Admissions Process
What to Expect
Our goal is for you to feel comfortable asking every conceivable question about how our program might be of service to you family and your child. Because our admissions team maintains a regular presence on site and in the field, we are prepared with first-hand accounts of current group dynamics and experiences to share as families consider wilderness therapy and our program.
Our team will answer any questions you may have, and carefully consider your application, history, and input from at-home professionals to pair your child with the appropriate group and therapist.
First steps
Call us anytime, or fill out an inquiry form! Getting to know you and your child is of the utmost importance to us and to the admissions process. Please speak with one of our admissions professionals so that we may learn more about your child and his or her specific needs.
After speaking with an admissions professional, please complete the application for admission
Once your application is received, our admissions team will conduct a comprehensive application review. Each applicant is thoroughly evaluated by our team to determine appropriateness for the program. Acceptance is communicated to prospective families within 24 hours or less of a completed admissions review.
Upon submission of your child’s application and program acceptance, you will be prompted to download the Participation Release Packet for Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness. Upon completion, please scan, email, or electronically sign all release forms and additional required documents (the list of additional documents is provided in the release packet) to our admissions team.
Once admissions acceptance has been confirmed, we will discuss travel arrangements with you. The Atlanta Airport (ATL) is approximately 2 hours south of our base in Clayton, GA.
Note: Please discuss travel plans with your admissions representative prior to purchasing airline tickets. We can arrange our transport team to meet your child at ATL airport, free of charge.ur transport team can arrange to pick up students who have arrived at ATL with parents or a transport service.
Prepare
Blue Ridge provides all necessary gear, clothing, personal items and equipment for your child’s participation. This ensures that your child has everything he or she needs to participate in the program – except for eyeglasses (no contacts), prescription medication, and dental retainers (as applicable.)
Upon arrival, your child will receive a physical exam. Blue Ridge will then outfit your child from head to toe with gear, personal items, clothing, footwear and equipment to begin the program and join his or her respective group.
Blue Ridge admits students Monday through Friday, year-round. Emergency, weekend or after-hours admits are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Financial Information
Upon program completion, Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness will provide you with the necessary documentation required by your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement.
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness provides short-term, intermediate treatment and as such, some mental health parity rules may allow for more coverage of alternative mental health treatment such as Outdoor Behavioral Health Programs.
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness is out-of-network and therefore, unable to guarantee coverage or accept insurance payments directly. However, we will do our very best to assist you in seeking the maximum reimbursement (for which you may be eligible) from your insurance company. In some cases, we may be unable to assist due to the complexity of your particular insurance or circumstance. In these instances, we are happy to refer you to a health care advocate company which specializes in complex cases.
Additionally, some of the services provided at Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness may qualify under a medical tax deduction. While Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness will not provide tax advice, we can provide you with documentation (upon request) for your accounting needs. Please contact your Admissions Counselor for more information or visit our Financial & Insurance FAQ page➔