Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness believes that providing students with academic coursework helps to establish an integrated, superior wilderness experience. Blue Ridge has created a unique curriculum in which academics and course credits are available to clients in grades 9 through 12. Their mission is to afford challenging academic opportunities to students receiving their therapeutic services. Blue Ridge is accredited by AdvancEd Accreditation Commission – a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools throughout the country. This program is based on a 90-hour curriculum that covers four subjects: English, Psychology, Environmental Science, and Physical Education.
The addition of coursework creates a natural pathway towards increased resiliency while allowing for a more comprehensive clinical assessment of each individual’s capabilities. Blue Ridge students have the opportunity to earn up to 2 credits during their stay– support for which is provided by their field instructors and therapist. Typically, course content is relevant and easily applicable to students’ daily activities in the program—the wilderness affords a novel and compelling environment for students to observe nature in their Environmental Science coursework, practice mindfulness for Psychology credits, or fulfill Physical Education requirements through hiking and tracking their water intake.
Students and their families will work with their therapist, the Academic Coordinator, and field instructors to determine if pursuing academic credit is right for them while in the program. In some cases, the treatment team assesses that the student may require more attention in other, non-academic areas in order to thrive in the wilderness setting. Should this become the case, the therapist may advise that the student defers the completion of their academic coursework until it becomes more clinically appropriate. Blue Ridge does this to ensure that the mental and physical well-being of each student is prioritized while maintaining clinical momentum. The Blue Ridge treatment team encourages all suitable clients to participate in their hands-on academic curriculum in order to maintain scholastic success as they pursue a comprehensive therapeutic experience in the wilderness.
About Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness (BRTW) founded in 2002 as a licensed wilderness therapy program that offers clinically driven wilderness therapy programs encompassing advanced therapeutic skills, a highly flexible nomadic wilderness therapy model, licensed wilderness therapy assessment and multiple treatment options for struggling teens ages 13-18 as well as young adults ages 18-30 in their Emerald Arrow program. Their individualized approach, family support, and commitment to service translate to an unparalleled experience and better outcomes for adolescents and families.