Methacton High School

The Best Buddies Club has a mission to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At Methacton, we do this by matching student volunteers in mutually enriching friendships with students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Membership: Membership in any Best Buddies chapter is open to all students in good standing with their school administration without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or politics. High school chapter members include students in both general education and special education settings. Below are the membership opportunities available through Best Buddies for interested volunteers:  

           Peer buddy: A student without IDD committed to a one-to-one friendship for one academic year with a person with IDD.  

           Buddy: An individual with mild to moderate IDD who commits to a one-to-one friendship with a student without IDD for one academic year. Students will need to have a flexible schedule that will allow them to attend events and one-to-one outings with their Peer Buddy. Buddy Pairs have this responsibility throughout the year and Peer Buddies need to also fulfill this requirement. 

           Associate Member: Associate Members are members of the chapter who are not matched in a one-to-one friendship but attend all of the outings and participate in all of our fundraisers. They can join pairs throughout the year for outings and events.

           Associate Buddy: Associate Buddies are members of the chapter who are not matched in a one-to-one friendship. These individuals may not be able to commit to a one-to-one friendship or there may not be enough members without IDD that sign up to be a Peer Buddy to match with all members with IDD. If there are not enough members that sign up for Peer Buddies then some Buddies will become Associate Buddies but they are still a huge part of the club and will join pairs throughout the year for outings and events. We are hopeful that this will not happen this year but we will not know until the club officially starts in October. 

Club Activities: Throughout the year the club plans activities and events that everyone in the club is able to participate in. We also hold different fundraisers throughout the school year.

Chapter Meetings – once per month-discuss/plan for upcoming event. First Wednesday of every month, unless otherwise noted.

One-to-one Outings – Buddy Pairs are required to contact each other weekly (in school or out of school) and participate in activities monthly for a full academic year. Pairs should try to get together once a month. 

Group Outings –a time for Peer Buddies, Buddies and Associate Members to all get together as a group for a social activity.  Four group outings are required per academic year but we try to schedule one or two a month, this gives students many opportunities to get together outside of school. Advisors do not attend these group outings. This is not a Best Buddies Advisor ran event and a nurse will not be present. If your child needs any assistance please make sure a parent attends these events.