Home → Programs & Resources → Educational Programs → Outdoor Programs → Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Becoming an Outdoors Woman
The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program began in 1991, when it was first offered through the University of Wisconsin-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 has been hosted at various locations throughout Maine for over two decades. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman means becoming more competent, more confident and more aware in Maine's vast terrain and recreational opportunities. 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
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops are held seasonally 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 non consumptive 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!
Skills Weekends
A three-day workshop typically held in the fall or winter months, 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 casting and ice fishing, rock wall climbing, snowshoeing, trapping and ATV/snowmobile safety.
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.
New location! Join us on the shores of Echo Lake, tucked just along the rolling mountains of Acadia National Park at Camp Beech Cliff for the BOW spring mini!
Sunday, May 19th from 8:30am – 4:30pm, join MDIFW staff alongside some new faces for a fun filled day of programming!
For more information about the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program and to view the current schedule please visit our host locations websites.
- University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond/BOW (off-site).
- Camp Beech Cliff (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