To participate

Please enroll in the corresponding 3 s.h. service-learning course LS:1024 for the Spring semester. This is a 10-week course that will meet twice per week with engaging activities and discussions. Enrollment for the Spring semester will commence shortly. This program is available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

If you are unsure about how this process works or would need to speak with someone about how this trip might be a good fit for you, email DSL-HSB@uiowa.edu.

Each course will be focused on a different social issue and service related to these issues. To join a spring 2025 team, follow these instructions:

  1. Confirm your registration date for Spring 2025 classes. 
  2. Review the focus area and sponsor for each team shown in the list below.
  3. Check to make sure you meet the qualifications for the course section in the "specific requirements" section.
  4. Choose your top 3 team preferences (in case sections fill up quickly)
  5. Thoroughly review the registration information for each section listed on MyUI (i.e., info on optimum enrollment and waitlist).
  6. When you're eligible to register for Spring classes, enroll in the course section of your preference via MyUI.
  7. Contact dsl-HSB@uiowa.edu with any questions or concerns throughout this process.

2025 Trip Locations:

Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital city and county of Colorado. Basking at the western edge of the Great Plains, just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Denver enjoys a climate of 8 to 15 inches of annual precipitation and more than 300 days of sunshine more than Miami and San Diego. The picturesque mountain panorama from Denver is 140 miles long and there are 200 visible named peaks including 32 that soar to 13,000 feet and above.

To find out more about the city, visit:
https://www.denver.org/about-denver/resources/denver-facts/

Take a look at our service partners:
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
https://dug.org/

Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., is the capital city of the United States, located between Virginia and Maryland on the North bank of the Potomac River. The city is home to all three branches of the federal government, as well as the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building. D.C is a city filled with tours of classic attractions like the White House and the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

To find out more about the city, visit:
https://travel.usnews.com/Washington_DC/
https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/washington-dc

Take a look at our service partners:
https://larche-gwdc.org
https://foodforalldc.org
https://breadforthecity.org/

Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi, often referred to as the "Heart of Mississippi," is a vibrant and historically rich city in the southern United States. As the state capital, Jackson serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of Mississippi. With a population that reflects the diverse tapestry of the American South, Jackson boasts a unique blend of Southern hospitality and urban vitality. Founded in 1821 and named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, this city has a deep-rooted history. It played a pivotal role during the Civil Rights Movement and remains an essential hub for African American culture and heritage.

To find out more about the city, visit:
https://www.visitjackson.com/

Take a look at our service partner:
Stewpot Community Services

Austin, Texas

Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, Austin is the capital of the state of Texas, the Lone Star State. The city dates back to the 1830s, when the first Anglo-American settlers arrived in the area, then part of Mexico. In 1837, settlers founded the village of Waterloo on the banks of the Colorado River, the first permanent settlement in the area. By 1839, Waterloo would adopt the name Austin and the frontier town would become the capital of the Republic of Texas. The City is named for Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.”

To find out more about the city, visit:
https://www.austintexas.gov/resident/about-city-austin

Take a look at our service partner: 
https://insidebooksproject.org/
 

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 30th-most populous city in the United States. Named for King Louis XVI of France in appreciation for his assistance during the Revolutionary War, Louisville was founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778. While its initial growth was slow, the advent of the steamboat in the early 1800s sparked booming industrial development, and by 1830 Louisville had secured its place as the largest city in Kentucky. The city has been home to a number of men and women who changed the face of American history.

To find out more about the city, visit:
https://www.gotolouisville.com/things-to-do/history/
https://louisvilleky.gov/