Washington Outdoor Women

Washington Outdoor Women
Teaching Women Outdoor Skills Since 1998

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Past Events:

Shotgun 2007
Wkend 2006
Shotgun 2006
Wkend 2005
Shotgun 2005
Shotgun 2002
Wkend 2002
Sept 2000
Sept 1999
Shellfish 1999

Past Events
(Use links below, left to jump to location)

March 2007 Shotgun Workshop

WWF’s WOW program began its 2007 year with another successful one-day shotgun workshop, March 24, at the Renton Fish and Game Club. Students follow the NRA First Steps program which emphasizes safety, knowing your shotgun, and learning the fundamentals of shotgun shooting. The course is thorough. It covers the parts of a shotgun, including ammunition and shot sizes, choke functions, action types and rules for safe shooting. These are followed by the Fundamentals of Shotgun Shooting: stance, gun-ready position, swing to target, trigger pull and follow through.

Participants also practice dominant eye exercises and dry firing. After this morning of classroom instruction, the women headed to the trap line to experience shooting moving targets. And even though it rained all day, that factor didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of these participants. Dressed for the weather, these outdoor women were outstanding examples of positive attitudes leading to success! Women tried several models of 12 and 20 gauge shotguns, with differing actions, to shoot clays. Everyone connected! The class concluded with gun cleaning, a discussion on safe storage and transportation, and a certificate and rocker to each participant completing the all-day course.

Well done Stephanie, Debbie, Tiffanny, Susan, Kathy, Donna, Maureen, Caroline, Cathy, Sharon and Cindy and Jon!

September 2006 Weekend Workshop, Camp Waskowitz

The Right Skills at the Right Pace
WOW’s 2006 Fall Weekend Workshop

Where’s the anchor point? Why is it called open-face spinning? How do I measure steepness, or grade, on a topo? If you attended WOW’s annual weekend workshop September 15-17 at Camp Waskowitz, you’d know the answer to these questions!

Women from all over Washington, as well as from Oregon and Arizona, raised their confidence levels as they re-connected with the outdoors over the course of 2½ days to learn 18 different skills. WOW’s 32 volunteer instructors included Map and Compass, Survival Skills, Fly Fishing, Basic Freshwater Fishing, Archery, Cooking with Wild Foods, Big Game Hunting Basics, After the Catch (preparing seafood), Canoeing, Backpacking, Wildlife Identification, First Aid for Dogs on the Trail, Herbal First Aid, Dutch Oven Cooking, and Birding Basics.

WOW places a premium on teaching women the right skills at the right pace. Our hands-on learning style develops confidence and competence. With 145 people on site, and all the women interested in connecting with the outdoors, the energy at Camp Waskowitz was enlivening and the enthusiasm was contagious. This was a group ready and eager to learn!

In addition to outdoor skills courses, special Break-out sessions were offered. They were Nature Journaling, Creating Your Own Backyard Wildlife Habitat, an open Fly Tying salon, and Amy Gulick’s beautiful and engaging slide show presentation, Wild Lives.

Another anticipated event during the weekend was WOW’s very special ‘Pass It On’ Kids Basket’ which was chucked full of outdoor activities, camping and fishing equipment, how-to and story books (including an autographed edition) and special event passes. This raffle bonanza was won by a mother of two Wee WOW’s – future Washington Outdoor Women! Northwest Trek, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Orvis, Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mountaineers Books, Washington Trails Association, American Birding Association, Cindy Brown, Scholastic Press, Seattle Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Washington Wildlife Federation and Washington Outdoor Women all contributed.

The level of support and commitment from the Washington Wildlife Federation and our other sponsors was again testament to the quality of WOW’s mission. As it has every year since 1998, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation provided partial scholarships for single mothers, full-time students, and those living lightly. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife again supplied several instructors and equipment. The Seattle Chapter of the Izaak Walton League provided financial support, several instructors and on-site digital photography. The National Wildlife Federation also supported WOW with financial as well as product donation, and on-site help. Our farthest a-field donor this year was Marge Levenson of The Doan Manufacturing Company of Ohio, who provided each Survival Skills student with a Doan Magnesium Fire Starter.

Thank you to all who supported WOW 2006 and to those who helped create and live the memory of another special outdoor experience.

March 2006 Shotgun/Clay Targets Workshop, Renton Fish and Game Club

Congratulations to 14 women who received their certificates and rockers for completing the NRA First Step (Shotgun) program at WOW’s March 11th workshop…

The Washington Outdoor Women program began 2006 with a one-day Shotgun/Clay Target Workshop at the Renton Fish and Game Club. 14 participants received one-on-one instruction from ten WOW instructors who are certified to teach the NRA First Step program. With emphasis on safety, education and application, the shooters received three hours of classroom instruction that included safe gun handling, learning how a shotgun and its ammunition work, the fundamentals of correct shooting technique, the reasons for applying these fundamentals, and rules (safety and protocol) of the range. After lunch the women were able to practice target shooting for three hours, with a break to learn how to clean their firearm. The day ended with enthusiastic response from new shooters who could now begin their journey of acquiring confidence with firearms….through continued application of the fundamentals.

Well done Becca, Carolyn, Janet, Jessica, Judy, Kayla, Kena, Kim, Laura, Leigh, Lori, Lyn, Rebecca, and Yolanda!

September 2005 Weekend Workshop, Camp Waskowitz

September 16-18 saw 115 women and 31 volunteer instructors participating in the WWF/WOW 2005 Fall Workshop. The versatile site on the south fork of the Snoqualmie River provided miles of trails in old growth forest, shelters and classrooms for instruction, warm lodging, and rustic places for group gatherings: everything necessary for a wonderful weekend of outdoor skills instruction. Fly Fishing had an open field to practice dry land casting before setting a fly in the river. FFF provided 8 stations for fly tying novices to try their hand with a hackle. Survival, Wildlife Identification, Big Game Hunting/Wildlife Conservation, Map & Compass, Outdoor Photography, and Cooking with Wild Foods all used the outdoors for their classroom. Women paddled canoes on Rattlesnake Lake, cooked Dutch Oven meals, identified animal tracks, tasted wild game, and fired arrows. Field-to-Freezer students learned how to properly cut and wrap meat; Wilderness First Aid participants bandaged each other, and Birders constructed their own bird houses. The Growing Wild class put its new Backyard Wildlife Habitat concepts into place by re-planting the camp entrance with native vegetation to attract wildlife. The Basic Fishing class caught trout on Rattlesnake Lake after learning proper casting technique and bait tips. And After-the-Catch participants filleted salmon, cleaned crab, shucked oysters, and steamed clams. A new class in 2005, Cordage-making, wove lanyards from native vegetation and handmade a cedar pouch for needles or fishing flies. The entire workshop learned about first aid for dogs on the trail and personal self defense in the outdoors or when encountering bear or cougar. The camaraderie around the campfire created many new friendships. Resources provided by more than 50 clubs, agencies, and organizations showed beginners how to pursue any skill of their choice. WOW’s instructors, chosen for their knowledge, experience, and teaching style, do what they teach and they are the best! Many hold state rankings and certifications. All are passionate about the outdoor skill they teach, and willingly volunteer their time and experience to give women the opportunity to gain the confidence they need to approach and enjoy the outdoors.

A total of 18 skills were offered at WOW’s Fall workshop (Click on Course Descriptions to check out the variety).

Plans are developing for other one day workshops throughout the year. Check this website for future selection and dates.

July 2005 Shotgun/Clay Targets Workshop, Renton Fish and Game Club

Wow hosted another of its one-day Shotgun workshops on July 23rd. 13 eager and enthusiastic shooters learned important gun handling safety and basic shotgun shills; practiced shooting clay targets, and learned how to clean their shotguns.

Eight WOW instructors - all NRA certified - and three support team members facilitated this outstanding day at the range.

Click here to view photos of the workshop.

September 2002 Weekend Workshop, Camp Waskowitz

Nearly 120 women attended this years weekend workshop at Camp Waskowitz along the beautiful banks of the Snoqualmie River. The 22 courses offered this year - the highest number yet - included After the Catch (preparing and cooking fish and shellfish), Archery (beginning and intermediate), Backpacking Basics, Big Game Hunting Basics, Birding, Cooking with Wild Foods, Dutch

Oven Cooking, Field to Freezer (cutting and wrapping game), Fishing (basic), Fly Fishing (beginning and intermediate), Fly Tying, Kayaking, Map & Compass (beginning and intermediate), Outdoor Photography (beginning and intermediate), Shotgun/Clay Targets, Survival Skills, Wild Edibles and Herbal Medicine, and Wildlife Identification.

WOW's instructors are all experts in their fields and some hold state and national titles.

June 2002 Shotgun/Clay Targets Workshop, Renton Fish and Game Club

This one-day session focused on the basics of shotgun safety, handling and technique with several hours dedicated to shooting clay targets.

There is no other program in Western Washington dedicated to teaching outdoor skills to women that includes the three disciplines of hunting, fishing and shooting sports. WOW 2001 began its year with a one-day Shotgun/Clay target workshop at The Renton Gun Club in June.

Women were introduced to the basics of shotgun safety, handling, and technique. They had an opportunity for extensive target practice with over 3 hours dedicated to shooting Clays. WOW participants learned how to dismantle a shotgun and clean it properly. A short field exercise taught women to climb a log or fence; walk a trail with hikers in front and behind them and store and retrieve firearms from a vehicle- all while using safe handling procedures.

All equipment and ammunition were provided on site at the Gun Club. All instructors for WOW are WHEIA or NRA certified.

It was a fun and successful day for many who had little or no exposure to shotgun/clay targets. Participants from the workshop called it "excellent reinforcement of the classroom teaching".

WOW plans to hold future shooting workshops. The dates will be posted on this web site as they become known. The one-day, in-depth workshops are limited to a maximum of 10 participants due to our policy of one-to-one certified instructor per participating student.

September 2000 Summer Workshop, Camp Waskowitz near North Bend

The Summer Workshop included a full range of course offerings: a Challenge Course course, Map & Compass, Packing with Horses, Survival Skills, Archery, Shooting Sports, Big Game Hunting, Fly Fishing, Fly tying, Outdoor Photography, Backpacking, Birding, Personal Preparedness, Wildlife Identification, Wild Edibles/Wilderness Medicine, and Dutch Oven cooking.

Shooting sports were held offsite at Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club in Fall City and Canoeing took place on Rattle Snake Lake. The outstanding setting, coupled with our usual fine weather in mid-September, provided the perfect context.

In all, over 100 women participated, many of whom received special scholarships made available for the first time for qualifying participants.

September 1999 Summer Workshop, Millersylvania State Park's Environmental Learning Center

On the weekend of September 17-19, 112 women and 37 volunteer instructors participated in WOW's summer workshop. The versatile site, located on Deep Lake, provided large open fields, 7 miles of trails in old growth forest, individual cabins and a main lodge: everything necessary for a wonderful weekend of outdoor experiences.

The weekend offered a well-rounded offering of courses: Big Game Hunting/Wildlife Conservation and Shooting Sports were held off site at the nearby Capitol City Bowmen's Club and Evergreen Gun Club. Fly-fishing had the open meadow to practice dry land casting before setting a fly in Deep Lake. The Federation of Fly Fishers provided 8 stations for fly-tying novices to try their hand with a hackle. Backpacking, Survival, Wild Edibles and Wilderness Medicine, Wildlife Identification, and Outdoor Photography all used the woods for their classroom.

Women paddled canoes, shot clay pigeons, cooked Dutch oven meals, identified animal tracks, tasted wild game, pitched tents, maneuvered a trailering course, fired arrows, and learned about personal protection when encountering cougar or bear.

The camaraderie around the campfire created new friendships. Resources provided by more than 50 clubs, agencies, and organizations showed beginners how to pursue any skill of their choice. WOW's instructors, chosen for their knowledge, experience, and teaching style, shined the whole weekend.

Seventeen skills were offered in WOW's 1999 program.

April 1999 Shellfish Workshop, Toandos Peninsula - Hood Canal

In 1999, WOW held a Spring Shellfish workshop on Hood Canal. With shellfish licenses and hopeful anticipation, women traveled to the tip of Toandos Peninsula to harvest oysters and dig clams. A long sunny day on the beach provided them the opportunity to shuck their oysters and learn some cooking tips.

At the end of the day, a seafood feast offered up fried oysters and a special WOW recipe for steamed clams. Participants took their limits home to delight their families with stories and seafood skills. Instructors Lisa Wood and Anita Cook, biologists with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, took everyone on an educational low tide beach walk to round off the day.