Welcome to the Open Sky Webinar

The webinar begins at 6pm—see you soon!

Norman ElizondoNorman Elizondo

Family Wellness Family Wellness CounselorCounselor

Martha GilbertMartha Gilbert

Community Manager, Community Manager, Training Coordinator & Training Coordinator & Family Services Counselor Family Services Counselor

Average age of 30 yearsGreater than a 4:1 ratio of applicants to new hiresMore than 50% of our guides have worked in

another wilderness programMore than 90% have worked with adolescents or

young adults prior to joining Open SkyMore than 95% of our guides have college degreesThe average Open Sky senior field guide has worked

more than 200 field days in wilderness therapyAll field guides are either EMT or WFR (Wilderness

First Responder) certified

Open Sky’s primary mission is to maintain each student’s safety at all times.

Field guides are selected and trained with this as the highest consideration.

We seek professionals who have significant experience working with youth and/or people who have significant experience working in wilderness. 

A mixture of these is best.People who are coachable, transparent, can follow

structure and also have a mind for innovation. Emotional awareness and empathy are also key.

Wilderness safetyRun-away preventionSelf-harm preventionDe-escalationEmotional safetyMedication administrationWeather-related challengesCommunication systemsMedical emergencyDay to Day of Field Guiding

ProfessionalismResilienceConfidenceCoach abilityCharacterInteresting personalitySelf awarenessInsightfulAbility to make meaning of situations

Staff PathwayDifferent goals and skills to move through

progressionsWeekly ongoing Training:

Clinical: therapeutic skills, psychological teachings and treatment

Medical: seasonal issues and first aidField: risk management and emergency response

 Ongoing FeedbackTwice a week with the entire guide team for

constructive and positive feedbackEnd of week check ins w/Field Director

Our guides love to teach, explore the wilderness with teens and young adults, and are patient and willing to work hard and to grow

Keep students safePhysically and Emotionally

Facilitate Therapeutic Interventions as part of the Treatment Team under supervision/guidance of our therapists

Role Model healthy relationships, communications and family systems

Assertive communication:  Parent PathwayI feel statementsReflective listeningValidation

 Motivational InterviewingAsking opened ended questions – how was your

day Mindfulness Practices: 

Yoga/Meditation Personal Awareness & Growth Holding Boundaries

Norman ElizondoNorman ElizondoFamily Wellness CounselorFamily Wellness Counselor

norman@openskywilderness.comnorman@openskywilderness.com

Martha GilbertCommunity Manager, Training Coordinator

& Family Services Counselormartha@openskywilderness.com

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