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. 11–13, 2011) and Ocala (March 9–11, 2012).
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, camping, etc.) activities at all
levels of physical activity.
The most popular courses, year-in and year-out, are Primitive
Chef, Canoeing/Kayaking Basics, Basic Wilderness Survival
Skills and Introduction to Handgun Shooting and Hunting. Other
topics are available such as Introduction to Pan-fishing, Introduction to Bass Fishing, Basic Archery Skills, Introduction to Fly-fishing, Boating Basics, Outdoor Photography Basics, Bird-Watching
Basics, Florida Whitetails, Basic Camping and Backpacking
Skills, Small-Game Hunting Basics, Basic Personal Safety Skills,
Basic Wilderness First Aid, Talkin’ Turkey, Introduction to Reading the Woods, Introduction to Shooting Sports, Hunter Safety
Certification Course, Knot Tying Basics, Pine Needle Basket
Making Basics, Introduction to Black Powder Firearms, Introduction to Shotgun Shooting and Hunting, Map & Compass Basics
and Bow-Hunting Certification Course.
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, and the J.W. Corbett
Wildlife Management Area in northwestern Palm Beach County
at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp. 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, firstserved basis.
Information about the workshop and registration is at
MyFWC.com/BOW or by calling 561-625-5122.
