Facility profile Georgia

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness

Formerly Second Nature Blue Ridge

Open Clayton, Georgia

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness is a wilderness therapy in Clayton, Georgia. It has operated since 2002.

About Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness

It was founded by Dan McDougal co-founded Second Nature Blue Ridge in 2002.source It opened in 2017. It reorganized into Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy Program.source 1, source 2 It was operated by Second Nature Wilderness Family Therapy, LLC.source

Stays lasted 8-10 weeks average, up to 4-5 months.source Adolescent Boys track, boys 14-17.source Adolescent Girls track, girls 14-17.source Footsteps track, co-ed 11-14.source SPARK track, boys 10-15 with neurodevelopmental delays or disorders.source Dan McDougal, Founder, Executive Director (2002-2025, r/troubledteens wiki).source

It joined NATSAP in 2004.source

Survivor testimony

What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.

Reported on survivor forums

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

200220132014202520022025

  1. 2002

    1. Opened

      Opened in Clayton, Georgia

  2. 2013

    1. IncidentJuly 2013

      Lawsuit

      A July 2013 Courthouse News Service article, Kidnapping Isn't Therapy, Dad & Son Say, is listed as related media.

      Lawsuit July 2013

      source

  3. 2014

    1. Incident

      Sexual abuse

      A 2014 Atlantic article quoted by HEAL reported that police were investigating allegations that a counselor at Second Nature Blue Ridge forced a 14-year-old...

      Sexual abuse

      A 2014 Atlantic article quoted by HEAL reported that police were investigating allegations that a counselor at Second Nature Blue Ridge forced a 14-year-old into a sexual encounter; the writer could not find the outcome. (HEAL, staff list for Second Nature Wilderness Program(s) (archived 2022-09-26))

  4. 2025

    1. Essential reportingOctober 10, 2025

      Former Spring Ridge Academy Students Say School Inflicted Abuse, Trauma

      HuffPost: Court records, police reports and former students' accounts of Spring Ridge Academy in Arizona.

      Former Spring Ridge Academy Students Say School Inflicted Abuse, Trauma October 10, 2025

      Former students of Spring Ridge Academy have come forward with allegations of abuse and trauma, including physical restraint, psychological games, and humiliating punishments. The facility's founder, Jeannie Courtney, denies the allegations, but court records and police reports suggest a pattern of mistreatment.

      Read the article

As Second Nature Blue Ridge

2002 to 2016 | Second Nature Uintas & Blue Ridge

Lawsuits

  • John R. v. United Behavioral Health, et al. Ruling issued | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division | 2:18-cv-35-TC-DAO Names this facility

    Outcome: On September 24, 2021 the court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment and denied the plaintiffs' motion, upholding the denial of coverage for all three programs.

    John R. and his son Charles R. sued United Behavioral Health and his employer's health plan under ERISA after the insurer denied coverage for the son's treatment as a teenager from 2014 to 2016. The treatment included about two months at Summit Achievement wilderness program in Maine, about two and a half months at Second Nature Blue Ridge in Georgia, and about a year and a half at In Balance Ranch Academy in Arizona. The insurer denied the Summit and In Balance claims on procedural grounds and the Second Nature claim as not medically necessary. On September 24, 2021 Judge Tena Campbell granted summary judgment to the defendants and affirmed all three denials. The case is about insurance coverage, not abuse at the programs.

Incidents on record

  1. July 2013 Lawsuit

    A July 2013 Courthouse News Service article, Kidnapping Isn't Therapy, Dad & Son Say, is listed as related media.source

  2. 2014 Sexual abuse

    A 2014 Atlantic article quoted by HEAL reported that police were investigating allegations that a counselor at Second Nature Blue Ridge forced a 14-year-old into a sexual encounter; the writer could not find the outcome. (HEAL, staff list for Second Nature Wilderness Program(s) (archived 2022-09-26))

As Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness

from 2016

Incidents on record

  1. Incident

    HEAL categorizes Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness as a Confirmedly Abusive program.source

News coverage

  • HuffPost Oct 10, 2025 Lawsuit

    Former Spring Ridge Academy Students Say School Inflicted Abuse, Trauma

    Essential reporting

    Court records, police reports and former students' accounts of Spring Ridge Academy in Arizona.

    Former students of Spring Ridge Academy have come forward with allegations of abuse and trauma, including physical restraint, psychological games, and humiliating punishments. The facility's founder, Jeannie Courtney, denies the allegations, but court records and police reports suggest a pattern of mistreatment. Many former students have struggled with long-term effects, including addiction and survivor's guilt.

1 article about celebrities and viral stories

Federal funding

Federal money this program received, as government records, congressional reports and news coverage show it.

Paycheck Protection Program loan

  • 2020: Received a Paycheck Protection Program loan of $350,000 to $1 million, approved April 13, 2020, reporting 85 jobs. source

Incidents on record

  1. Abuse

    Survivors report punishments including forced sleeping under the staff tarp wrapped in a second tarp, isolation until a bow-drill ember is made, and being watched in the bathroom.source

  2. Abuse

    Survivors report residents often get frostbite and receive inadequate medical care, plus severe medical neglect in serious illnesses.source

  3. Injury

    Survivors report a teen dislocated both knees on a water run and did not receive medical attention for several weeks.source

  4. Injury

    Survivors report staff left a girl unattended with a knife during a meal and she stabbed herself.source

Videos

Wilderness Therapy: Brat Camp (2015-04-01) Watch on YouTube
Second Nature "Brat Camp" Wilderness Therapy (2018-08-07) Watch on YouTube
1 of 2

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

Licensing and inspections

Program
OTP001021
License category
Outdoor Child Caring Program
Licensed address
236 FILE STREET CLAYTON GA 30525

4 inspection reports on file. Search all Georgia reports

Every report, by date: 7 findings in 2 reports
  1. Sep 17, 2026 Re-Licensure - CLOSED
    1 finding

    • Deficiency cited, severity A, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation that the disaster preparedness plan included plans for pandemics. Findings include: A review on September 17, 2026, at approximately 4:25 p.m. of the program's P&P 10-1, “Emergency Plans” policy dated January 1, 2017, revealed there was no documentation in the plan to address pandemics. During an onsite exit conference with Staff B and Staff C on September 17, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Staff B and Staff C acknowledged the findings.

  2. Sep 24, 2025 Re-Licensure - CLOSED
    6 findings

    • Deficiency cited, severity B, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation of the person's suitability of working with the types of children served by the camp in three of five records reviewed. Findings include: A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m. of Staff C's personnel record revealed three reference letters; however, only two reference letters attested to Staff C’s suitability of working with the types of children served by the camp. Staff C was hired on 05/13/2025. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 10:47 a.m. of Staff D's personnel record revealed three reference letters; however, only one reference letter attested to Staff D’s suitability of working with the types of children served by the camp. Staff D was hired on 07/17/2025. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 11:35 a.m. of Staff F's personnel record revealed three reference letters; however, only one reference letter attested to Staff F’s suitability of working with the types of children served by the camp. Staff F was hired on 03/25/2025. During an exit conference with Staff A on September 24, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Staff A acknowledged the findings. This rule was previously cited on September 19, 2023.

    • Deficiency cited, severity D, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation that all child care staff received training by certified staff in water safety and lifesaving techniques in four of five records reviewed. Findings include: A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 10:40 a.m. of Staff C's personnel record revealed no documentation of training in water safety and lifesaving techniques. Staff C was hired on A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 10:55 a.m. of Staff D's personnel record revealed no documentation of training in water safety and lifesaving techniques. Staff D was hired on A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 11:20 a.m. of Staff E's personnel record revealed no documentation of training in water safety and lifesaving techniques. Staff E was hired on A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 11:50 a.m. of Staff F's personnel record revealed no documentation of training in water safety or lifesaving techniques. Staff F was hired on During an exit conference with Staff A on September 24, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Staff A acknowledged the findings.

    • Deficiency cited, severity D, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation that campers had a dental examination by a licensed dentist within six months prior to admission in three of three records reviewed. Findings include: A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m. of Camper #1's record revealed a dental examination completed on 08/08/2024. No other documentation of a dental examination was located in the file. Camper #1 was admitted to the program approximately three months ago. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 1:55 p.m. of Camper #2's record revealed on documentation of a dental examination. Camper #2 was admitted to the program approximately three months ago. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m. of Camper #3's record revealed no documentation of a dental examination. Camper #3 was admitted to the program approximately two months ago. During an exit conference with Staff A on September 24, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Staff A acknowledged the findings.

    • Deficiency cited, severity A, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation that the name of the prescribing physician and date of prescription was included on the Medication Administrative Record in two of three records reviewed. Findings include: A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 1:20 p.m. of Camper #1's record revealed the name of the prescribing physician and date of prescription was not included on the medication administrative record. Camper #1 was admitted to the program approximately three months ago. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m. of Camper #2's record revealed the name of the prescribing physician and date of prescription was not included on the medication administrative record. Camper #2 was admitted to the program approximately three months ago. During an exit conference with Staff A on 09/24/2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Staff A acknowledged the findings.

    • Deficiency cited, severity D, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation that persons administering medication received appropriate training from a licensed/certified health professional in one of five records reviewed. Findings include: A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 11:50 a.m. of Staff F's record revealed no documentation of medication administering training. Staff F was hired on 03/25/2025. During an exit conference with Staff A on 09/24/2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Staff A acknowledged the finding.

    • Deficiency cited, severity A, re-licensure survey

      Based on record review and staff interview, the program failed to provide documentation that the Individual Education Plan was developed by the Camp staff, Camper, parent or Placement Agency and a certified teacher in three of three records reviewed. Findings include: A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 12:55 p.m. of Camper #1's record revealed an Individual Education Plan completed on 07/08/2025. However, the IEP was not signed by a certified teacher. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 1:50 p.m. of Camper #2's record revealed an Individual Education Plan completed on 08/28/2025. However, the IEP was not signed by a certified teacher. A review on 09/17/2025, at approximately 2:55 p.m. of Camper #3's record revealed an Individual Education Plan completed on 08/28/2025. However, the IEP was not signed by a certified teacher. During an exit conference with Staff A on 09/24/2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Staff A acknowledged the findings.

  3. Sep 5, 2025 Incident - CLOSED
  4. Sep 17, 2024 Re-Licensure - CLOSED

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Ownership

  • Second Nature Uintas & Blue Ridge

Documents

Documents on file (7)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (2)

From the Unsilenced archive

53 documents about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their folders: BLUE RIDGE THERAPEUTIC WILDERNESS [OTP001021], Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness - Second Nature Wilderness, Second Nature Blue Ridge.

Documents (53)

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.

Other documentation

  • NATSAP profile

External links

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Survivor posts and discussion

Staff listing or directory

Advertising and marketing listings

Reference and research

From SCIAD NET.

Archived pages

From SCIAD NET.

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction