Director of Admissions
Tere Snodgrass, Shahara Davis, Susanna Shakespeare
Admissions Email
Admissions Phone
Physical Address
Open Sky Wilderness
Durango,
CO

Open Sky Wilderness Therapy is a powerful and life-changing outdoor behavioral healthcare intervention for students and their families. We provide comprehensive treatment through integration of the latest in evidence-based clinical modalities, healthy living, and innovative, research-driven mindfulness practices. Our clinical team is comprised of highly skilled, trained, and experienced professionals, who offer keen insight to underlying issues and effective guidance customized to each person's individual needs.
At Open Sky, we believe that the family system is a key component to the success of our students. Our therapists assist families in growing and learning alongside their child. Research has proven repeatedly that a student's success is proportional to the involvement and growth of the student's family. Open Sky's family therapists and wellness team, in conjunction with the student’s primary therapist, are invested in providing the most comprehensive family experience available in wilderness therapy.
Open Sky is the first wilderness therapy program to earn the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare accreditation from the Association of Experiential Education and is licensed in the states of Colorado and Utah.

General Information
Private Company - Owners On-Site
Privately Owned
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
Public Land
Bureau of Land Management
National Forest Service
Wilderness Therapy Model
Base Camp | Backpacking
4
Call for more information
< 50%
10 Weeks
Group
14 - 30
No
Co-ed Group(s)
Single Gender Group(s)
Family Participation
Recommended by Program
-
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Family Quest upon recommendation by Primary Therapist
Family Workshop / Visits
Recommended by Program
-
-
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Staff Information
Yes
1:3
14 Hours
< 10
< 10
Yes
Clinician Information
> 8
All therapists are licensed by the state of operation
2 Days
Call for more information
Art
Breathing Techniques / Breath Work
Meditation
Yoga
Medical / Wellness
Contracted psychiatrist as needed
> 50%
Nurse
EMT
Physician / MD
Psychiatrist / MD
Call For more information
Psychological Evaluations
> 50%
Academic Offering
Yes
Yes
Cognia (formerly AdvancEd)
https://www.cognia.org/
Program Licensing and/or Accreditation
Contact Open Sky to learn about various studies
Yes
Nuts & Bolts
Yes
Call for more information
Call for more information
No
No
No
Yes
< 50%
Durango-La Plata County [DRO]
0.25 Hours
General Information
Private Company - Owners On-Site
Privately Owned
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
Public Land
Bureau of Land Management
National Forest Service
Wilderness Therapy Model
Base Camp | Backpacking
4
No
< 50%
10 Weeks
No
Group
Can be 17 to Enroll
Call for more information
Co-ed Group(s)
Family Participation
Recommended by Program
-
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Family Workshop / Visits
Recommended by Program
Recommended by Program
Staff Information
Yes
1:3
1:3
14 Hours
< 10
< 10
Clinician Information
> 8
> 50%
2 Days
1
Breathing Techniques / Breath Work
Meditation
Yoga
Medical / Wellness
Contracted psychiatrist as needed
< 50%
Physician / MD
Psychiatrist / MD
Call For more information
Psychological Evaluations
> 50%
Academic Options
Nuts & Bolts
Yes
Call for more information
Call for more information
No
No
Private / Self Pay
< 50%
Durango-La Plata County [DRO]
0.25 Hours
Mission Statement
Open Sky’s holistic wilderness program engages the transformational power of nature to strengthen relationships, foster growth, and develop overall health and wellness.
Open Sky supports adolescents, young adults, and families in activating their inherent capacity to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We are committed to conscious and sustainable practices.
Our mission is to inspire people to learn and live in a way that honors values and strengthens relationships. To fulfill this mission, we:
- provide clinical treatment for the whole person: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual;
- observe the highest risk management standards;
- support the passion, growth and development of our employees;
- build synergistic relationships with involved professionals;
- offer a menu of the highest quality organic and whole foods;
- provide educational opportunities for students, families and professionals; and
- act in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
At Open Sky, we activate the potential of the human spirit and believe all people have the capacity to thrive.