Lodgepole Student Housing Students live in Residential Houses, which are designed to have 12 students in two separate living areas. In addition to the living quarters, each House has a common room, a laundry room, and a small workroom that all members of the House are welcome to use. While living in the Houses, Students have an opportunity to learn about, develop, and practice democratic governance. They also engage in cross-cultural understanding on a daily basis by learning to live together respectfully in a diverse community. A House Team structure within each House provides Students with ample opportunity for interpersonal growth as well as the lessons that arise from sustained group activities such as sports, service projects, and chores. Living accommodations play a large role in the community we have at Eagle Rock. All students live on campus in one of the six houses in the living village. These accommodations are intentionally built and designed to foster intentional living and community building, as well as living in respectful harmony with others. There are six houses on campus: Lodgepole, Spruce, Juniper, Ponderosa, Pinon and Aspen. Each house can accommodate 12 students. The physical design of each house is identical with the exception of Juniper house which is on one level making it differently abled accessible.. There is a common living area that is an area full of couches and tables designed to accommodate students relaxing and spending time together, or getting work done. There is a smaller room off the common area, which has computers and phones for students use. Finally, there is a laundry area where students are responsible for their own laundry while at Eagle Rock. Off each commons area are 2 “wings” set up to house 6 students each, in which each student has a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. There is also a common bathroom in each wing that the students share. Finally, off each commons area is a door that is attached to the “Houseparent Apartment” for that house. A house parent is a staff member who lives as part of the house, and plays a surrogate parent role to the students in that house while they are at Eagle Rock. House parents vary from single staff members, to staff members who live with a partner, and possibly children and families of their own. Houseparents play many roles for their students, including but not limited to health & wellness issues, academic accountability, contact with parents/sponsors, availability as an emergency contact 24 hours a day, and the student’s overall well being while at Eagle Rock. Housing at Eagle Rock not only fulfills a physical need for the students, but also provides another avenue for students to practice democratic governance, effective communication, and living in respectful harmony with others. Each house has its own culture, and the students are responsible for creating and maintaining the culture of their house. They set up chores schedules, organize social events, run house meetings, send representatives to staff meetings, play intramurals together against other houses, and offer a close support network not often found in other areas of campus. Living in such close quarters with other people forces students to deal with issues as they arise and get to know their peers on a deeper level than otherwise possible. There is very often a “family atmosphere” created in the Eagle Rock houses. These houses become a home for students at Eagle Rock. Most of the time a student is placed in a house upon their arrival at Eagle Rock, and will remain a part of that house until they leave. There are a few exceptions in which students may be switched to a different house. Houses play yet another role in the creation of community at Eagle Rock School, and help students and staff connect on a different level.