This study measured the emotional responses of students to common service learning activities. Two hypotheses focused on (1) expected changes in the mean emotion scores and (2) expected differences in individual responses. Results showed significant increases in Surprise, Anxiety and Distress and individual differences in Contempt, Disgust and Fear. The findings suggest that educational institutions have a responsibility to adequately prepare students for service learning experiences. There is also a need to accommodate the different sensitivities students have when service learning is required.