Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The Foundation of Field Guiding
If our students acquire the tools necessary to meet their needs for physical safety, emotional safety, love and belonging, and self-esteem, then the realization of their full potential is within reach.
Managing Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown began in the United States last March, our “normal” routines of daily life were interrupted in countless ways. The home transformed into the office, the classroom, the gym, the church. Businesses closed or greatly altered their operations. Layoffs were abundant; gatherings and events were nearly nonexistent. Social distancing and wearing face masks became familiar ways of life. And […]
Purposefully Present (Pt. 3): Building a Meditation Practice
This is the third installment of our Purposefully Present blog series! In this article, Transition Mentor Grant Helmus gives an introduction to the basics of meditation, the ways it is applied at Open Sky, and tips for starting your own meditation practice. At the end of the article, you’ll also find a helpful list of […]
Purposefully Present (Pt. 2): Three Resources for Becoming Centered
Welcome to the second installment of Open Sky’s “Purposefully Present” blog series! Clinical therapist Nick Lenderking-Brill (adolescent boys) walks us through three useful skills and resources to mindfully center yourself. Being purposefully present with these practices can have a huge impact on personal wellness and relational health. (Click here to access part 1 of this […]
Purposefully Present (Pt. 1): Understanding Mindfulness & Interoception
Welcome to Open Sky’s “Purposefully Present” blog series! By sharing the basics of mindfulness practice, we hope to empower you to regulate your nervous system, center yourself, and be in the present moment. To kick off the series, clinical therapist Brian Leidal (adolescent boys and young adults) gives us an introduction to mindfulness and interoception. […]
Virtual Wellness Weekend: An Opportunity for Personal Growth and Connection
Wellness Weekend has been a foundational component of family programming at Open Sky since our inception in 2006. It is one of the hallmarks of Open Sky’s family-centered approach. Guided by a team of Open Sky professionals, families participate in rejuvenating and healing activities that our students participate in each day, including yoga, meditation, and […]
“Osprey Stories” Features Open Sky Article on Mental Health
Open Sky is proud to outfit students with the highest quality gear, including Osprey backpacks. The Osprey company was founded more than 25 years ago and is headquartered in Cortez, Colorado—neighbors to Open Sky’s home base in Durango. We are grateful to be featured in the “Osprey Stories” on their website, which shares inspiration, stories, […]
An Outdoor, Indoor, and Online Guide to Experiencing Nature During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This article about getting outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic was written with consideration of state and federal “stay at home” or “shelter in place” mandates and social distancing requirements. Be sure to consult your respective local and state government policies as well as official public health organizations (such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) […]
Parent Support Throughout (and Beyond!) Wilderness Therapy
Now more than ever, we are in need of ways to center ourselves, share with others, and be part of a community. The Monday Night Parent Support Call provides a structured space for parents to attend to these needs and cultivate personal wellness. As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Open Sky Team […]
How to Take Care of Yourself in the Midst of a Pandemic
In an effort to “flatten the curve” and halt the spread of COVID-19, public health officials are asking people to shelter at home, drastically alter their daily lives, decrease physical interaction, and engage in rigorous hygiene practices. A few weeks ago, the term “social distancing” wasn’t even on our collective radar. Today, schools, businesses, and […]
Guided Meditation Series with Family Wellness Counselor Norman Elizondo
Amidst the stress the world is experiencing in the face of COVID-19, we encourage you to pause…breathe, and come into the present moment. Click on the links below to access episodes from Norman Elizondo’s four-part meditation and mindfulness series on the SKYlights Podcast. Or, CLICK HERE to access the entire series. By tuning in, you’ll […]
Meeting the Needs of Families in Crisis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As an organization committed to health and healing, Open Sky would like to take a moment to share the heightened preventative measures we have taken to continue serving adolescents, young adults, and families in crisis, while concurrently responding to COVID-19 concerns. We are committed to supporting public health officials in containing this pandemic while continuing […]
How Does Open Sky’s Medical Team Support Student Wellness and Growth?
At Open Sky, our belief is that when students’ physical needs are met, they are able to better focus on the deep therapeutic work that brought them to our program. As they are the first responders to any medical and wellness need in the field, every Field Guide is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Beyond […]
10 Tips for Strengthening Family Relationships
Are you ready to strengthen family relationships in 2020? At Open Sky, we inspire people to learn and live in a way that honors values and strengthens relationships. This is a key component of our mission. Below, members of our Family Services, Clinical, and Alumni Relations teams share tangible tips to enhance, enrich, and strengthen […]
“Stories From the Field” Podcast Features Norman Elizondo, Open Sky Family Wellness Counselor
Open Sky Family Wellness Counselor Norman Elizondo was recently featured on the podcast, “Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy”. In this podcast episode, listeners get a glimpse into Norman’s past and how he found his way to a career in wilderness therapy. Norman immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines when he was six years old. A “city […]
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy Launches SKYlights Podcast
Open Sky, a wilderness therapy program nestled in the mountains of Colorado and the canyonlands of Utah, is excited to announce the launch of its podcast.
Where Are They Now: A Young Adult Reflects on his Wilderness Therapy Experience
Julian was a student at Open Sky from December 2017 through March of 2018. After graduating Open Sky, Julian attended an aftercare program and is now in the midst of pursuing a social work degree at Temple University! Learn more about his journey in the interview below. Q: What were some of the challenges that […]
Open Sky Launches Alumni reConnect Call!
Open Sky is pleased to launch the Alumni reConnect Call! Open Sky’s mission of “inspiring people to learn and live in a way that honors values and strengthens relationships” applies not only to current students, but to alumni students as well. The Alumni reConnect Call will be held on the third Thursday of each month and […]
Mindfulness and the Adolescent Boy
Research shows that the average person has more than 50,000-70,000 thoughts a day (Davis). That’s about 35-48 thoughts per minute! Imagine if we fixated, focused, or acted on each thought we had, not only would we be overwhelmed, but everyday tasks would become more difficult and almost impossible. Interestingly, “nearly 50% of our awake life […]
The Transformational Practice of Meditation: a Q&A with Family Wellness Counselor, Norman Elizondo
Mindfulness is a key component to a student or family member’s journey of overall healing. In 2006, Norman Elizondo helped found Open Sky with an emphasis on mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, and other tools. Norman created the original programming for Wellness Weekends and served as Open Sky’s first field guide, a senior field instructor, […]
Renewal of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Accreditation
We are proud to announce that the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) has renewed Open Sky’s Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Accreditation. This accreditation is a symbol of our unending commitment to providing our students, families, and team members with the highest quality practices in the industry. AEE has a long-standing reputation for accreditation of experiential and […]
Open Sky announces dates and locations for Alumni Parent Wellness Retreats
Connect, Recharge, and Thrive with Open Sky! Open Sky is pleased to announce dates and locations for our Alumni Parent Wellness Retreats! These inspiring two-day wellness retreats will be facilitated by Family Therapist, Kendall Smith, MA, LPC, NCC and Wellness Counselor, Norman Elizondo. Open Sky Alumni Parent Wellness Retreats are designed to further personal […]
A Nourishing Rain: Reflections from Parents and Staff on Open Sky’s Inaugural Parent Wellness Retreat
It has been a few weeks since we gathered with alumni parents at the EarthRise IONS Center in Petaluma, CA. Our inaugural Open Sky Alumni Parent Wellness Retreat was a full, wet, and beautiful weekend. The part that stands out to me today, as I look at the snowy, winter landscape in Durango is the […]
Winter Meditation Intensive
Friends of Open Sky: As we have had the great pleasure of working together in the past, through Open Sky’s Wellness Weekends, graduations and/or the Family Quest experience, I wanted to reach out and invite you to a special meditation winter retreat experience in Crestone, Colorado. As many of you know, the practice of meditation […]
Introducing Open Sky Wellness Retreats; Learn More and Register
Background and Overview For more than a year, we have contacted alumni parents at the six-month anniversary of their child’s graduation. The purpose of this being twofold: to find out how parents and their child are doing, and to understand how Open Sky might better serve graduate families moving forward. From these calls, one thing is […]
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy Celebrates 10 Years of Helping People Thrive
This year Open Sky Wilderness Therapy celebrates its tenth anniversary. The Durango, CO based organization assists teens and young adults struggling with difficult challenges and unmanageable dynamics by providing life-changing experiences and long-term skills enabling them to thrive. Through its success, Open Sky has grown to employ over 150 staff, making it one of the […]