Residential Treatment

For many of the children at the Beloit Residential Treatment Center in Ames swimming at the pool, picnicking in the park and visiting the zoo are not familiar summer memories.  They are new and exciting events to anticipate in the coming months.

"It's going to be really fun going swimming," a Beloit resident said.

Starting this June, residents got the chance to partake in these "normal" summer activities as part of the Beloit summer program.  The outings are an opportunity to work on their behavioral and social skills outside of the campus setting. 

"Our goal is to get the children out of the treatment atmosphere," said Cassie Krough, LSI lead youth specialist.  "We want them to look back and remember these things when they get older."

Another component of the program is less typical.  By the time school rolls around again, these children will be well-versed in the Ames water system, and they might even let you in on where all the garbage goes.

"We thought it would be great for the kids to learn more about the community they live in," said Julie Larson, director of outreach and events for the Iowa State University Alumni Association.

Larson was one of the masterminds behind the summer program. As a part of Leadership Ames, a community involvement program for Ames citizens, Larson and other group members participated in a series of interactive community tours.  Sites of interest included the Ames Fire Station, Reiman Gardens, Mary Greeley Medical Center and city government facilities. Following the tours, the Leadership Ames class worked on group projects to better the community. One of these projects focused on giving potential future Ames leaders—the residents at Beloit—the same learning opportunities that they had just received.

"We really enjoyed our experience with Leadership Ames," Larson said. "A lot of us had never been to these places, even as adults. We wanted the kids to have the same educational experience."

Throughout the summer, children at Beloit will, among other activities, go to the CyRide bus wash, make cupcakes behind the scenes at the Hy-Vee bakery, visit the Ames Water Treatment and Resource Recovery plants, and try their hand at molding chocolates at Temptations on Main.

"It is just a good idea to go out into businesses and see what other things there are in life," said Tim Coble, co-owner of Temptations on Main.  "Some folks have never imagined how a small business is run, and that is an eye-opener."

Between the backstage pass to Ames and the field trips, children at Beloit have a lot to look forward to this summer.

Whether they are new to the area or simply have not had the chance to become an active member of the community, the Beloit summer program will present residents with hands-on learning activities off campus. And although they are the main beneficiaries of the summer plan, the children are not the only ones benefiting from the program.

"I think any time we can bring awareness to our businesses is wonderful," said Casey Grant, marketing project manager for First National Bank. "But I think the greatest benefit to the businesses is the knowledge that we are giving these children the opportunity to experience something they may not have had the chance to do on their own, to help them find a special interest they can pursue in their lives."