Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and Beyond BOW are programs designed to teach women outdoor skills. These 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. BOW 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 mid-eighties!
View the photo gallery from past BOW workshops on DEC's Flickr page.
Support the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program
Members of the public can support DEC lands, facilities, and programs through our charitable partner, the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). Online giving is simple and secure and fully tax-deductible. Donations to NHT directly support projects and programs that enhance facilities, expand access to outdoor recreation and environmental education, provide public land access, and protect natural resources. Donations made on Natural Heritage Trust's website (leaves DEC website), will be used to provide scholarships for women that otherwise would be unable to attend.
Challenge Yourself
BOW and Beyond BOW Workshops are for you, if you:
- have always wanted to try outdoor activities, but have never had the opportunity;
- would like to learn new skills surrounded by supportive and enthusiastic instructors and students; or
- would like to meet other women interested in the outdoors.
Upcoming BOW Events
Fall BOW Workshop-30th Anniversary of NY BOW!
Where: Adirondack Woodcraft Camp, Old Forge, NY
When: September 8-10th, 2023
Registration: A link will be provided here when the lottery opens in July for the Fall Workshop.
Courses offered will include: Stand Up Paddleboard, Kayak, Canoe, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Shotgun, Rifle, Crossbow, Archery, Muzzleloader, Field Dressing Wild Game, Plant ID, Adirondack Ecology, K-9 First Aid, Dutch Oven Cooking, Intro to Camping, Trapping, Wilderness Survival, and much more!
Beyond BOW Workshops
Beyond BOW workshops are any event other than the 3-day, 30+ courses BOW workshop listed above. To get the most updated information on all Beyond BOW events, enter your email address in the blue DEC Delivers box at the top of this page, and you can also follow us on social media.
Hunting 101
Where: GS Camp Amahami, Deposit NY (Catskills)
When: May 5-7th, 2023
Registration: Link to register will be provided here in early April
Earn your NY Hunter Education Certification with other women, taught by women! Learn firearm safety, cleaning, and handling using shotguns, rifles, and crossbows. Discuss hunting gear and use tree stands. Track a blood trail and field dress a game animal. You'll even learn about game meat preparation and try out some delicious recipes!
Testimonials from BOW Students
"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."
"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 and 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 changing 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."
For More Information
The best way to get up to date information about BOW and Beyond BOW events, when BOW registration opens and other programs of interest to outdoors women, is to sign up for the BOW email notification list. To sign up, look for the blue "DEC Delivers" box in the upper right of this page. Enter your email address to get started.
To contact us, please call (518) 402-8963 or e-mail us.
