Organization · Skills & Sport
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman runs state-level weekend workshops that teach women and teens practical skills — fishing, shooting, paddling, first aid, and more — in a welcoming, hands-on setting. Programs exist in most states, and many chapters offer youth and family tracks that bring the whole household into the field.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, profiles Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW), a cooperative extension program operating through state wildlife and natural resource agencies across the United States. BOW runs weekend workshops that teach adult women and older teens practical outdoor skills including fishing, hunting, archery, canoeing, and wilderness first aid. The page covers what BOW does, how families can participate through youth programs and state chapters, and which families the program fits best. It is part of the Outside Knowledge Network's Skills and Sport category.
| Cost | Moderate flat fee covering lodging, meals, and equipment; varies by state |
|---|---|
| Format | Weekend workshops, skill-specific follow-up outings |
| Region | Most U.S. states and several Canadian provinces |
| Season | Primarily spring and fall; varies by state |
| Audience | Women and teens 12 and older; family involvement varies by state |
What Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman started in 1991 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, built on a simple observation: many women wanted to learn hunting, fishing, and camp skills but had never had an easy on-ramp into those worlds. The program spread quickly. Today it operates through state fish and wildlife agencies, cooperative extension offices, and natural resource departments in the majority of U.S. states and several Canadian provinces.
The core model is a weekend workshop — usually Friday evening through Sunday afternoon — held at a camp, conference center, or outdoor education facility. Participants sign up for a menu of skill sessions and rotate through them over the weekend. Instructors are typically state agency staff, certified guides, and experienced volunteers.
What happens at a BOW workshop
A single weekend might offer twenty or more workshop sessions. Common offerings include fly fishing, rifle and shotgun shooting, archery, kayaking, map and compass navigation, wild game cooking, wildlife tracking, chainsaw safety, and wilderness first aid. Participants choose the sessions that interest them most.
The format is intentionally low-pressure. Groups are small, equipment is almost always provided, and no prior experience is assumed. The point is to actually do the skill, not to watch a demonstration. Most women attend their first BOW weekend knowing very little about the activities on the schedule and leave with several new competencies they can practice at home and pass along to their kids.
Family and youth programs
BOW's main workshops are designed for adult women, generally ages 18 and older. However, many state chapters have added programs specifically for younger participants. Beyond BOW — sometimes called Beyond BOW or BBOW — events are often shorter, skill-specific outings open to women who have already attended a core workshop, and some of these welcome teenage daughters or other youth.
Several states run dedicated youth or mother-daughter versions of the weekend format. Families interested in attending together should check directly with their state's BOW coordinator, since offerings vary considerably. Contact information for state programs is listed on the national BOW website. In states where a youth track exists, the minimum age is usually around 12 to 14, depending on the activity.
How to find your state's program
BOW is not a national membership organization with a central sign-up page. Each state program runs independently through its own agency or university. The national BOW website maintains a state-by-state directory that links to local coordinators and upcoming workshop dates.
Workshop costs vary by state. Most weekends are priced to be accessible, typically covering lodging, meals, instruction, and equipment rental for a flat fee. Some states offer scholarships or reduced rates for first-time attendees. Registration fills quickly in states with active programs, so checking the schedule in late winter for spring workshops is a practical habit.
Volunteering and getting more involved
BOW workshops run largely on volunteer labor. Instructors, assistant instructors, and logistics volunteers are recruited through state wildlife agencies and local sporting clubs. If a parent in your family is already skilled in fishing, shooting, or another outdoor discipline, contacting the state BOW coordinator about instructing is a genuine option.
Some state programs also welcome volunteers for registration, meal coordination, and general weekend logistics — roles that do not require specific outdoor expertise. Getting involved as a volunteer is one of the best ways to understand how the program works and to help expand youth and family offerings in your state.
Who this fits best
BOW is best suited to families where a mother, grandmother, aunt, or teenage girl wants a structured, supportive first experience with fishing, shooting sports, or backcountry skills. It works especially well for women who did not grow up in outdoor-oriented households and want to build enough confidence to lead their own kids into these activities.
Families living near active state programs get the most out of BOW because follow-up events and the volunteer network are all local. The program is not a fit for very young children or for families looking for a shared co-ed experience, but for the right participant it is one of the most practical skill-building weekends available anywhere in the country.
Think about one outdoor skill you have always wanted to learn but never had a chance to try. What would change for your family if you knew how to do it well?
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my daughter to a BOW workshop?
It depends on your state. The core BOW weekend is designed for adult women, but many state chapters run mother-daughter or youth-specific programs. Check your state's BOW coordinator page for current youth eligibility and age minimums, which typically fall between 12 and 14.
Do I need any experience to attend a BOW weekend?
No experience is required or expected. BOW workshops are built around beginners. Equipment is provided for most activities, and instructors start from the ground up. The program specifically welcomes women who have never held a fishing rod or fired a rifle.
How do I register for a BOW workshop in my state?
Each state runs its own program independently. The national BOW website lists state coordinators and links to local registration pages. Because workshops fill quickly, checking for spring dates in late winter and fall dates in midsummer is a good practice.
Can my husband or a male family member volunteer or attend?
BOW workshops are designed specifically for women and girls, so attendance is limited accordingly. However, some state programs welcome male volunteers in logistics or support roles. Contact your state coordinator directly to ask what volunteer opportunities are open to everyone.