A major component of the Turning Point program is service to the community. Service can be as simple as collecting trash along the beach, to as meaningful as developing rich relationships with elders. At Turning Point School, service learning is the reciprocal relationship between our students and the community we serve; it is a learning experience for all parties involved, so more than just community service. The service students engage in is meaningful because they understand the reason behind their actions. For example, students studying marine biology understand the impact of pollution on ocean animals, so when collecting trash on the beach they recognize the meaning of their service and can make informed decisions to be better stewards of the environment. The opportunity for students to make real connections within the community, and play a role in the planning so they are providing service that they have deemed important, empowers students to be active participants in the process of service.