Loren has extensive experience in wilderness therapy starting with his education, having received his bachelor’s degree in outdoor education, including course work in wilderness therapy. In his time at the University of New Hampshire, Loren assisted with Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) accreditation reviews. He has worked as a guide in another wilderness therapy program with over 400 days in the field. Loren was a wilderness EMT for eight years, working on search and rescue teams in both Maine and Utah. 

Loren was drawn to wilderness therapy after seeing his best friend have a life-changing experience in a wilderness therapy program as a teenager. He and his friend went on to work at a wilderness therapy program together. Loren became interested in working for Open Sky after listening to the program’s SKYlights podcast and being impressed with what he heard. He also appreciates Open Sky’s focus on yoga and meditation and loves Southwestern Colorado. 

Loren values the parallel process that occurs as students, families, and staff work together in the program. Loren shares that he began working in wilderness therapy to heal himself and continues in this field for the healing that he helps bring others. 

When not at work, Loren enjoys rock climbing, baking sourdough bread, and knitting hats.