Fall Festival

The Waco campus and Boys Ranch recently held a fall festival out at the Ranch. With the wide variety of activities offered, there was definitely something for everyone.

The day of festivities began with outdoor worship at the equestrian pavilion on the Ranch. After worship, our youth enjoyed a great picnic lunch complete with a huge selection of desserts that were entered in the dessert competition.

Games and activities included: horseback riding, tractor-pulled wagon ride, bucking barrel ride, ring toss, balloon popping, seed spitting contest, face painting, an inflatable challenge course and more. Thanks to the work of our great recreation staff, both MCH young people, and even staff members, had a great time taking in all the fun. Here are some photos from this special event.

Bulldogs Take State

Here are some highlights and photos from the TCSAAL State Championship this past weekend. The championship was held on the Waco campus and both our volleyball and flag football teams competed for state titles.

The MCH volleyball team won against the Sanchez Charter School in their first championship game and then advanced to the final game against Mt. Carmel. Although the Lady Bulldogs came in second in state, Mt. Carmel's team which has gone undefeated for three years said that the MCH volleyball team was the best competition they have had in a very long time. Way to go, Lady Bulldogs!

The MCH Bulldogs took on The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences for their first flag football championship game, winning with a score of 33-12. The final game, against Hampton Preparatory also brought the Bulldogs a win with a score of 26-6, but this win also earned them rights to the TCSAAL state title! Congratulations to all the MCH athletes and coaches for a great season.

Going to State

Methodist Children's Home athletes in volleyball and flag football not only made it to the state championship, the state championship is coming to them! MCH will be hosting the Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League (TCSAAL) State Championships on Saturday on the Waco campus. This is a high honor for our young athletic program.

The first MCH football game starts at 8:00 AM and the first MCH volleyball game starts at noon. If you are planning to be in Waco on Saturday, come on over and support the MCH Bulldogs!

Did you know that both our volleyball and flag football teams are undefeated in league play? Way to go, Bulldogs!

Commissioners visit Waco

This week marked our annual Commissioners Meeting. The two-day event kicked off with a lively dinner and program in the brand new Boys Ranch Recreation and Activities Center on Tuesday evening.

Several boys from the Ranch shared the story of how their lives have been impacted by life at Methodist Children's Home. In fact, one young man gave us permission to share his comments here on the blog so that you can hear his testimony. Click here to read Chris's inspiring story.

Trey Oakley, vice president of development, welcomed the Commissioners.

Bobby Gilliam, MCH president, addressed the meeting attendees.

Commissioners and Boys Ranch staff and students enjoying the evening.

Jordan, a Boys Ranch resident, shared his story.

Reverend Travis Franklin from Salado brought the Tuesday evening message and encouraged Commissioners to provide light in the darkness for youth in need of guidance and support.

Reverend Franklin, a former MCH chaplain who was with MCH
for 12 years, shared inspiring stories from MCH alumni.

On Wednesday morning, the Commissioners gathered at the Johnson Student Center on the Waco campus and heard reports and stories from a variety of departments across the organization. The highlight of the morning was a special performance by the MCH Charter School choir.

Becca McPherson, director of development,
planned and organized the successful event.

Commissioners and development staff sharing morning fellowship.

Dr. Jack Kyle Daniels, former president of the Home,
held a book signing for his memoir.

MCH student athletes shared about their experiences.

MCH Charter School choir offered several musical selections.

The Meeting concluded with a luncheon in the Community Room where Commissioners were joined by members of the MCH Student Leadership Team.

Methodist Children's Home Commissioners are nominated by MCH development staff or benefactors and serve as liaisons for the Home. Commissioners help raise funds and promote Methodist Children's Home in their churches and communities across Texas and New Mexico.

Did you attend Commissioners? Tell us about your experience in the "Comments" section below!

GAPP Banquet

The Methodist Children's Home Grandparents as Parents Program in Waco held a recognition banquet to honor local grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The banquet was held last Friday, September 25.

Rehan McNeil, coordinator of the Grandparents as Parents Program, was glad the Home was able to provide a night of relaxation and fun for hard-working grandparents.

"We wanted to let our grandparents know how we, as a community, appreciate the sacrifices they are making to care for their grandchildren," said McNeil.

Mayor Virgnia DuPuy was in attendance and honored grandparents during her speech, as did several administrators from Methodist Children's Home. Guest speaker, Antonio Brown, shared his personal experience of living with his grandmother and the impact she made on his life and future choices.


The evening of dining, music and speakers was capped off with awards for the grandparents.



Kaleigh (pictured above), and other MCH residents, volunteered their time to help with the grandchildren in attendance.

For all the grandchildren and grandparents in attendance it was definitely a night to remember!

GAPP Night Out

For many of the grandparents connected with our Grandparents as Parents Program, having a night to themselves is not a regular occurrence. For these grandparents, their time is filled with raising busy grandchildren and staying on top of all of their activities. And many times these grandparents are still juggling other responsibilities to their work, church and community.

Seeing the need for a night of freedom for grandparents, Rehan McNeil, coordinator of the Grandparents as Parents Program organized a Grandparents Night Out event. The kids were whisked off to the Waco campus where they took part in an exciting evening of relaxation and fun. The grandchildren went swimming in the pool, held relay races, bounced on inflatables, ate snow cones, cotton candy and pizza, and even had face-painting and karaoke!

Meanwhile, the grandparents enjoyed a night of relaxation knowing their grandchildren were in good hands. Youth from the Waco campus volunteered to help with the children during the festivities, and staff from the Transition Services department were on hand to make sure everyone had plenty of food and fun. Here are some photos from the event.





Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!

Boys Ranch Ribbon Cutting

This past Saturday marked a special celebration in the lives of our Boys Ranch youth and staff. The brand new Boys Ranch Recreation and Activities Center was dedicated along with a special ribbon cutting. Representatives from the Boys Ranch, MCH administration and special donors, alumni and friends were in attendance. Here are some pictures from the memorable celebration.

Boys Ranch Youth, staff and friends at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

After the Ribbon Cutting, the Ranch held it's first free-throw contest. Five boys competed in the contest against their challenger, Dick Kenyon, a member of the MCH Board of Directors.

While at the Ranch for the Groundbreaking in the fall of 2008, Kenyon had challenged the boys to a free-throw contest once the gym was complete. Kenyon made good on his challenge during the Ribbon Cutting and even managed to win! The boys were excited to compete against Kenyon.

Saber lines up his shot at the free-throw line.

Dick Kenyon showed the boys he had been practicing!

Over the course of the past week the boys have wholeheartedly embraced the new facility with even more boys participating in recreation than usual. Thank you to all the individuals, families, churches and foundations who made this building project a success.