Welcome to Birch House!
Wellness & Recreation
Run by Vance Schmitt and Katherine Schmitt
House Pet: a border collie named Scout
The staff and residents of Birch House embrace a lifestyle of movement, play, and healthy living. Here, staff concentrate on encouraging outdoor play, healthy eating habits, and a strong emphasis on physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Residents of Birch House are required to spend time outside every day, regardless of the weather, and are taught to appreciate seasonal fluctuations. Staff focus on helping youngsters learn the value of activity, fresh, healthy food, and taking care of their bodies as well as their minds. Children and adolescents living in the house are expected to engage with physical activity as part of their ongoing education.
As with the other homes in the Orphan Village, screentime is strictly limited to allow residents more space to explore the world around them and to connect with one another, themselves, and nature. Instead, residents are encouraged to take to the jogging trail, take a dip in the outdoor pool, or relax in the hammock grove with their friends before coming together at the end of a busy day to share a meal around the table together. At Birch House, residents and staff are a family who build lasting relationships and memories that last even when youngsters are adopted outside of the Orphan Village.
Outdoor Features- Swimming pool with lifeguard station
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Adventure playground with ropes and climbing features
- Outdoor climbing boulder
- Marked jogging trail around the grounds
- Bike and scooter pump track
- Hammock grove for relaxation
Indoor Features- Large communal dining room with seating for the entire household
- Oversized family kitchen with multiple ovens, generous prep space, and ample storage
- Spacious family room with enough seating for residents and staff to gather together
- Large mudroom with individual cubbies for each resident
- Dedicated storage area for towels, swimsuits, and other outdoor gear
- Extra-capacity laundry room for towels, sportswear, and everyday clothing
- Built-in storage for balls, rackets, helmets, and other recreational equipment
- Sunroom or enclosed porch overlooking the grounds
- Indoor movement room with open floor space, mats, and simple exercise equipment
- Quiet room for relaxation and cooling down after active play
- House bulletin board for schedules, activities, chores, and announcements
- Wide rear entry designed to accommodate residents returning from outdoor activities
- Durable, easy-to-clean flooring throughout high-traffic areas
- Bedrooms decorated with bright, nature-inspired themes
- Staff office conveniently located near the main common areas
- Staff break room for rotating personnel
- Storage closet for first aid supplies, sunscreen, bug spray, towels, and water bottles
- Large coat and shoe area for outdoor clothing and equipment
- Walk-in pantry sized to support a large household
- Informal sitting area adjacent to the kitchen for conversation and supervised activities
