School Days
During the school year, our children spend most of the day in school, of course. They may attend a local public school, or may be served by the Price Educational Center here on our campus. Education is a priority at the Methodist Children’s Home. We provide the resources needed to help our children get up to grade level and do well in their school work.
When they come home from school, they are met with a snack. Then they usually participate in a campus recreation activity. The activities are different depending on the day of the week. It could be a simple game, or we might plan a team-building recreational therapy activity.
Following supper served in our campus dining hall, residents return to their cottages for study hall and tutoring. Depending on the day, the time after study hall may be free time, or they may have therapy and counseling.
Each resident has some chores to do, which may be done at any time during the day, depending on what their chore is. Helping keep their environment clean and orderly builds pride and confidence in young people. It also helps teach basic skills for independent living.
We end the day with time to calm down and unwind from the day. Bed time varies with the age of the resident.
Summer Days
During the summer, the schedule varies. Older youth usually have summer jobs, either on-campus or off-campus (we pay for on campus jobs just like an off-campus job would pay). We teach the children basic financial and savings skills with the money they earn, showing them how to both spend and save for the short and long term.
For our younger residents, June is spent in New Horizons activities. Residents are divided into groups, and each group rotates among fun learning activities. They might learn how to cook a dish or how to pot a plant. They might be visited by a music teacher, or visit a local farm to learn how corn is grown and harvested.
In July, our younger children attend camp at Vinson Valley sponsored by the Byron United Methodist Church. This is a great camp, and provides many wonderful opportunities for our children.
In the afternoons, children have a snack before enjoying some pool time and swimming. After a great meal in our dining room, children may have free time, or may participate in our intramural sports league on campus. On some days the evening will include therapy time for our residents.
We are blessed to enjoy some special activities in summer. Vacation Bible School is provided on campus. Many visiting youth groups enrich our children with their presence and their presentation. Special trips and day outings make the days a lot of fun (see our Activities page for info on these).
Bibb County schools begin in August, and the summer is over.
Sundays
On Sundays, we observe the Sabbath at The Methodist Children’s Home. Cottages usually attend worship at a local United Methodist congregation in the community or at campus-wide chapel services. . The afternoon is given over to cottage time, when the children are encouraged to relax, to play, and to keep the Sabbath.
