Youth courts are among the fastest growing crime intervention programs in the United States. Youth courts divert minor offenders from overloaded juvenile courts and hold juveniles responsible for their actions. The most popular disposition given by youth courts is community service. When administered properly, community service can contribute to the principles of restorative justice. The goal then is to implement community service options that can realize the principles of restorative justice. The result is making a connection between classroom-based study and service to the community, also called service learning. Because of the shared goals and objectives of balanced and restorative justice and school-based service learning, youth courts can take advantage of the expertise that educators have developed about service learning. School-based service learning revolves around the concept of community service. This manual provides the tools needed to apply school-based service-learning methods to community service dispositions for youth courts. With community service learning, respondents can explore their potential as citizens by helping communities meet their education, public safety, human, and environmental needs. The manual describes the role of a project supervisor, step-by-step instructions for supervisors, handouts or directives, community service learning options, materials and preparation, and project guidelines. Resources