Beginning in July, Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness (BRTW) will reopen its Transition Program for adolescent students and their families. Blue Ridge is a nomadic wilderness therapy program nestled in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina. With an integrated approach, Blue Ridge students receive assessment and wilderness-based therapeutic interventions to learn the skills necessary to understand themselves, their families, and how to connect in meaningful ways. As each student’s stay draws to a close, the Transition Program provides the time and space for these adolescents to reunite with their family in the container of wilderness therapy before they complete their wilderness journey through a symbolic right-of-passage.
Transition offers families a rare opportunity that is central to BRTW’s whole family therapeutic approach. Parents are invited to visit and stay overnight in the woods, witness their child’s emotional and physical skills, and enjoy the simplicity of wilderness living under the guidance of experienced field staff. Meanwhile, each student is provided space to reflect upon their stay in the wilderness and explore their hopes and goals for the future. Families revere this time as a moment to reconnect mindfully and intentionally before they exit Blue Ridge and begin the rest of their journey.
In March, Blue Ridge’s Transition Program underwent a hiatus as Covid-19 became an increasing health concern. After thorough assessment and preparation, Transition Camp will be ready to resume beginning in July, while respecting Covid-19 precautions. At Transition Camp, students reunite with their families at a campsite separate from their previous groups. This unique characteristic of the program, in conjunction with other social distancing precautions, has led Blue Ridge to determine that the program is prepared to once again safely welcome adolescent students and their families.
If you would like to learn more about Blue Ridge’s Transition Program for adolescents and their families, please contact BRTW’s Admissions Department at 888-914-1050 or admissions@blueridgewilderness.com.
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.