OLYMPIA – Women can learn the basics of fishing, hunting and other outdoor skills in a September weekend workshop that includes several sessions led by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) experts and other certified instructors.

The annual workshop, scheduled Sept.16-18 at Camp River Ranch in Carnation, is coordinated by Washington Outdoor Women (WOW), a non-profit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills and natural resource stewardship. Now in its 14th year, WOW is an educational outreach program of the Washington Wildlife Federation.

Twenty different classes will be offered throughout the weekend, including archery, basic freshwater fishing, fly fishing and fly tying, kayaking, cooking wild game, big-game hunting basics, wilderness first aid, survival skills, medicinals on the trail, training a hunting dog, outdoor photography and more.

WDFW staff members serving as volunteer instructors for the event include biologists Laura Till and Susan Cierebiej, who will teach the use of a map and compass in the field. In all, 34 instructors will volunteer their time and expertise at the WOW workshop to help women re-connect with the outdoors.

Workshop participants must be at least 18 years old, and those planning to participate in the fishing and fly-fishing sessions must have a current Washington recreational fishing license.

The workshop fee of $235 includes the weekend’s lodging, meals and use of all necessary equipment. Partial scholarships, provided by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, are available for first-time participants.

To learn more about the workshop and to download the registration form, visit the WOW website at www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org or call Ronni McGlenn at (425) 455-1986.

Contact:

Ronni McGlenn, (425) 455-1986

Laura Till, (360) 902-2352