Planning service projects can require a great deal of communication no matter the date, location, or other logistics. Weather obviously is a factor for service projects held in January, so keep that in mind as you're speaking with non-profits. Outdoor MLK Challenge projects certainly have been completed before -- in both nice and not-so-nice weather. And keep in mind as well, that not all of the logistics for these projects were arranged ahead of time, per the MLK Challenge model. As an example, the Hospice group had to purchase/find donations for everything -- the vegetables for the soup, the containers, etc. & they even got extras (bread from a local bakery, or movie tickets one year, or even beta fish) donated to give to caretakers. (See developing challenges & communicating with non-profits for more information on those topics).

The following projects are obviously specific to one particular campus and community. Hopefully they'll spark some ideas for potential projects in your community!

Sample challenge projects:

Henry Blair Farm -- This is the oldest structure in Boone, and participants spent the day helping to prepare it for the National Historic Registry. The overall challenge involved construction & demolition, specifically the students helped remove drywall & restored several outbuildings.

Hospice of Watauga County -- Group continued an ASU MLK Challenge legacy by preparing soup from scratch, buying containers, packing, and taking soup to Hospice families & caretakers.

Western Youth Network (WYN) -- This challenge was a "fundraising" challenge of sorts. The group was asked to collect graphic calculators, bookbags, pens, notebooks, and any supplies that would help the kids in their after-school program. Another year, a group helped to literally move the offices of the WYN staff so they could get new carpet put in that day. In between furniture-moving, the group helped with several upkeep projects (painting, cleaning, etc).

Hospitality House -- The challenge at this local homeless shelter was to refurbish the living room by updating furniture, a fresh coat of paint, and new artwork.

Computers for Schools International -- This relatively new agency in Boone was excited to receive a group of motivated volunteers to sort through literally an entire room-full of computers. MLK Challenge participants packed, shipped, and weighed computer parts to be send to the first lady of Honduras to be sent to schools in need.

Children's Playhouse -- This kid's art centre needed help with several mini-construction projects around their site. Group members helped build benches & activity tables for the playroom, created a mural, and did some touch-up painting throughout the space.

Sugar Grove Developmental Day School -- The challenge here involved helping to construct a playground with parent volunteers, as well as building storage units for several of the classrooms.

Animal Shelter -- The spay/neuter room at the Watauga County Animal Shelter needed a fresh coat of paint, so group members spent the first half of the day there, and the latter half spent helping to organize & clean out the shelter at the shelter's thrift store.

Habitat for Humanity -- This group created water-bars to prevent flooding on a road leading out to 5 Habitat houses. Habitat home owners & staff were on-hand to help as well.

Mountain Alliance -- This youth-focused leadership & outdoor education organization needed help organizing their gear shed -- participants cleaned, organized, and helped build storage units to ensure the kids had access to the gear they needed for trips. Another year, a group helped revamp the climbing wall at this organization.

Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute -- Group helped construct perches for flight cages for owls soon to be returned back to the Institute. the group also worked (with guidance) on an aviary that was already in process.

Appalachian Brian Estates -- This is another "legacy" of sorts of ASU's MLK Challenge. This group had til 3 p.m. to brainstorm, plan, find donations, and set-up for a January birthday party for 50 residents of this retirement home.