Brenda Hammerstrom
Senior Field Guide
Joined Open Sky: January 2009
In Wilderness Therapy since: 2009
Interview with Brenda
October 2009
Q. If you were able to meet anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?
I would want to meet my grandmother. I heard that I am a lot like her. I would love to meet her to hear stories about where she traveled and stories about where my ancestors came from. I would also love to meet her because I know that she was such a strong-willed women; a true inspiration from what I have heard from my mother.
Q. What are a few of the defining moments in your life and why?
One of my first defining moments is going on my first NOLS course when I was 18 years old. That was when I was introduced to the healing effects of nature. I felt comfortable in my own skin for the first time. Other defining moments are when I studied with a Yaqui medicine man. He really showed me how to incorporate meaningful ceremony into my life. Living at Shoshoni Ashram showed me how to quiet my mind through meditation and be present in my body through yoga.
Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
Both of my parents have been huge inspirations in my life. They have supported me every step of the way, through sickness, transferring colleges, constantly being outside, and spiritual endeavors. No matter what, they have let me make my own decisions and be my own person. It has been an amazing gift for me to know that they will always be my biggest fans.
Q. What are your unique gifts and/or experiences that help our students?
I bring a love of meditation to my work. I also do some energy work that is known as Balancing the Energetic Body, which incorporates muscle testing and visual meditation. I like to bring a lot of games and group initiatives into my work. I am huge into believing that sometimes laughter is the best medicine.
Q. Why do you work in wilderness therapy?
I work in wilderness therapy because I truly see the wilderness as being one of the greatest healing tools and it is right at our fingertips. I do this work because I see the effects it has on the students, which is a major transformation from when they arrived to when they leave. It is so meaningful to me to know that I had a part in the transformation. I also know that wilderness therapy helps me go deeper into myself in such an important way.
Q. Why do you think wilderness therapy works?
I think that wilderness therapy works because the students are taken out of their "ordinary" situations and brought back to simplicity. It gets them grounded back into their bodies and focuses their attention back on themselves and what they are feeling. By the students being in nature, it gives them a beautiful glow of self confidence that I have only seen brought about by being in the wilderness.
Q. What do you think Open Sky students need?
A strong holistic practice is essential. It is what sets Open Sky apart from the rest of the industry. Doing yoga and meditation each morning sets the pace for the rest of the day. The diet also sets Open Sky apart with whole grains, low sugar, and all organic foods. It is all about simplicity and being fully in and with our bodies.
Q. What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t working in the field?
I enjoy skiing, traveling,rock climbing, trail running, scrabble, hiking, and potlucks with my friends.
Q. Anything else you want to tell us about yourself?
I love being outside!
Professional Experience
Wind River Elementary School
Tutor
National Outdoor Leadership School
Rations Assistant
Snow Mountain Ranch
Outdoor/Adventure Educator
YMCA Camp Sky Y
Counselor
Shoshoni Ashram
Volunteer
Education
BA, Adventure Education
Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona
Semester Course, Instructors Course
National Outdoor Leadership School
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Leave No Trace Master Instructor
