Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness program is an outdoor therapeutic treatment program providing holistic, individualized treatment for adolescents, young adults, and their families. 

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness has a deeply rooted history of creating intentional programming tailored for early adolescents. Recognizing the call for younger teens to participate in unique programming that meets their developmental needs, Blue Ridge was one of the first wilderness programs to launch a pre-teens program which ran from 2006-2018. Evolving with the growing needs of today’s families, this updated programming for the emerging adolescent population combines the healing setting of nature with the opportunity for experiential activities and learning and practicing skills with the comforts of community and home.

While located in the same course area, programming for early adolescents ages 12-14 is distinct from Blue Ridge’s older adolescent groups. The intentional, hybrid model is designed to help younger teens of all genders learn how to make thoughtful decisions, explore their skills and passions, and gain confidence and motivation through novel and educational experiences. 

Each week, the emerging adolescent group embarks on an adventure itinerary, where they explore the outdoors and camp communally. When they are not in the field, they spend time at their cabin in the mountains of Northeast Georgia, where they shower, change into cozy clothes, recharge, and begin to integrate all they learned while in the field. At the cabin, students participate in expressive arts and creative intensives, life skills, and social skills, academics, and equine-assisted therapy.

With Regan Adair, LMSW, and Liz Lucarelli, LCMHC at the helm as the integrated clinical treatment team, Emerging Adolescent programming at Blue Ridge provides a dynamic experiential opportunity specifically created for a younger age group providing creative exploration, social skills, fun, routine, and structure in a safe and engaging setting. 

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness program is a licensed and accredited outdoor child-caring program that provides mental health treatment from licensed therapists and skilled outdoors professionals. Removed from the distractions of daily home life, students (ages 12-18, and 18-29 in the Emerald Arrow young adult program) engage in early clinical assessment and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to learn communication skills, emotional regulation, healthy habits, and other skills needed to be aware of and act on their values. To learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness, visit blueridgewilderness.com or speak with an admissions counselor by calling (888) 914-1050.