Challenge Guidelines and Information
GUIDELINES
First Lady Maria Lee’s
Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge
WHAT?
First Lady Maria Lee invites all Tennessee elementary students (grades rising K – rising 6th) to participate in her statewide Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge: a calling to motivate young Tennesseans to serve their state, give back to their communities and care for their neighbors during the summer.
The challenge will start on June 1, 2019 and will conclude on August 1, 2019.
HOW?
Participants will be encouraged to do community service over the summer by completing two requirements:
1) Complete the required number of service categories:
i. K – 2nd graders will need to complete at least 3 of the given service categories
ii. 3rd – 6th graders will need to complete at least 5 of the given service categories
2) Complete at least 8 (K – 2nd) or 12 (3rd – 6th) service hours in TOTAL. More than this number of service hours is highly encouraged, as winners will be selected from the students with the most service hours!
Upon registering for the challenge, families will receive additional information and a service log to return to the Office of the First Lady. Parents or guardians will need to help their child fill out the required contact information on the service log and return it to the Office of the First Lady by August 9, 2019. When completing the service log, an adult at the place of service will need to sign off on each service activity completed by the child: for instance, when taking baked goods to a fire station, please have the fire chief or a firefighter sign off.
RECOGNITION
All students who complete the challenge will receive a certificate of participation signed by First Lady Maria Lee. Those who complete the highest number of service hours during the challenge will be invited to a Summer Service Carnival event on September 14, 2019 at the Tennessee Residence with Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee in celebration of their hard work!
Tennessee Kids Serve Challenge Categories
Summer Challenge Guidelines:
1) Rising K – 2nd: You must pick 3 of the 8 categories below. You must have a total of AT LEAST 8 service hours to qualify. For each act of service you complete, an adult from the organization you serve will need to sign off on your participation.
2) Rising 3rd – 6th: You must pick 5 of the 8 categories below. You must have a total of AT LEAST 12 service hours to qualify. For each act of service you complete, an adult from the organization you serve will need to sign off on your participation.
We have listed examples of service activities under each category, however, you do not have to use these examples. We challenge you to get creative and come up with your own activity ideas!
Category 1: First Responders
Examples:
- Make a homemade Thank You card for a first responder
- Deliver a batch of cookies to your local fire station or EMT crew
- Bring a cold drink to police officer who is helping monitor construction traffic
Category 2: Neighborhood
Examples:
- Help a neighbor with yard work
- Have a lemonade stand and give the money to charity
- Take a meal to a neighbor
Category 3: Food Insecure
Examples:
- Bring groceries to a local food bank
- Serve food at a soup kitchen
- Help a local charity pack food boxes
Category 4: Get Well Soon
Examples:
- Make a ‘get well soon’ card for a child at a children’s hospital
- Provide soft socks, blankets, or hats to a hospital that treats cancer patients
Category 5: Military
Examples:
- Make a summer pen pal with someone serving in the military and send them encouraging letters
- Ask a military family if you can pick up groceries for them
- Send a care package
Category 6: Elderly
Examples:
- put on a talent show or concert at a nearby senior citizen facility
- Bring fresh flowers to someone at a nursing home
- Offer to help a senior citizen with a chore
Category 7: Outdoors
Examples:
- Start a community garden and donate the food to a local food bank
- Pick up trash at a public park or green space
- Bring donuts to a park ranger
Category 8: Family Care
Examples:
- Take diapers to a pregnancy center
- Donate toys or games to a local safe house
- Provide back-to-school supplies for a foster family