Outdoor Programs for Women

All across North America (and sometimes in New Zealand) women attend workshops, classes and weekend camps that teach them new outdoors skills, methods of conservation, how to hunt and more in an atmosphere where there is no pressure on the women. The programs designed by state and private organizations are intended to encourage women to be more active in the outdoors.

Since the 1990s two separate prominent women’s outdoor programs have existed. One is an outreach program of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). It is called “Women in the Outdoors”, and is one of three outreach programs by the NWTF that include youth and the disabled. The other is “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” or BOW that is usually sponsored by an individual state’s Department of Natural Resources.

Differences between the programs:

Becoming and Outdoors Woman | NWTF Women in the Outdoors

• Since 1991 | Since 1998
• Must be at least 18 years old | Must be at least 14 years old
• Happens in over 40 states | Happens in all 50 states
• Organizes international trips (Bahamas, Mexico, New Zealand) | Active in Canada as well
• Fee per event | Participants pay once for a one- year NWTF membership to attend all events
• The number of events are determined by individual state’s natural resources divisions | Currently host about 4,000 events annually

Both programs are designed to put women in a comfortable learning environment with other women. Hence, many times men are not encouraged to come, although both organizations make exceptions at certain events and also sometimes host couples’ events.

The workshops and events are designed to teach archery, shooting, hunting, kayaking, canoeing, outdoor survival, plant/vegetation identification, horseback riding, photograph and a huge number of other classes.

The youngest possible participant age varies between programs, but the age ranges of women that show up to events are vast. Many 30- to 40-year-olds attend, but even women in their 70s and 80s participate.

For more information and to find a “Becoming and Outdoors Woman” program in your area, go to the founding university’s website.

For more information and to find a “Women in the Outdoors” program in your area, go to the NWTF outreach site, Women in the Outdoors.

Photo: Nina Hale

Agnieszka Spieszny

Everyday I try to exercise my brain and body, and find something new to learn about. I read extensively, write gainfully, and drink massive amounts of tea, seriously. I love many things, especially spending time in nature. I love learning outdoor survival skills and outdoor tips as I write about the topics for OutdoorHub.com. I slowly preparing for two separate extreme outdoor adventures - one to the tip of the earth in Nunavut, Canada where the earth begins to split into glaciers and the other into the wilderness in New Zealand; where cliffs meet the coast. I love traveling and have been to Europe, North America and Asia. My first trip abroad was when I was 5 years-old and my parents brought me from my home country of Poland to New Jersey, USA. We moved to Michigan not long after and I've moved around the state a bit. I spent four years in East Lansing, studying Journalism at Michigan State University all the while photographing and writing for spartanedge.com. In 2010 I moved to Detroit then traveled again to Europe and Asia at the end of that year which sucked me dry of all my money. Currently, I'm working on getting back in the city and establishing my homebase there. The shortlist of what I do: Recycle Play cards Dance Travel Procrastinate Love music What I don't do: Watch TV Eat junk food Walk to work Wash my hair everyday Spend money senselessly