Treehouse Club
Treehouse Club is a free and voluntary 6-8 week program for elementary students who have or are experiencing trauma stemming from divorce or separation, adoption, foster care, incarceration, immigration, military deployment or other causes.
The Treehouse Club program in Turlock is under the umbrella of the Turlock Police Chaplaincy which supports emotional recovery for persons in the Turlock community after critical incidents. Treehouse Club plays its part by creating a safe and supportive environment for children.
Students
Students can be preselected by school counselors, or enrolled by parents who see the Treehouse Club information on their school’s website. Permission slips are part of the enrollment process. Treehouse Club meets privately in a classroom during school hours for 1-hour sessions. Topics include family changes, divorce care, unhealthy emotions, healthy social and emotional coping skills, bullying, loving connectedness, confidence, forgiveness and reconciliation. Most students report relief that they have a safe space to talk it out, so they can work it out. They are also relieved to see that they are not alone, and learn from other students who are going through similar circumstances.
Facilitators
All Treehouse facilitators have been vetted and approved by a school district.
Many of them are retired teachers or other experienced child-minded volunteers who provide the caring, nurturing support. Volunteers use books, expressive art and other interactive activities to teach fragile students coping skills so they can become emotionally resilient and restored; able to understand and interpret their circumstances, and to express themselves so emotional healing can set in.
If you are interested in adopting this Social-Emotional Learning program, contact Ashley Mutchler, Lead Coordinator of Treehouse Club Turlock at ashleym@montevistachapel.org.