Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
Watch a clip about the Outdoors-Woman program on DEC TV.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and Beyond BOW are programs designed to teach women outdoor skills. These national programs provide women with information, encouragement and hands-on instruction in outdoor skills such as fishing, shooting, archery, hunting, trapping, outdoor photography, map and compass, survival, camping, canoeing and outdoor cooking. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops are designed primarily for women who have little or no experience with outdoor activities. These are three-day workshops that offer many different classes over the course of a weekend.
Beyond BOW workshops are another opportunity for women to learn outdoor skills and are anything we offer that is not the traditional three-day BOW workshop. They may be "next step" classes for women who have completed a beginner class at a BOW workshop. They may be one day, one subject classes. They may even be an actual hunt, canoe trip or camp-out.
BOW and Beyond BOW workshops are open to anyone aged 18 and over - past participants have ranged in age from late teens to the mid-eighties!
Testimonials
"This and previous workshops have really changed my life. I participate in so many activities that I never would have tried otherwise. My husband doesn't hunt or fish, so when I go out to do these things I'm alone, and the education I got here gave me the start I needed to get going and continue enjoying these activities."
"I came here feeling a little out of place and intimidated and am leaving feeling very comfortable and excited about trying some of my new found fishing and hiking skills."
"This program fulfilled a lifelong yearning I have had. Thank you."
"Great instructors, every single one was high quality: knowledgeable, practical & kind."
"I had a great time, I learned a lot and really enjoyed myself. I would highly recommend this program to any woman interested in learning more about our great outdoors. I'm looking forward to going again next year, there are so many other things I would love to try. Without these workshops I would never be able to try out so many new things. I also really enjoyed being with other women that would like to fish & hunt."
"It is a life experience! I wanted to learn skills that my husband, brother and father never had a chance to teach me. And to challenge myself without the guys around, I felt this was my chance."
"This is an extremely wonderful program that brings women together - all ages, all walks of life, with similar interests. It empowers women to take on a challenge that they may have been intimidated to take on their own. Thanks for the great experience."
Upcoming BOW Workshops:
2012 Schedule
The 2012 workshop will be June 29 through July 1 at Silver Bay YMCA on Lake George.
At workshops, we typically offer over 40 courses on topics ranging from hunting and fishing to hiking, camping, and nature study. At most workshops participants also have the opportunity to receive their hunter or trapper education certificate. If you are interested, print or download the Requirements for Certification (PDF) (19 kB).
View the BOW Workshop Course Guide (PDF) (78 kB) and print or download a Workshop Registration Form (PDF) (41 kB).
If you have questions, please call (518) 402-8862, e-mail us, or write to: NYS Outdoors-Woman, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
Upcoming Beyond BOW Workshops:
NEW! Beyond BOW Tent Camping Weekend, September 7-9, 2012! This is your opportunity to learn tent camping or refresh your skills, hands-on. No experience necessary! Print or download the camping workshop description and registration form (PDF) (180 kB).
For details about other Beyond BOW workshops in 2012, print or download the Adirondack Foothills Beyond BOW Course Guide (PDF) (81 kB), or review the list below.
April - June 2012
Stalking the Adirondack Ostrich - search for and learn to identify the ferns & flowers of the Adirondacks.
Date: June 9, 2012
Cost: $30 per person
Registration Contact: Sheila & Sonny Young, 518-359-8194, adkfoothills@yahoo.com
Spin Casting Mountain Lakes and Ponds - learn techniques and tactics for landing trout, pike, and other fish found in Adirondack lakes and ponds.
Date: June 16, 2012
Cost: $70 per person (limited enrollment)
Registration Contact: Sheila & Sonny Young, 518-359-8194, adkfoothills@yahoo.com
July - September 2012
Adirondack Byway: A Raquette Falls Hike and Paddle - explore this beautiful area on foot and by canoe or kayak with an Adirondack guide.
Date: July 21, 2012
Cost: $45 per person (limited enrollment)
Registration Contact: Sheila & Sonny Young, 518-359-8194, adkfoothills@yahoo.com
The Complete Hiker: Fun and Safety in the Wildlands - get the most out of your hiking adventures by learning how to stay safe while exploring the backcountry.
Dates: August 11, 2012
Cost: $30 per person; price does not include breakfast, dinner, or lodging
Registration Contact: Sheila & Sonny Young, 518-359-8194, adkfoothills@yahoo.com
High Peak Jaunt: Views from the Summit - hike to the summit of an Adirondack peak with a licensed guide.
Date: September 8, 2012
Cost: $30 per person (limited enrollment)
Registration Contact: Sheila & Sonny Young, 518-359-8194, adkfoothills@yahoo.com
Beyond BOW Tent Camping Weekend - an opportunity to learn tent camping or refresh your skills, hands-on!
Date: September 7-9, 2012
Cost: $70 (early registration up to July 20) or $75 (July 21 and after); includes campsites, meals, program, and firewood
Registration Contact: Donna Kalled and Tina Sorell, campmiss@yahoo.com (see workshop description and registration form above)
October - December 2012
Adirondack White-tailed Deer Hunting - learn deer hunting techniques and tactics and maybe get a chance to harvest the elusive Adirondack white-tailed deer.
Dates: November 15-16, 2012
Cost: $125 per person; price does not include breakfast, dinner, or lodging; very limited enrollment
Registration Contact: Sheila & Sonny Young, 518-359-8194, adkfoothills@yahoo.com
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Listserv
Sign up for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman e-mail notification listserve and get notices and registration information for all BOW and Beyond BOW events sent right to your inbox. All you need to do is click on the listserv link below and follow the directions on the screen. You will get a confirming e-mail back. You must respond to the confirming e-mail to activate the e-mail notification service.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman listserv
For further information on the BOW or Beyond BOW program, contact: NYS Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or call (518) 402-8862.
More about Becoming an Outdoors-Woman:
- Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Photo Gallery - images of participants in Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and Beyond BOW Workshops.
