Waterford Country School Visit

I had the opportunity to tour the Waterford Country School last week, and I am impressed with their commitment to helping children reach their full potential.

A highlight was learning about their Special Education Day School, which serves 75-day students. This program offers individualized instruction and support, creating a nurturing environment for personal and academic growth for both from rural and urban backgrounds.

It was also a lot of fun getting up close and personal with some of the animals who are part of the Wildlife Rehabilitation program. It supports nearly 200 injured animals annually and offers invaluable learning experiences for the children and youth who are enrolled in programs offered by Waterford Country School. It’s a unique way for the youth to connect with nature and develop empathy and responsibility. Some are there temporarily if they are independent enough to be returned to the wild, while others will live out their entire lives at the school.

The landscape that the school sits on gives the students an opportunity to learn about the importance of agriculture and farming through work with the animals as well as growing vegetables on acres of farmland. They even have the chance to make their own foods like squash soup and have an amazing wood fire pizza oven!

Summer at the school is equally important with their summer camp, where 85 campers engage in fun and therapeutic activities, providing the support and adventure that is so critical.

Their Quality Parenting Center (QPC) focuses on maintaining parent-child relationships, while aiding reunification and decision-making for children in out-of-home care. Visitation Coaches play a vital role in a facility that has a very at-home feel to it. Also on the grounds of this facility is Functional Family Therapy Foster Care program, which offers in-home support and guidance for our youth that need stable environments in eastern Connecticut.

There are also programs that feature outdoor education and children’s mental health, that is all part of their mission to provide an atmosphere where all children can succeed and maximize potential.

A heartfelt thank you to Gales Ferry resident. Suzi Schell, who serves as the Development Coordinator, Aubrey O’Neill, Supervising Clinician of FFT Foster Care, Laura Hustus, and the entire Waterford Country School staff for their dedication and for taking the time to share their incredible work with me. Your efforts make a world of difference in the lives of these children and their families.

To view photos from our tour, click the link-

Waterford Country School Photos.