Reactions From Educators

"I have never seen Scholars as excited about community service as they were after participating in Wave Week. Spark the Wave has taught our students how to plan their own service initiatives and then execute them in ways that give other students reasons to be excited about service as well. It is great to see an organization focus on the connection between leadership and service - it definitely has been an asset to our students!"

-Keith Wilkerson
Senior Program Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region

"We have used Spark the Wave for a few years to conduct our peer mediation training. I have been impressed with the team's ability to teach important issues in a way that really stays with our students. The training was fun, highly interactive and definitely worthwhile. We plan to continue to rely on Spark the Wave to help us in developing leadership in our students. I also encourage other professionals to promote the Spark the Wave summer camps which were a great benefit to the students who attended."

-Mary Clare Roeder
Guidance Counselor, Elizabeth Seton High School

"Our Teen Girl Scouts were working on their Program Aid certification and we hired STW to teach our group of 55 teen girls communication skills. STW lead various hands on activities that helped the girls understand that people see, hear and learn differently. During our year end review, many of the girls asked if we could bring back STW for future workshops. We found this organization to be easy to work with, organized and very good at what they do as well as reasonably priced."

-Rebecca Umberger
Girl Scout Teen Troop 656 Advisor - Springfield, VA

"As a counselor for the students at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, I am always looking for opportunities to enrich our students. Wave Week, Spark the Wave's summer program has been the single most effective leadership development program that I have experienced in my many years at Good Counsel. While the mission of Spark the Wave is to encourage students to do volunteer work, the curriculum encompasses so much more in terms of the leadership qualities needed to initiate and carry out service programs. As counselors we know the impact of service on positive character development and on optimistic outlook. The benefits of Spark the Wave are numerous. Given the growth we see in our students, I can think of no reason to go elsewhere."

-Eleanor M. Donaghue, PhD, L.C.P.C.
Director of Counseling
OLGC High School, Olney Maryland

"Spark the Wave is an enthusiastic leadership training program that delivers. Former students who have attended the camp, or who have been a part of smaller leadership training sessions, have repeatedly raved about it. My students have honed their project management skills as well team building and group membership skills. Their work is fun, relevant and timely. Much laughter and learning about themselves and one another going on....a great combination! "

-Linda Campanelli, PhD
Middle School Teacher
Holy Trinity School
Washington, D.C.

"DeMatha Catholic High School has been using Spark the Wave for the past 3 years, to work with our rising juniors and seniors for our Big Brother Orientation and Leadership Institute. Dr. Gallagher is wonderful at selecting the activities that have the best impact on our students and they respond with enthusiasm. We change the program a little every year and STW changes with us, always flexible, always giving 100%. Our program would not be what it is today without STW and Dr. Gallagher."

-Sarah Stockton
Guidance Counselor at
De Matha Catholic High School

"The staff of Spark the Wave is highly motivated to provide the best possible program for their clients. They are high energy with a capital E and very engaging in sharing their vast expertise."

-Kathleen Pfeffer
Community Service Corps
Office for Youth and Young Adults