We visited Kenyon (my alma mater) and Dickinson last fall, and our D is very interested in community service. In addition to the farm at Kenyon they have a local school that is essentially on campus, where our tour guide taught weekly as part of a class. The nearby town of Mount Vernon also has a number of community organizations where students volunteer. (Even back in the day I had friends who volunteered with a women’s shelter and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.) When we visited Dickinson they mentioned a similar range of volunteer opportunities, so there’s no shortage at either school.
The schools seem to be more alike than different, with of artsy kids and sporty kids, and plenty who are both! I’d say the biggest difference is campus environment, as Kenyon is both smaller and more isolated. Our D – and I – find Kenyon’s campus and village charming, while some might find it stifling. We weren’t as drawn to the more expansive Dickinson campus, but that’s a personal preference. Both schools have a great sense of community, though I’d say neither has the “rah rah” feel of a larger, athletics-focused school.