12/03/2024
Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to generosity and supporting causes that make a difference. Please take a moment to read about the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program and why it matters. Then make a donation (below) to support program efforts and scholarships for women with a financial need. Your donation may be tax deductible
A Little History: Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is a non-profit educational program offering hands-on outdoor skills workshops for adult women all across North America. The idea for BOW began in Wisconsin in 1990. Program planners set out with the mission of breaking down barriers to women’s participation in outdoor activities. The first workshop was scheduled for September 1991. What happened next was a series of surprises.
The first surprise came as registrations began filling the BOW mailbox. BOW Founder Dr. Christine Thomas had expected maybe a couple dozen women would sign up. Registration closed a month before the workshop with 107 participants on the roster.
Next was how quickly the word spread. Wisconsin was doing this great women’s program. Natural resource agencies in other states wanted in on the secret. Over the next four years, folks who were in on the early stages of BOW traveled the country to help launch new BOW programs.
As BOW grew, the goal of teaching women outdoors skills was being met in nearly every state and several Canadian provinces. The next surprise: BOW participants were gaining more than just skills. They gained confidence. They got a boost of self-esteem. They made friends, had fun, and sometimes stepped outside their comfort zone, surprising themselves. More than a few participants said their experience was “life changing”. Seeing this personal growth and gratitude wasn’t something the original planners anticipated. But that became, and remains, one of the most rewarding aspects of BOW.
BOW Participants: They are a diverse group ranging in age from 18-80+. They are teachers, nurses, lawyers, mothers, bakers, bankers; single, married, divorced; they are comfortable in nature, or they’ve never been out of the city; they have different ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds. A subset of them face life challenges including health or family concerns. What they have in common is a desire to learn new things in a safe, supportive learning environment. BOW provides exactly that.
BOW Instructors: They are knowledgeable, patient, and enthusiastic volunteers. A passion for sharing their love of the outdoors encourages and inspires newcomers to explore the natural world. Instructors teach a variety of classes - camping, kayaking, backpacking, target shooting, archery, hunting, knife sharpening, knot tying, compass reading, fly fishing, ice fishing, pan fishing, backing a boat, building a fire, bird watching, to name a few - to ensure that there is something for everyone.
Why Does This Matter? The women who benefit from their BOW experience matter. They share new knowledge with their families. They take their new confidence out into the world. They become more engaged in resource management and environmental protection. They join the broad network of conservation communities that care about wildlife, habitat, land, air, and water. And together they make the world a brighter place.
We have set a goal to raise $5,000 on Giving Tuesday. Two ways to help us reach our goal:
Donate by PayPal: Scan the QR code below or search Becoming an Outdoors Woman Inc.
Donate by check: Made out to BOW Inc. and mailed to
Becoming an Outdoors Woman Inc.
PO Box 1026, Stevens Point WI 54481
Thank you for supporting BOW. We wish you all the best this holiday season.
