Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program

"I would like to share with all women that if you have been afraid to try any of the programs BOW offers you should just do it. Whatever apprehensions you have will be gone in the first few hours. The instructors are incredible and the women are all so friendly. We are all on equal ground—you won’t feel intimidated."

The FWC sponsors workshops planned for women who want to spend a weekend learning a variety of outdoor skills. “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” workshops are slated for West Palm Beach (Nov. 9–11, 2012), Ocala (March 8–10, 2013) and Tallahassee (April 27, 2013).

The FWC invites women, 18 and older, to attend the workshops to learn or improve their outdoors skills and enjoy a few recreational activities. In four, three-and-a-half-hour sessions, workshops teach skills associated with hunting/shooting, fishing and non-consumptive (kayaking, outdoor cooking, etc.) activities at all levels of physical activity.

The most popular courses, year-in and year-out, are Introduction to Handgun Shooting, Basic Archery Skills, Primitive Chef and Basic Wilderness Survival Skills. Other topics are available such as Introduction to Reading the Woods, Introduction to Geocaching and GPS, Bird Watching Basics, Introduction to Shotgun Shooting, Introduction to Shooting Sports, Canoeing & Kayaking Basics, Introduction to Pan Fishing, Introduction to Bass Fishing, Introduction to Fly Fishing, Boating Basics, Outdoor Photography Basics, Florida Whitetails, Basic Camping & Backpacking Skills, Small Game Hunting Basics, Basic Personal Safety Skills, Basic Wilderness First Aid, Talkin’ Turkey, Hunter Safety Certification Course, Knot Tying Basics, Introduction to Muzzleloaders, Map & Compass Basics and Bow Hunting Basics.

The program offers a fun and supportive atmosphere to experiment and enjoy the camaraderie of others who want to learn about Florida’s great outdoors. Although it is designed with women in mind, the camp is open to anyone who wants to learn in a comfortable, non-threatening, non-competitive, hands-on atmosphere. The camp’s instructors strive to make participants feel at ease.

The workshops generally take place in the Ocala National Forest at the Ocala Conservation Center, the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp, and the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center near Tallahassee.

They are rustic summer camp facilities with basic, modern amenities. Lodging is dormitory style, with meals served in the cafeterias. Sessions will begin Friday afternoon and end Sunday with lunch.

The cost is $175; however, half price scholarships are available for low-income participants attending for the first time. Workshops are limited to 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Information about the workshop and registration is at MyFWC.com/BOW or by calling 561-625-5122.