Becoming an Outdoors Woman

The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program began in 1991, when it was first offered through the University of Winsconsin-Stevens Point. The program was created as the result of a study conducted by Professor Christine Thomas, which determined that women preferred to learn hunting, fishing and outdoor skills in a non-competitive atmosphere along with other like-minded women.

The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and hosted at The University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond in the beautiful mountains of western Maine. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman means becoming more competent, more confident and more aware. Through this program we hope to not only provide the opportunity to learn about the outdoors but to also provide a venue for women to learn more about themselves. Participation in these workshops has provided countless women with life changing experiences.

Annual Workshops

Several Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops are held in Maine each year. These workshops are all designed to provide opportunity for women who are 18 and older to gain or improve skills in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in a safe and comfortable environment. If you have been looking for an opportunity to learn new skills, try a new outdoor activity, gain self-confidence or simply be more active in the outdoors- BOW is for you!

Fall Introductory Skills Weekend

A three day workshop typically held in September or October with activities including but not limited to: safe firearm use with rifles, shotgun sporting clays, safe pistol shooting, muzzleloader, archery, bow hunting, outdoor cooking, wild game cooking, map & compass, outdoor photography, canoe & kayak, wildlife ecology, fly tying & casting, wild edibles, spin fishing, rock wall climbing, and ATV safety.

Winter Skills Workshop

This extensive, weekend-long program is the perfect excuse to get outside, learn or improve new skills, and make new friends. Activities include but are not limited to: ice fishing, outdoor survival, wild game cooking, fire cooking, fly tying, snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, shelter building, shotgun, rifle, safe pistol shooting, muzzleloader, archery, bow hunting, turkey hunting, maple sugaring, snowmobile safety, rock climbing, and winter survival.

Spring Mini

A one day workshop held in May with activities including but not limited to: fly tying, fly fishing, water ecology, wild game cooking, archery, shotgun sporting clays, rifle, safe pistol shooting, muzzleloader, survival skills, canoe, kayak, ropes course, and rock climbing.

For more information about the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program and to view the current schedule please visit University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond/BOW (off-site).

Sign up for email updates on the BOW program including workshop registration.

Chelsea Lathrop
Education and Outreach Coordinator
353 Water Street
SHS #41
Augusta, ME 04333
207-446-8692
or email Chelsea.lathrop@maine.gov