The Residential experience occurs twenty-four hours a day, 365 days per year. Residents live in comfortable, home-like dormitories where there is a strong focus on positive behavior. Trained staff helps the youth become aware of choices in behaviors and offer positive rewards for positive behavior. Consistency, patience, guidance in the unit program, homework supervision, and support of individual counseling and participation in therapy groups are the primary responsibilities of youth care counselors. Each dormitory also has daily groups that support and encourage healthy peer interactions.

Positive choices are also emphasize d in staff supervisio n of day-to-da y living skills and recreation al activities. These include activities such as team sports, social skills groups, life skills and guided structure d play experienc es. Special off campus trips, swimming, fishing, ice-skatin g, boating, etc are all offered. Activities are safe and our trained staff appropriately monitors students. Participation in community activities such as recreational league athletic teams, YMCA, off-campus jobs and driver education, supplement the residential experience. There are periodic weekend and other vacation home visits for boys with families or visiting resources.

Youth Care Counselors involve students in a dynamic Life Skills Program. The program employs an active-learning approach to teach students the vital skills they will need to begin the lifelong practices that are essential for successful integration into their community. Our Life Skills program not only helps them to acquire core skills such as personal hygiene, cleaning, cooking and money management, but also the higher level proficiencies such as social skills, conflict resolution and critical thinking.

In recognition of the importance of decision-making and problem solving in today's world, Harmony Hill utilizes a thinking skills program called P.O.W.E.R. ("Picking Options With Effective Results") which is infused throughout the Life Skills Curriculum.

The Dr. Paul V. Sherlock Transitional Cottage is a special living cottage on campus. The five older boys assigned to this pre-independent living program are generally nearing discharge from Harmony Hill School and are entitled to more privileges and responsibilities in a less restrictive setting.

Annual events are held for the enjoyment of the boys and their families, staff, the Board of Trustee's and friends of the school. These events include Field Day, Science Fair, Awards Night, Annual Dinner, Summer Fair and Fall Picnic.