Bethseda Home for Boys

Residential

Housed in spacious Cottages that accommodate ten to eleven young men, Bethesda students are under the direction and guidance of a highly qualified, caring married couple who are the houseparents for the Cottage. More than just caretakers, houseparents take an active, nurturing interest in Bethesda's students' development and well-being. They have the responsibility to support students in their day-to-day lives and serve as the primary contact for the children in their care, in partnership with a natural parent or guardian.
 
Many of Bethesda's students live on campus during the week and on many weekends.  So the student home and houseparents are at the core of each young man's stability and safety while they are here. Each student is cared for by a married houseparent couple who have child-care experience. Although houseparents provide guidance, support, and discipline, parents have lots of contact with their children, through phone calls, e-mail, and visits. Houseparents, teachers, and others all work together to keep you informed and in touch with your child. It's a team effort and you will play a key role.

• Student homes are large homes with comfortable common areas for doing homework and relaxing.
• Nine to eleven students of similar age groups live in each home.
• Each student shares a bedroom with one or two other young men.
• Students are responsible for chores such as vacuuming, cleaning the common areas, keeping his room clean, and doing laundry.

Houseparents are supported by a staff which includes a Residential Care Coordinator, Dean of Students, Director of Support Services, Activities Director and additional care-taking personnel.  Houseparents regularly participate in research based training and professional development activities that are rooted in best practices for residential programs. 

Each Cottage maintains a schedule to ensure that busy students are able to meet their responsibilities with adequate time for sleep, studies, chores and relaxation. Most meals are eaten together at the Bethesda Dining Hall which provides breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Upon occasion, students indulge in pizza night or cook dinner for their Cottage family under the close supervision of their houseparents. 

Residential students regularly take advantage of the many recreational opportunities afforded by Bethesda Home and School for Boys' unique campus.  Whether its crabbing off the dock or jumping on the water trampoline in one of Bethesda's lakes, shooting hoops in the gymnasium or swimming in the olympic sized swimming pool - there are abundant opportunities for young men to be active, have fun and make friends.  Recreational opportunities include:

• Gymnasium and equipped weight room
• Olympic size swimming pool
• A dock and access to the Moon River
• Two large fresh water lakes
• A football field and baseball field
• Indoor and outdoor basketball courts
• Expansive grounds including a cattle farm and pristine marshland

Students also participate in planned group activities including trips to sporting events, movies and theater events, and area recreational opportunities.

While many of Bethesda's students return home for the weekends, students who elect to stay on campus are invited to attend area worship services with their houseparents.  Additionally, services are held on some Sunday evenings in the Chapel on the Bethesda campus.