Once upon a time it was overwhelmingly boys who were given guns, then taught how to shoot and hunt by their fathers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers. Girls typically were given dolls and stayed around the house to help their mothers, grandmothers and older sisters. They were taught how to cook and prepare the bounty of game the boys brought home after a successful hunt. Of course, there were always a few outliers, but most of the shooting and hunting was up to the guys.
The women participating in outdoor activities in those days had to use the equipment and clothing on the market, which was all designed with a man’s body-type and stature in mind. The stocks of the firearms were too long, and the guns were too heavy. The women had to buy men’s equipment, men’s clothing, men’s footwear, and do the best they could with what they were offered if they wanted to participate in outdoor activities.
A 1990 workshop held at the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point called, “Breaking Down the Barriers to Participation of Women in Angling and Hunting” identified 21 reasons why there was low participation by women in these activities. Some of these barriers that were identified were that most of the women were not taught these skills as a child and they did not have the resources, clothing or gear to fit them. Fourteen of the 21 barriers related to lack of information. Ultimately it was Dr. Christine Thomas, a graduate student from the same university, who developed a “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” workshop to address these barriers.
Dr. Christine Thomas, founder of the "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" program, speaking at an anniversary BOW event.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshops were designed to offer hands-on opportunities to learn basic outdoors skills and provide information to educate those who attend. Other barriers are addressed during a BOW weekend, such as a perceived lack of role models, and intimidation of the unfamiliar activity, like “Where do I even begin?” and “How can I shop for equipment when I don’t even know the terminology?”
BOW quickly developed into a national model. This popular three-day weekend workshop offers introductory and basic outdoor skills to introduce ladies 18 and older to a variety of outdoor opportunities they may have never learned, or skills in which they wish to improve upon. Most of the BOW instructors are women, and every workshop provides a non-competitive, non-threatening, welcoming, encouraging, and positive experience to build confidence and motivation to all who attend. Class sizes are kept small for a more personal learning environment, and all the classes are hands-on.
A variety of classes during a BOW weekend are offered and broken down into three categories: One-third of the classes offered are topics related to hunting, wildlife, and shooting; one-third of the classes offered are topics related to fishing, boating, and water; and one-third of the classes offered are non-consumptive and “other” outdoor skills. During a BOW weekend, there may be upward of 50 different classes to choose from, and the participant is only able to select four classes.
A typical BOW weekend’s schedule begins with registration and check-in on Friday at 10 a.m. A welcome session begins at 11, followed by lunch. Ladies go to their first session Friday afternoon, and classes last approximately 3½ hours each. Dinner is served Friday evening, and there is some type of evening program offered.
Each BOW workshop offers evening programs that bring the entire group together to encourage fellowship and a reflection of the day’s activities. Some of these programs include a wild-game dinner, often hosted by state agency personnel, conservation police officers or game wardens. Other programs may include manufacturers from local retail stores to show and tell the latest items made for and often designed by women. There have also been panels of women who are in the outdoor industry who host a Q & A session and share their stories, struggles, barriers, and successes along their journey, being women in the outdoors. And other activities may be a campfire after dark and roasting s’mores. Many of the participants have never sat around a campfire or ever enjoyed a s’more!
Saturday morning begins with breakfast, then ladies attend their Session II class. Lunch follows, then the ladies go to their Session III class. Dinner is served and the evening concludes with yet another program to bring everyone back together for more fellowship.
Sunday morning begins with breakfast and the ladies attend their final Session IV class of the weekend. After classes end, participants gather their items and share contact information with each other as lifelong friendships are made. Another BOW workshop is in the books as everyone departs the workshop.
These BOW workshops have become extremely successful over the years and have grown in popularity and high demand. Ladies who have previously attended a BOW weekend eagerly look forward to signing up for a future workshop. Research shows that individuals are more likely to continue an activity when they have a friend to do it with. Therefore, many of these “repeat offenders” invite friends and family, who may have never experienced outdoor activities, to join them for a future event.
In 1993, Texas hosted the first Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop at the 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood, Texas. The success of the weekend was immense and the demand for more BOW workshops began to increase. At one point, Texas was up to six BOW workshops per year. The ladies who attended a BOW weekend gained knowledge, skills, and confidence they could master the outdoor activities they learned! They left the workshop and typically hit every sporting goods store between the camp and home, stocking up on equipment, gear, and clothing, ready to continue their newly found passion. Manufacturers quickly recognized the interest and demand for outdoor products, clothing, footwear and firearms to be made and designed for women. Today, there are products and companies made for and made by women to fill that niche.
In 2010, I was fortunate to take on the statewide BOW Coordinator role (in addition to my current Assistant Hunter Education Coordinator job duties). I coordinated two BOW workshops each year—one in the spring and one in the fall. BOW moved around the state to different facilities to enable attendance by women in a variety of locations. Facilities were required to accommodate climate-controlled lodging for approximately 130 participants, plus separate lodging for approximately 50 staff, volunteers and instructors. Access to water on property for the water activities including fishing, flyfishing, kayaking, and paddleboards was also mandatory. There had to be an area on property where we could safely teach and shoot shotguns, a place where we could set up an archery range, and ideally another area onsite to shoot rifles and/or handguns. There had to be ample space around the property to hold classes, both indoors and outdoors. Most importantly, there had to be camp kitchen staff able to feed close to 200 attendees during BOW weekend!
BOW instructors are not just people who “like” to shoot, for example. They typically have a shooting business and are NRA Shotgun, Rifle and Pistol Instructors proficient in their areas of expertise. All are vetted prior to teaching. They must be a great “fit” in a BOW weekend. Many of the female instructors began BOW as participants themselves and have worked their way up to becoming an instructor. These ladies know the anxiety, apprehension and fear of the unknown the new attendees feel as first-time participants. They can relate, and soon help boost their self-confidence because they, too, have been in their shoes.
Women are participating in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation activities at increasing rates. State agencies and their partners have recognized this rise and are providing more opportunities for women to engage in these endeavors. BOW is the perfect opportunity to try out different activities, meet other like-minded women, and build confidence and skills while having fun doing so. As a result of BOW programs across the nation, participation in outdoor activities is growing, more people are visiting state and federal lands, conservation awareness is increasing, and positive attitudes about natural resources are developing.
Currently, 38 states and six Canadian providences offer BOW workshops. For the women who attend a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event, it is life-changing! The bonds these ladies make with other likeminded individuals form and friendships develop that last a lifetime. If you have never attended a BOW weekend—find one! If your state does not offer one of these events, inquire why not. Locate BOW events, invite some friends, and sign up—even if it is out of state. Remember, if you are an NRA Woman, you are already a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman!
