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Outdoorswoman Events
Keep your eyes on this space! Registration materials will be posted for each workshop when available.
Join the Outdoorswoman e-Mailing List -- Sign up for the Becoming an Outdoorswoman e-mail list and get registration materials e-mailed to you when they are ready! All you need to do is send an email to join-BOW-Massachusetts@listserv.state.ma.us. (No subject or message is needed.)
2010 Calendar of Workshops
The tentative schedule for 2010 is posted below. Some information has not yet been finalized--those details will be posted when all is scheduled. Unless otherwise noted, all workshops are designed for women 18 years old to 80 who are beginners.
January 22-24 -- Women's Wellness Winter Weekend, Camp Becket--Once again, MassWildlife's Becoming an OutdoorsWoman Program plans to partner with the YMCA Camp Becket in the Womens Wellness Weekend Workshop. BOW instructors have been recruited for: Winter Survival, Animal Tracking and Winter Tree Identification. This is a very enjoyable and comfortable seasonal experience. See the Camp Becket website for more details and registration. This is a Camp Becket program for adult women. Registration is through the YMCA.
February 27 --Winter Workshop, Gardner--Held in partnership
with the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Dunn
Pond State Park, this workshop will focus on winter outdoor activities.
Sessions include: Ice fishing, Staying Warm in Winter, Winter Tree ID
(a snowshoe walk),and Dog Mushing. Registration
Materials 
are now available!
April 3/May 3-- Turkey Hunt Seminar and Hunt, Shirley -- This is part one of the Turkey Hunt for Outdoorswomen consisting of a 1 day seminar on April 3 and a 1 day turkey hunt to be offered May 3 at Devens (pending approval). Participants may choose to take part in one session or both. For the seminar, no previous hunting experience is required. First time hunt participants are required to take the seminar segment if they want to participate in the Turkey Hunt in May. Hunt participants must also have a valid FID or LTC, shotgun, MA hunting license and turkey permit. Space is unlimited for the seminar, buth only 10 women may participate in the Hunt.
April 24 -- Fly-fishing and Fly-Tying, Belchertown -- This is a terrific opportunity to learn the basics of flyfishing on the banks of the Swift River and how to tie your own fly.
June 4-6, 2010 --Mass. Outdoorswoman Weekend Workshop, Camp Becket, Becket -- Mark your calendars and ask for the Outdoorswoman weekend event as a holiday, birthday, or Mother's Day gift! Gift certificates are available by calling Sue Fritze at (508) 389-6329. (See the 2009 Weekend workshop materials below to get an idea of the kinds of skills sessions and programming that are planned.)
July (Date TBA) -- Lost in the Woods, With Your Walking Stick, Plymouth -- No one plans to get lost, but what if you did find yourself "turned around"? Our teaching team, Karen Nottenson and Bob Trapnell, will share their knowledge and skills that will help keep you comfortable, safe and eventually, found. They will also provide some walking stick self-defense instruction.
August 7-- Basic Camping for Outdoor Families, Wareham -- This is an event open to families who want try out camping, learn some useful skills and spend time together. Our plan is to hold this workshop in partnership with the Department of Conservation & Recreation at Scusset Beach State Park.
September-- Shooting Sports Day, Hanson -- This is a day devoted to learning about firearms and archery equipment. You'll have an opportunity to shoot shotguns, bows and arrows, rifles and handguns under the watchful eye of expert and friendly instructors.
October 2/December 4-- Deer Hunting Seminar & Hunt, Shirley -- This is a 2-part workshop, consisting of a 1-day seminar in Octcober onand a 1-day deer hunt in December (pending Devens military approval). Participants may choose to take part in one session or both. No previous hunting experience is required, but participants must have shotgun and a valid 2010 Massachusetts hunting license. An antlerless permit for Zone 9 would also be a useful item to apply for by July 16. First-time participants are required to take the seminar segment if they want to participate in the Deer Hunt. The Deer Hunting Seminar segment will provide information on deer ecology, behavior and deer management in Massachusetts. There will be an overview of deer hunting strategies and an opportunity to check your hunting gear and to sight in (target shoot) your shotgun with expert assistance.
Outdoorswoman Workshops Held in 2009
January 2009
January 23-25--Women's Wellness Weekend Workshop Session, Becket -- The Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA is hosting an annual Womens Wellness Weekend at their winterized camp facility. The Mass. Becoming an Outdoorswoman program will be supplying instructors for Ice Fishing, Animal Tracking and Winter Photography--3 of many hands-on sessions being offered throughout the weekend. Registration for the weekend is through the YMCA. To learn more and for a registration form link, go to the YMCA website.
February 2009
February 21--Beginning
Fly Tying, Belchertown
-- Tying an imitation fly and using it to catch a fish is a thrilling
and memorable experience. Winter is a great time to create fishing flies
as you plan your spring fishing expeditions! Jim Lafley of the Federation
of Fly Fishers will teach you the skills to get started. All materials
and equipment will be provided for this session. Space is limited to
10 participants. Cost is $30 and includes lunch. To register, please
send in registration
form
and check. Sorry but reservations by phone will not be accepted.
March 2009
March 7-- Woodlands Management, Harvard Forest, Petersham --
Do you want to improve wildlife habitat, derive income from timber in
the futre, create trails for woodland walks or conserve habitat for
rare or endangered species? This Forest Stewardship workshop is designed
for women own woodlands, or work with a Conservation Commission, Land
Trusts or other large land holders. Professional foresters and wildlife
experts will provide an introduction to reading the forested landscape,
techniques to formulate your stewardship goals and include some hands-on
experience in using some of the tools needed to evaluate your woodland.
Minimum of 10 people, 20 is the max. Registration
form
and medical
form
must accompany payment for pre-registration. Registration deadline
is March 2.
March 21 -- Hunting 101, Leominster -- So you want to go hunting
but where and how do you begin? Planning can (and should start) well
in advance of the hunt. In this workshop designed for adult women novice
hunters who want to go to the next step, we will consider: how to select
a property to hunt; habits and habitat of the game you seek, where to
start scouting; how to maximize your chances of success; selecting equipment,
Developing a preparation plan. Limit: 20 participants Cost:
$35 Registration Deadline March 17 - No refunds after this date. Be
sure that both registration
and medical information
are sent in with your check. This is an all day workshop that will take
place at the Leominster Sportsmens' Association.
April 2009
April 25 -- Turkey Hunting Seminar, Shirley. This is part one
of the Turkey Hunt for Outdoorswomen consisting of a 1 day seminar on
April 25 and a 1 day turkey hunt to be offered May 4. This program is
designed for women 18 and older. Participants may choose to take part
in one session or both. For the seminar no previous hunting experience
is required. First time hunt participants are required to take the seminar
segment if they want to participate in the Turkey Hunt in May. Hunt
participants must also have a valid FID or LTC, shotgun, MA hunting
license and turkey permit. Space is unlimited for the seminar, buth
only 10 women may participate in the Hunt on May 4. Registration
and medical forms
must accompany check. Sorry but we unable to take credit cards or reserve
over the phone.
May 2009
May 4 -- (Monday) Turkey Hunt, Devens RFTA -- Hunt participants must have a shotgun and valid gun license as well as a valid Massachusetts hunting or sporting license and turkey permit. Particpants also must have taken the BOW Turkey Seminar. Cost includes guide service, field assistance and a light lunch and dinner. Space is limited to 10 people with preference given to first time participants.
May 8 & 9--Seabird and Whale Watching for Outdoor Families,
Grafton & Gloucester -- This is a Becoming an OutdoorsWoman
Family Program — spouses, significant others and children are welcome!
This is a 2 part experience. May 8--Evening program in Grafton
on May 8, 7:30 PM with noted naturalist and outdoor writer Mark Blazis
who will present a slide presentation on the common pelagic (open ocean)
seabirds and marine mammals seen off the Massachusetts coast. May
9--Whale and seabird watching trip departs from Gloucester in the
afternoon wheer you will observe birds, whales and learn about important
conservation programs to protect these kinds of wildlife and their habitat.
Registrants may sign up for one or both portions of the experience.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pre-registration
is required. Deadline is May 4, no refunds after May 1. Registration
and medical forms
for each participant must accompany checks or cash. Sorry, but we are
unable to take credit cards or make reservations by phone or fax.
June 2009
June 5-7 -- Outdoorswoman Weekend, Becket (NEW
LOCATION!)-- Registration
Materials
Registration deadline is June 1. This weekend offers 25+ separate
workshop options plus fun and activities for the full group. Learn about
new outdoor skills and recreation opportunities right here in Massachusetts
including archery, kayaking, wild edible plants, nature photography,
fly fishing, shooting and more. Bring a friend or relative and have
a great weekend at "Camp for Women" located at the beautiful Chimney
Corners YMCA Camp. All sessions are designed for novices and taught
by friendly, experienced instructors. Chimney Corners YMCA camp. is
situated on the banks of Rudd Pond and Smith Ponds; two lakes which
offer wonderful boating and fishing opportunities. At 100 acres in size,
Rudd Pond is a treasure; a natural, spring-fed lake. Swimming, boating
and fishing, as well as hiking and camping around the perimeter are
available. There are miles of hiking trails. For more information about
the camp visit their website.
July 2009
July 18--Discover Geocaching, Acton -- A walk in the woods is
more fun if you take some buddies with you - and two of those buddies
should be your map and compass. Another good buddy could be your handheld
GPS. In this workshop, we will learn to use the GPS first as a trail
guide and then a tool for fun and adventure. From learning to interpret
motion, to using new skills to seek out our lunch, to searching for
hidden treasures and solving geocache riddles, this course will have
you ready to head out on your own adventures with friends! Registration
slots are limited! Cost is $30 and includes lunch and materials.
Registration
and medical forms
must accompany check. Sorry, but we unable to take credit cards or register
participants by phone.
September 2009
Shooting Sports Day for Outdoorswomen, Hanson -- A day designed
for adult women (age 18 and older) to learn how to use different kinds
of guns, from shotguns and rifles to handguns. You'll also get to shoot
a bow and arrow! Try your hand at archery and firearm target shooting
with expert instructors at the Hanson
Rod & Gun Club. Attend the day long workshop plus an optional
session from 4-5 pm on Mass. Gun laws and you will receive a certificate
which will assist you in applying for a gun license (FID or LTC) with
your local police department. Registration Deadline is September 11,
2009--limited to 40 participants. You must include your registration
form and medical form
along with your check in order to enroll. This is a popular workshop
that fills up fast! Sorry, but we unable to take credit cards or register
participants by phone or fax.
A Day At Quabbin Reservoir -- History and Fishing. Learn about the history of the Quabbin Reservoir, the forest and wildlife history in the region and take the opportunity to drop a line in the water supply for Greater Boston.
November 2009
November/December -- Deer Hunting Seminar (November 7--$25) and
Deer Hunt (December 5--$55) -- This is a 2-part workshop,
consisting of a 1-day seminar and a 1-day deer hunt. If you take
both segments, the cost is $70. Participants may choose to take
part in one session or both. No previous hunting experience is required,
but participants must have shotgun and a valid 2009 Massachusetts hunting
license. You need a hunting license in order to apply. First-time participants
are required to take the seminar segment if they want to participate
in the Deer Hunt. The Deer Hunting Seminar segment will provide information
on deer ecology, behavior and deer management in Massachusetts. There
will be an overview of deer hunting strategies and an opportunity to
check your hunting gear and to sight in (target shoot) your shotgun
with expert assistance. No Refunds after November 1 (for Seminar)
and November 23 (for Hunt). No refunds after this date. Be sure
that both registration
and medical information
are sent in with your check. Sorry, but we can't accept credit cards
or register participants by phone or fax.
Last Updated: 02/03/2010