Who We Are:
Dan Shorb: (Field Director)
Dan attended Western Washington University achieving his Bachelors degree in Outdoor Recreation Administration. He has many years of experience working in the wilderness, mountaineering, and teaching technical skills of outdoor pursuits. His joy for the outdoors has taken him to many of the Pacific Northwest's premiere mountains, including Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Glacier Peak, Mt. Shuksan, Mt. McKinley in Alaska, and Bolivia's Apolobamba. He also has many years of experience within the wilderness administrative sector as the Assistant Director of the Teen Adventure program for the YMCA, Director of the Associated Students' Outdoor Center, and Associate Field Director at another wilderness therapy company.
Since 1996, Dan has worked as a staff trainer, Senior Field Instructor, and Associate Field Director at two other wilderness therapy programs. With over two thousand nights in the field, and ten years of training field staff on safety, therapeutic techniques, and mentoring teens toward adulthood, one can be rest assured Elements' Field Mentors are caring and empathetic to the boundaries they hold in the field. Dan is amazed and encouraged by the hundreds of teens with whom he has spent numerous weeks in the field. He believes the wilderness experience is not a sour pill we swallow so much as a meal we digest.
Dan was raised in southern California and is the middle of three boys.
Nate Stireman: (Shift Lead)
Nate is originally from Bountiful, Utah. He grew up exploring the great mountains and beautiful desert there, and he continues to stay busy doing so. He began working in this field for over six years at another wilderness therapy program where he gained an exceptional therapeutic “toolbox” working side by side with very talented and experienced people and learning how to make full use of the wilderness as a therapeutic intervention. Nate loves being out of doors experiencing nature at it’s finest. He also loves teaching others how to take advantage of the benefits the wilderness has to offer, as well as teaching about the local environment. Nate has seen many adolescents come through wilderness and learn valuable life skills such as, communication, relationships, emotional management, and in general, a healthier life-style. He loves being a part of that change that occurs. In the summer you will usually find Nate high up on a cliff face climbing, but he also enjoys mountain biking, rafting, disc-golf, gardening, eating fresh food, and going to outdoor festivals. In the winter, you will probably find him far out in the back-country on a mountain with a snowboard or skis, and a big smile. He is a sucker for good powder. Nate has a lot of family in Salt Lake that also enjoys outdoor sports which he then gets to spend with them. Nate is also enthusiastic about experiencing different parts of the world. He has traveled extensively to Europe, India, South America, Central America, and a large amount of North America including Alaska. He hopes to do more exploring. He really hopes and wishes everyone can have the opportunity to experience and see nature in as great a way as he does.
Josh Chrisman: (Group Lead)
Josh is originally from Sequim, Washington. He grew up on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State exploring and backpacking in the wilderness of Olympic National Park. After graduating from Sequim High School, Josh joined the Army and spent six years serving in the Reserves while attending school at Western Washington University. He earned his bachelors degree in Outdoor Recreation at WWU. Josh has been working with youth in some capacity for the last 8 years, mostly volunteering with junior high and high school aged kids. In 2007, he was introduced to wilderness therapy where he worked for another program in Utah. He joined Elements in May 2008. Josh loves wilderness therapy as it provides support to young people through the turbulent and emotionally challenging years of adolescence. He enjoys being part of the challenge that wilderness provides as well as teaching new tools and skills which students can use to build healthier relationships and lead more productive and fulfilling lives. In his spare time Josh is an avid climber and also enjoys traveling, hiking, snowboarding, and martial arts.
Sonya Sutherland: (Group Lead)
Sonya is originally from Michigan and now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Screen Arts and Cultural Studies. While in Michigan, Sonya spent time working with The Detroit Project teaching fourth grade science as well as mentoring at-risk youth. She also worked for a number of years at the Institute for Social Research doing research for a variety of clients, including the United States Air Force. Sonya, feeling the need to do therapy in the great outdoors and desiring to escape cold Michigan winters, then moved to sunny Southern Utah. There she worked as a wilderness therapy guide for over two years. She has since returned in from the wilds to continue her education and become a Social Worker. She worked at a residential treatment center for girls and enjoyed the opportunity to help the young women help themselves and invest in their own future. Sonya returned to the wilderness and joined Elements in July 2008. In her off time she enjoys bike riding, cooking, gardening, kung fu, and sewing.