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The Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement program, ACE, has announced the summer 2020 program line-up.  ACE will begin accepting applications from Duke and Stanford student athletes who wish to participate in an immersive, three-week volunteer service program abroad on Dec. 6, 2019. Alongside fellow student athletes from Stanford University, selected Duke Blue Devils and Cardinal will serve in Peru, South Africa, Thailand (for the first time in 2020), or Vietnam and engage in a wide variety of activities that include youth development and coaching, environmental sustainability and conservation and teaching.

In Peru, student-athletes will support community development and environmental conservation programs through education-related initiatives and infrastructure projects in indigenous communities in the Cusco region. Student-athletes who travel to South Africa will assist in running a sports holiday program for children and community workshops for adults, located in the informal communities of Nomzamo and Zola Townships near Gordon’s Bay. In Vietnam, student-athletes will teach academics, sports, and life skills at a summer camp to middle school youth in rural Vietnam, with a focus on mentorship and promoting higher education. In the new ACE program in Thailand, student-athletes will contribute to the development of marginalized students, migrants, and refugee youth living in the Chiang Mai area through academic support, leadership training, and physical education.

ACE launched in early 2015 thanks to the generous support and vision of David Rubenstein and Peter and Helen Bing. This summer marks ACE’s fifth year of providing full funding for 20 Duke and 20 Stanford student-athletes to participate in a three-week, immersive summer service experience with an international community partner.  ACE will highlight and celebrate the program’s fifth summer of service in various ways throughout the coming year.

Applications and coach recommendations for summer 2020 programs are due Wednesday, January 22, 12 noon PST / 3PM EST.