Penn State’s annual Fresh START Day of Service encourages students to “get rooted” in local service opportunities and within student organizations. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 28.

The program aims to help new students develop a passion for giving back to the community and inspire them to continue civic engagement moving forward. Students will be introduced to service opportunities in State College and service clubs to join at Penn State.

Interested participants and clubs can sign up for the event through an online form by Friday, August 27. All students can participate, but the program is designed for freshmen, change-of-campus students, transfers, and World Campus students.

Here’s this year’s schedule:

• 10 to 11 a.m. — Check-in outside of Alumni Hall in the HUB
• 11 to 11:30 a.m. — Snacks & team-building activities
• 11:30 a.m. — Begin dismissing to community partner sites
• 12 to 3 p.m. — Volunteering with community partners
• 3 to 4:30 p.m. — Meal & service organization fair to learn more about how to get involved

Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that is fine to get dirty. Additionally, participating students will receive a free lunch, free snacks, a free t-shirt, and a free water bottle.