Blackwater Outdoor Experiences: New Paths for Adolescents and Their Families

Dear Parent:

We at the Adolescent Health Center and Blackwater Outdoor Experiences appreciate your trust in taking appropriate measures to help your child with the continued growth of his/her self-concept. We are committed to helping children, adolescents, young adults and their families whose difficulties have interfered with relationships in the home, school and community, and who can, indeed, be termed "at risk".

Most of our young people are experiencing one or more of the following:

    • Low self-esteem
    • ADHD/ADD
    • Strong desire to live outside family and family values
    • Rebellion against parent or school authority
    • Manipulative behavior
    • Lack of motivation
    • Feelings of rejection following parent divorce
    • Experimentation with drugs and alcohol
    • Anger due to adoption


Since 1980, we have incorporated an experiential therapeutic outdoor program with the services offered through our practice of adolescent medicine.

We have demonstrated, as have others with clinical research, the effectiveness of this approach to improve self-esteem and behavior. Our staff of clinical social workers, psychologist, physician, vocational counselor and special education/outdoor specialist provides comprehensive services for those young people who need this type of alternative treatment protocol. We are able to facilitate long-term success when parents of participants involve themselves in careful aftercare planning by joining us at the end of each trip.

The Application for programs requires a physical examination, completion of information sheets, medical history and waiver forms. A list of needed gear is provided.

There is limited financial assistance available through Wilderness Alternatives Inc., a 501 (c)(3) a scholarship fund that is set aside for just such a need. If you are interested in this kind of assistance, there is a brief scholarship application available in our office or it can be sent to you directly.

If there are any questions, please call, fax, write or email George M. Bright, M.D. or Poppy Goforth, BOE Program Director at:

Blackwater Outdoor Experiences
13821 Village Mill Drive
Midlothian, VA 23113
Tel: (804) 794-8900
Fax: (804) 378-2010
E-mail: blackwater@blackwateroutdoor-ahc.com
We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
George M. Bright, M.D.
Medical Director
Eloise J. Cobb, Ph.D.
Clinical Director
Poppy Goforth, B.A.
BOE Program Director
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Email: Blackwater@Blackwateroutdoor-ahc.com
Voice: (804) 794-8900 FAX: (804) 378-2021
13821 Village Mill Drive
Midlothian, Virginia 23113

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