Becoming an Outdoors-Woman celebrates 10 years

Wisconsin boasts a wealth of outdoor opportunities and this year, the state celebrates 10 years of offering one of those unique opportunities - the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program. A nonprofit educational program, BOW will celebrate with its 10^th late-summer workshop on August 25-27 at Treehaven field station near Tomahawk.

"Treehaven was the host site for the very first BOW workshop in the United States," says Wisconsin BOW coordinator Peggy Farrell. "It’s a beautiful, modern facility in a pretty part of the state." Farrell adds that since its inception, BOW has grown to offer workshops in 46 states and nine Canadian provinces.

The workshop begins at noon on Friday and finishes after lunch on Sunday. Participants can choose from over 20 different class activities including Wilderness Survival, Paddle a Canoe, Wild About Turkeys, Beginning Shotgunning, Fly Fishing and more.

BOW is designed specifically for adult women who are interested in learning outdoor skills in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Class instructors are chosen for their patience and enthusiasm in sharing their knowledge.

"BOW is my favorite group to teach," says environmental educator Kelly Wisinski. "They are eager to learn and they are fun! We laugh a lot throughout the weekend, and that camaraderie is an important part of the workshop." Wisinski will teach classes in Backpacking and Wild Edibles at the August workshop.

New sessions this year include Birds of Wisconsin and From Field to Table, a class on how to care for and prepare fish and game. Evening programs including an outdoor clothing fashion show and outdoor fair.

The $215 registration fee covers seven meals, two night's lodging, equipment use, instruction in four classes and a weekend packed with fun. The workshop is open to anyone 18

to 80-plus years old. Limited funds are available for financial assistance for low-income women to attend the program.

"BOW participants come from all walks of life and span the whole range of ages," says Farrell. "It is a terrific experience to see such a diverse group of people interacting, learning and having a fun together."

For more information on the program, scholarships, or future events, call Peggy Farrell, (715) 346-4151, or email peggy.farrell@uwsp.edu. Visit BOW at www.uwsp.edu/bow/.

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