Community Service

Community Service is an integral part of Rabun Gap's foundation, and we strive daily to demonstrate the strong commitment to service we stand by as a school. It is, after all, one of our pillars - the way in which we work for our campus, local and global communities. We believe that such service should have no strings attached and should not be motivated by college applications. Rather, Rabun Gap initiates several forms of service not as a means to an end, but a beginning. In our efforts to interact with and improve our community, we are further united as school.

As an Afternoon Activity, Community Service allows students to lend a helping hand in ways ranging from building relationships at a local preschool (The Learning Center) to helping cats and dogs become people friendly and therefore more adoptable (Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter). Weekend activities provide service-minded students many opportunities, such as working in a regional food bank distribution center (Athens Community Food Bank), serving food at local & regional Soup Kitchens, and participating in nationally recognized events (Race for The Cure, Asheville). The scenic, rural environment surrounding our campus provides a unique opportunity to assist with conservation groups (Little Tennessee Land Trust, Stekoa Creek Preservation Project) as well as state parks and the U. S. Forest Service (Tallulah Gorge, Moccasin Creek and Black Rock Mountain Georgia State Parks, and Chattahoochee National Forest District). On campus, students volunteer for peer tutoring programs, host blood drives, collect gift boxes for children around the world (Operation Christmas Child) and participate in offerings for critical needs near and far.

And this is just the beginning! Student-initiated concerns have led several expeditions to flood and hurricane relief sights, to the building of homes in Mexico, to financially assisting a clinic in Kenya, and expanding concepts of environmental stewardship right on campus.