2022 ACE Program Wrap-Up – Duke University

DURHAM – With the 2022 ACE Program complete, we take a moment to look back on the program’s seventh year.

This summer, ACE offered five virtual service programs and one in-person US-based program focused on supporting community-based organizations located in Peru, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, and Colorado for 22 Duke and Stanford student-athletes representing 17 different sports teams. Virtual programs allow ACE the opportunity to continue to offer impactful summer service experiences for Duke and Stanford student-athletes in the midst of the on-going global COVID-19 pandemic and provide a flexible option for student-athletes to engage in service experiences. Some student-athletes completed their ACE experience while living on campus, training and taking summer school classes, while others while others participated from their hometowns located around the world.

The ACE in Colorado program, ACE’s first ever in-person US-based program, gave student’s impactful experience and education in environmental conservation and sustainability, and maintained ACE’s mission of delivering experiences to student-athletes through discussion and engagement on global conservation efforts. This summer’s programs were a culmination of the efforts of the ACE staff, ACE Ambassador Alumni, and community partners working together to bring ACE back to in-person programming as well as continuing to provide meaningful virtual service experiences. Through virtual and in-person service experiences, ACE student-athletes had the opportunity to participate in collaborative service projects, form relationships across the Duke and Stanford athletic community, and connect with community partners around the world. Across the six programs, ACE student-athletes contributed over 950 hours of service.

WHAT DID THEY DO THIS SUMMER?

ACE in Colorado 2022 (new in-person program)

Program dates: June 15 – July 6

ACE’s first ever in-person domestic US-based program, the ACE team assisted in promoting global conservation and environmental stewardship efforts by supporting community-led initiatives in the western rural regions of Colorado located near the communities of Gunnison and Durango. Community partner projects included volunteering on an organic farm based around regenerative agriculture, supporting initiatives to regenerate alpine wetlands,…