Becoming an Outdoors Woman

Registration is now open! View registration page.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) is a nonprofit educational program offering hands-on workshops to adult women ages 18 and older. We encourage a supportive environment conducive to learning, making friends and having fun. No experience is necessary and BOW is for women of all ages and fitness levels. Participants have the opportunity to learn a variety of outdoor skills such as fishing, hunter safety, target shooting, archery, outdoor cooking, camping, rock climbing and rappelling, nature photography, boat and trailer, hiking and more. 
Becoming an outdoors woman

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New 2024 dates!

When: September 12-14
Where: Holmstead Ranch in Central, UT

Register Here

Beyond BOW classes

Beyond BOW offers numerous classes to improve your outdoor skills and learn new ones throughout the year. Check out our Eventbrite page to learn about upcoming events.

For more information, please contact Andrea at andrea.schmutz@usu.edu

Sample Schedule

Thursday     Friday     Saturday  
10:30am -12:15pm Registration and check-in   7:30am-8:15pm Breakfast   7:15am-8:00am Breakfast
12:30pm-1:15pm Overview and Orientation   8:30am-12:00pm Session 2   8:00am - 8:30am Checkout
1:30pm - 5:00pm Session 1   12:30pm-1:15pm Lunch   8:30am-12:00pm Session 4
6:00pm-7:00pm Dinner   1:30pm-5:00pm Session 3   12:15pm-1:30pm Lunch and closing remarks
7:15 PM Evening Activities*   6:00pm-7:00pm Dinner      
      7:15 PM Evening Activities*      

*Evening Activities
Evening activities will vary as instructors and resources are available. Samples of evening activities: Silent Auction, Search and Rescue (How to NOT make the headlines), outdoor gear/apparel fashion show, campfire with s'mores and program, 5 minute outdoor skill rotations, or any number of other fun activities!

Course Descriptions

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.

View details »

FAQ's

BOW will be held  at the Holmstead Ranch Resort
[1000 Holmstead Ranch Road (1089 East Baker Dam Road) Central, Utah 84722] For a sneak peek at the Holmstead Ranch, visit https://holmsteadranch.com/

$400-$450 depending on chosen accommodations (Includes 6 meals, 2 nights lodging, instruction in 4 classes, use of equipment, course materials, swag)

Equipment for each class will be provided. In some classes, such as fishing and mountain biking, you may bring your own equipment if you would like. (Please do not bring firearms.) Bedding and towels are provided. A list of suggested personal effects such as appropriate clothing will be sent via email shortly after you register. Optional: If you have an item you would like to donate for our silent auction to help raise scholarship funds for women to attend future BOW programs, we would love to have you bring it.

 

Other "BOW Destinations"

State/Province Contact
   
   
   
Alabama Marisa Futral
334-242-3620
Alaska​​ Nancy Sisinyak
Interior
(907)459-7346
Tracy Smith Southcentral
(907)267-2896
Kristin Romanoff
Southeast
(907)465-6166
Arizona​ Linda Dightmon  
(623)979-4612
Arkansas​ Lea Gray
Lea.Gray@agfc.ar.gov
501-676-9506
British Columbia​ Joann Bosch​
(604)882-9988
California​ Sarahbeth Gonsalves
(559)972-3441
Colorado​ Maureen Mika
(847)693-9264
Delaware​ Lynne Pusey
(302)422-1329
Florida​ Lynne Hawk
(561)625-5122
Georgia​ Katie McCollum
(770)784-3163
Illinois​ Mitch Ingold
(217)782-7026
Indiana Danielle Shrake
(317) 232-4194
Iowa​ Rachel Ladd   
(515) 729-6037

Megan Wisecup
Kansas​ Jami McCabe
(785)845-5052
Kentucky​
(270) 245-7612
State/Province Contact
Louisiana​​ Dana Norsworthy 
(318)345-3912
Maine​ Brittany Copp
(207)215-0292
Manitoba

Carly Deacon​
(204)633-5967​
Maryland​​ Karina Stonesifer​
301-777-2136
Massachusetts Astrid Huseby
508-389-6305
Minnesota​
Linda Bylander
(218)203-4347
Michigan​

Michelle Zellar
(906)293-5131
Montana​ Sara Smith
(406) 444-5280
Nebraska​ Julia Plugge
(402)471-5571
New Brunswick​ Nathalie Michaud
(506)479-1481
New Hampshire​ kaitlyn.kelleher@wildlife.nh.gov
(603)271-0495
Newfoundland and Labrador​ Debbie Howell
(709)229-7888
New Jersey​​  
New York Katrina Talbot
(518)402-88963
​North Carolina BB Gillen
(919)218-3638​
Nova Scotia​ Judy Clattenburg
State/Province Contact
Oklahoma​​ (918)592-2267
South Dakota​​ Brittany Copp
(207)215-0292
Tennessee​ Donald Hosse
(615)781-6541
Texas Heidi Rao
(281)534-0126
Utah Andrea Schmutz
435-301-7740
Virginia (804)367-0656
West Virginia Sissie Summers
(304)558-2764
Wisconsin Peggy Farrell
(715)346-4681
Wyoming​ Kathryn Boswell
(307)777-3412
SCIF Sables
Jackson, Wyoming		 Sue Hanker
(520)620-1220

 

Words From Alumni

"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."

"This was the most rewarding experience I have ever participated in."

"Many questions were asked and answered and there wasn't one person who felt intimidated by their lack of knowledge."

"The quality of instruction was outstanding"

"Good program, good food, good friends."

"I can't believe what this weekend did for my self esteem."