Courtesy of Kansas Wildlife and Parks
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Program is designed to provide women a chance to learn about hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation in a friendly, supportive environment. During a three-day workshop at Rock Springs 4-H Center Sept. 26-28, volunteer instructors will teach participants a variety of skills, including fishing, wingshooting, camping, orienteering, rifle marksmanship, botany, dog handling, archery, and more.

KDWP held its first BOW workshop in 1994, so this will mark the event’s 15th anniversary.

“We had 110 women enrolled in the program last year,” says Ross Robins, KDWP Education Section chief. “Women wishing to ensure themselves a spot in this year’s workshop should register soon. KDWP is grateful to have the best corps of volunteer outdoor skills educators in the state as partners in this program. Many of them have been with us since the beginning.”

Studies have shown that many women do not participate in outdoor recreation because they have not had an opportunity to learn the outdoor skills that make these activities enjoyable. The BOW program has shown that when that opportunity is offered, women take advantage of it with enthusiasm and self-confidence.

The application deadline for this BOW event is Sept. 15. More information on BOW, including a brochure and registration form for the 2008 workshop, is available at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or by phoning 620-672-5911.