Feb. 16, 2012
Through March 1, registration open to first-time participants only, then open to all; limited to 48 participants
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program now offers a spring workshop to complement the traditional fall workshop that has been offered each year since 1993. This year’s spring workshop will be held May 18, 19, and 20 at Rock Springs 4-H Center, near Junction City, the same location as the fall workshop.

During the three-day workshop, volunteer instructors teach participants a variety of skills, including fishing, wingshooting, camping, orienteering, rifle marksmanship, botany, dog handling, archery, and other outdoor recreation in a friendly, supportive environment. Twenty-eight concurrent sessions will be offered, from hunting and fishing skills to camping, outdoor cooking, bird watching, orienteering, and wilderness survival. Mini-sessions will cover such topics as “Kansas critters,” outdoor first aid, campfire songs, and star gazing.

The $250 workshop fee includes seven meals, two nights lodging, instruction, supplies, and use of equipment. Based on financial need, three $100 scholarships are available for first-time participants. Email kansasbow@sbcglobal.net for scholarship details.

In addition to the scholarships, an essay contest will award one free entry to the workshop. Interested applicants must write a short paragraph (no more than 100 words) about why they want to become a Kansas Outdoors-Woman and post it as a comment online at blog.travelks.com under the story entitled “Win a women’s weekend in the Kansas Outdoors.” Entries are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. A panel of judges will review all entries, and the winner will be posted on blog.travelks.com social media sites by Tuesday, Feb. 21. You must be 18 to enter.

Through March 1, only registrations from those who have never attended a BOW workshop will be accepted. After that, application is open to all women if spots are still available. For more information, go online to the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com, and click “Services/Education/Becoming-an-Outdoors-Woman” or phone 785-845-5052. While you’re at it, join the BOW on Facebook at Becoming An Outdoors Woman KANSAS.

Studies have shown that many women do not participate in outdoor recreation because they have not had an opportunity to learn the skills that make outdoor activities enjoyable. The popularity of BOW proves that when given the opportunity, many women take advantage of it with enthusiasm. Women who participate learn the outdoor skills that allow them to fully enjoy the natural environment while building self-confidence.
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