This fall, our nature-loving Wildcats made a difference in their community while enjoying the great outdoors.  In partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Mason Neck State Park, students from Whitman participated in Community Clean-Up Day as a service learning opportunity.  

What is Service Learning?

Service learning is the conduit that we use to teach students to be ethical and global citizens at Whitman. Organized by Whitman After-School Specialist, Lee Maguire, our recent service field trip introduced students to the natural environment in their community and provided them an opportunity to have a direct and tangible impact on making it a better place for others to enjoy. Mr. Maguire promoted this opportunity for our students as a way to build camaraderie with peers, reinforce science knowledge, and to support Virginia's commitment to protecting natural environments and access to outdoor space.  

Community Clean-Up Day: Tidy our Shores and Trails

Our Wildcat volunteers gathered at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center, where park rangers kicked off the day with a short talk about conservation. After that, the team received supplies to help clean up the park. Whether it was trash that washed onto the shoreline or litter scattered along the trails, our students worked together to clean up the park and preserve the beauty of our natural resources. Located in Northern Virginia, Mason Neck State Park is a treasure trove of outdoor activities. With beautiful hiking trails, three miles of paved multi-use paths, and a large picnic area, there were plenty of spaces for our volunteers to help with clean-up. The park’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, forests, ponds, and open fields, provide a fantastic setting for environmental studies and wildlife observation.

Ethical and Global Citizenship

As part of the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate skills, Whitman encourages students to grow as ethical and global citizens, who can act responsibly, recognize and appreciate the similarities and differences among people and their cultures, and care for their community and environment.  Whitman National Junior Honors Society Advisor, Charlotte Smith, was impressed by our students' curiosity and compassion as they rolled up their sleeves and got to work.  Smith believes, “this experience was not just about cleaning up; it was a celebration of community, connection, and the joy of being outdoors.” Overall, it was an unforgettable day filled with laughter, teamwork, and a shared passion for preserving our precious environment!

Student Perspectives

Part of the volunteer squad were 8th graders Michael B. and Taylor W., both members of the National Junior Honors Society (NJHS).  Taylor was excited to volunteer because “it helped me fulfill some of my required hours for NJHS and I thought being in the park would be cool.”  She was pleasantly surprised that there was not as much trash as she thought they would find and she enjoyed finding shells and other elements of nature on the beach at Mason Neck.  Michael was looking for opportunities outside of school to earn his service hours, and was happy that this weekend trip let him enjoy being outside while making a difference.  He thought “walking through nature and seeing the forest and the beach was a cool way to help clean-up.”  Both Wildcats loved that the trip was a fun way to help their community.

Thank you to all NJHS Members, Student Ambassadors, Mr. Maguire, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Arzu Thompson for dedicating your time to a meaningful learning experience that supported our community!