Student Life
Whetstone students are part of a supportive therapeutic community, living together in bunkrooms that are newly refurbished with a caring residential life staff. Students build strong relationships with other students, as well as with residential staff, many of whom are also their classroom teachers during the school day.
Building confidence and Healthy Habits
Student Life Activities
Adventure Programming
We utilize adventure experiences to create and teach students many qualities such as leadership, communication, goal setting, patience, accountability, safety, and self esteem. It’s an opportunity to face personal limits and then work to push those limits and deals with the risks and fears presented. Adventure trips are concrete metaphors for many issues the students face in their lives.
Students will participate in a wide variety of adventure programs including day hikes, backpacking trips, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, high/low ropes courses, and snowboarding and skiing.
Athletics & Exercise
The overall purpose of the physical education program are to develop in each student an understanding of the relationship of good body function and exercise; to motivate each student to develop physical fitness, to foster good social and emotional adjustment. Boys will participate in physical activities at least five days per week. We will have wilderness activities, intramural and interscholastic sports, along with a wide variety of recreational activities throughout the school week and on weekends. Physical activities will include: hiking, kayaking, biking, basketball, soccer , swimming and more!
Weekend Activities
Weekend activities take advantage of the regional attractions, beauty of Upstate SC, Western NC, and North GA. The trips include local scenic attractions, apple picking, pumpkin carving, skiing, hiking, museums, athletic events at Clemson University, fairs, and theatre performances. Often times our weekend activities are tied in with what we are focusing on in the classroom. Some examples of this are visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. Museum in Atlanta, or learning how to build and fly single engine planes! Special extended weekend trips during the year are often planned as well.
Whetstone Daily Schedule.
- 7:00-8:30 Wakeup/Breakfast
- 8:30-9:00 Morning School Group
- 9:00-10:30 Class
- 10:30-11:00 Break (Snack)
- 11:00-12:30 Class
- 12:30-1:30 Lunch/Chores
- 1:30-2:30 Clinical Group
- 2:30-4:30 Farm Based Learning
- 4:30-5:30 Organized Rec Activity
Whetstone Daily Schedule
- 5:30-6:00 Hygiene/Dinner Prep
- 6:00-7:00 Dinner/Chores
- 7:00-8:30 Homework/Showers
- 8:30-9:00 Indoor Free Time
- 9:00-9:30 Bedtime
- 9:30 Lights Out
The Everyday.
Social Life:
Boarding students develop healthy friendships in a relationship-based model by participating in daily structured activities with their peers that are staff directed.
Dining:
An important part of each student’s day is mealtime at Whetstone. Whetstone offers healthy, appetizing meals three times a day for students. Our chef plans well-balanced meals that appeal to all students. Many of our meals are based on the farm-to-table initiatives driven by our students who grow and harvest vegetables and gather eggs. Menus are prepared using fresh ingredients and meet nutritional guidelines for growing young men. Special dietary requirements can usually be met.
Community/Social:
The overall purpose of community and social activities is to develop an appreciation for and the enjoyment and value of helping others in our community, become responsible and effective leaders, encourage positive attitudes, appreciate and value individual differences, and take part in multi-cultural activities.
Whetstone Community Activities:
Students will participate in volunteer opportunities including food banks and animal shelters, educational activities, recreational, and cultural events.
Dining Services.
Whetstone offers healthy, appetizing meals three times a day for students. Our chef plans well-balanced meals that are appetizing and include farm-to-table vegetables and eggs gathered by our students from our farm & garden.
Menus are prepared using fresh ingredients and meet nutritional guidelines for growing young men and we include a salad bar daily which provides students with dietary restrictions healthy options as well. To ensure that our students are getting a healthy and balanced diet for their bodies, we consult with our dietician. You can read about her here.
Here are this month’s downloadable menus:
The talks that I have had with my therapist have allowed me to reflect and build upon lessons I have learned which have helped me to strengthen the relationship I have with my parents.
While at Whetstone, I have learned to better use my coping skills for when I am struggling. I would recommend Whetstone to any of my friends who were struggling with anxiety.
Whetstone does not enable you. It gives you the tools to become a better person everyday. No matter what the outcome, the staff at Whetstone always provide you with hope for your future.