practical ways to engage students in compelling community based work.
• Create a coherent working plan for your classroom, school, or program.
• Become a part of CWI’s network of passionate educators. |
About Our Location
CWI's Summer WEST takes place on the campus of Loyola Marymount University (LMU), situated on a breathtaking hilltop that overlooks both the city of Los Angeles and the PacificOcean. Adjacent to the city of Los Angeles, LMU's campus provides a retreat like setting for a great week spentwith colleagues who share your enthusiasm and passion for this work. more on our location
Who Should Attend
The Institute is appropriate for K-16 teachers, community based educators, administrators, and program trainers and leaders. The Institute is appropriate for beginner to veteran practitioner. Alumni also include community leaders; pre-service teachers; board members; and VISTA/AmeriCorps members. alumni reflections
A Great Team Opportunity Schools, districts, and community organizations are encouraged to send teams of participants in order to maximize the learning and increase the opportunities for implementation.
about our location l faculty l workshops l how to register l register online l printable registration form
“I can't over state the importance of this event to my vision and enthusiasm for taking Community Arts Service-Learning, way beyond its current status on campus….The right blend of new and reinforcing information with time to reflect and integrate into other thinking is very valuable. The time to plan and the supporting activities is a highlight of the week….The organizational support of the Instructional and Site Level Best Guides will make my planning easier and more productive.”
Julie Metzler, Director
Career Services, Community Arts, and Service-Learning
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
COLLABORATION • TRAINING • INSPIRATION • PLANNING • REFLECTION
“I felt reaffirmed...Thank you for a stimulating, thoughtful, and useful week. I learned a lot, met wonderful people, and had time to think and plan. I was inspired!”
Chris Tananone
Global Issues and Service Coordinator
International School of Bangkok |
“CWI gave me the opportunity to go deep in my understanding of service-learning and the way it can transform education. This Institute has given me a framework with which to return to my community with concrete ideas on how to implement service-learning.”
Elizabeth Ferguson
The Lawrenceville School, New Jersey |
Our Week’s Work
Our focus is on curriculum and program design, with supporting attention to over all campus/program development. Participants will become familiar with field tested service-learning best practices and principles of sustainability. The Institute’s goal is to support educators’ efforts to engage students in academically based service that contributes to sustainable co
mmunities.
A Week of Accomplishment
As an Institute participant you will develop a deepened practical approach to service-learning, while creating an integrated service-learning plan that meets your own unique curriculum, school, or program needs. We encourage educators to see themselves and students as empowered change agents. Participants benefit from peer review of their plans and challenges. Administrators gain the experience and knowledge needed to move service and sustainability forward as a core outcome of their institutions. Opportunities for post-Institute support are available.
Study Groups and Peer Support
Small study groups will provide participants with an important opportunity to share their key challenges and enjoy feedback, suggestions and support from fellow participants. Alumni have noted this aspect as one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of the Institute.
Institute Faculty and Workshops
CWI’s faculty members are experienced practitioners with diverse backgrounds and excellent coaching skills. Faculty members will share tools, strategies, and exemplars, and are available for one on one support. Institute workshops are designed to provide a spectrum of possibility, along with the opportunity to hear candid reflection and commentary from teachers in the field.

“The facilitators had a very high level (and passionate) understanding and practical application....I really benefited from the week, and I am excited about developing and implementing the Site Level Plan and reenergized to deepen the work.”
Monica Ways, Director
Community Engagement & Service
Miami University of Ohio
about our location l faculty l workshops l how to register l register online
“CWI’s Summer Institute gathered together those whose work ranged from classroom teachers to non-profit enterprises; administrators, staff, and faculty; various ages, cultures, and specialties; experience from both private and public; large universities and small boarding schools. Despite what some might see as widely diverse goals and beliefs, this group of engaged educators listened, learned and invested themselves in theprocess, bringing mutual benefit to all."
Chris Haupt, Director of Student Life
Santa Catalina School, Monterrey, CA
Our Schedule
The Institute begins promptly at 8:30am Monday, July 29th and ends, following a culminating activity, promptly at 4:30pm on Friday, August 2nd. Late arrivals and/or early departures are discouraged out of respect for fellow participants. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
CURRENT REGISTRATION RATES [registration information]
• Regular Tuition: $1,289, per person, includes teams
Tuition includes all materials, and lunches. [see registration discount information here
Register online now or download a printable registration form.
More registration information here.
Bring the Institute Experience to Your School or Organization! Consider Local Site Based Professional Development.
CWI will work with your school or organization on local professional development sessions, or a site based version of our national Institutes. Local institutes must be scheduled at least two months in advance and can be customized to suit individual site needs. email CWI
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