What You Will Do at Wediko

Days at Wediko are full of fun and excitement.  Even students who don't like to wake up early quickly begin to look forward to the start of each new day at Wediko.   

You'll be living with a group of eight to 11 same-sex peers, along with four or five cabin counselors.  Together, you'll eat meals, go to Think City (Wediko's school), learn new skills in activities, compete in Special Sunday events, participate in daily group therapy, and attend social events.  At times, you'll participate in activities with other groups of boys or girls who are also at Wediko to learn better ways of getting along in their lives.

Students work hard at Wediko, but they also have a lot of fun (so do the staff!).  Activities are designed to offer opportunities for success, and no one is left out of the action. 

Typical day at the Summer Program

Mornings

  • 7:00 - Wake up
  • 7:30 - Breakfast
  • 8:30 - Cabin clean-up
  • 9:30 - Morning activities (13 possible activities, including athletics, tennis, archery, theatre, art, music, dance, free swim, swim lessons, canoeing/kayaking, rock and boat fishing, mountain biking, and "brain games.") 
  • 11:00 - Group therapy (Students are encouraged to discuss the experience of living in a group and to reflect on their own roles in relationships, among other topics.)

Afternoons

  • 12:00 - Lunch
  • 1:00 - Think City (Students are separated into ability-based classrooms, ranging from basic to college prep.  Lessons include math, science, English, and language arts.  Learning activities are developed to be hands-on, interactive, and fun!)
  • 3:00 - Sign-up activities (Free choice.  Activities are designed to teach skills and encourage group participation.)
  • 4:00 - Group swim

Evenings

  • 5:00 - Dinner 
  • 6:00 - Arcade (PlayStations, Gamecubes, Wii, ping-pong tables, foosball tables, air hockey) and playground time
  • 7:00 - Evening activity (large-group games, for example, soccer, basketball, or Capture the Flag)
  • 8:00 - 10:00 Winding down and lights-out (depending on age)

Special Sundays

Frog, Newt, and Toad Day; Track and Field Day; Water Carnival; Visitor’s Day; Talent Show; and Crafts Carnival. 

  • 8:00 - Wake up
  • 9:00 - Breakfast
  • 10:00 - Clean up 
  • 10:30 - 'Sunday Sing'
  • 12:00 - Lunch
  • 12:30 - Special Sunday events
  • 4:00 - Group therapy
  • 5:00 - Dinner & normal evening schedule

Pre-vocational program

Wediko has a pre-vocational program where older students learn to work in the kitchen, laundry, and on landscaping crews.  They learn job skills and earn a stipend.  

Living arrangements 

Students are assigned to cabin living groups (based on developmental age) of 8 to 12 students each.  At least two staff members sleep in cabins with the children. All cabins have bunk beds and full bathrooms with private showers.

Staff

Each cabin group has:

  • three activity staff (assist group with wake up, clean-up, meals, and run an activity); 
  • three or four residential counselors (with group throughout the day); 
  • one lead staff (who leads group throughout the day) and
  • a trained clinical supervisor.

Meals

Students eat with their group in one of Wediko’s two dining halls.  Meals are served family style and include food that kids like.  The salad bar and fruit bar are always well stocked and there is always a vegetarian option.    

Medication 

Many children take medications that are distributed by nurses.