Applications sought for Becoming Outdoors Women camps

It’s not the typical girls’ weekend, but it could be one of the most memorable. Applications are open now for two Becoming an Outdoors-Woman camps.

The weekend workshops, known as BOW, are hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to teach women outdoor skills and activities.

The first camp, June 28-30, is the traditional BOW workshop.

Hosted in Dubois at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp, women will learn about local plants and wildlife, and get to try out canoeing, orienteering, fishing, archery, shooting sports and photography. The cost is $150, due when applications are submitted. There are 45 spots for randomly chosen participants. Groups up to four can apply together.

The second workshop is slated for Sept. 13-15 at the Safari Club International Granite Creek Camp between Jackson and Pinedale. Called Beyond BOW, this hunting-focused camp has two parts.

One is for mentors to learn how to best introduce and support people who are new to hunting; the other is a camp for women to develop skills to learn to hunt. The camp accepts 20 hunters and 10 mentors.

“Mentors are individuals — men or women — who have experience hunting and want to take the next step in their hunting journey to share that knowledge with others,” said Kathryn Boswell, Game and Fish hunter and angler participation coordinator. “This camp will teach you the needed skills for your first hunt and connect you with others in the Wyoming hunting community.”

Beyond BOW will cover topics such as hunting ethics, firearms, archery, gun cleaning, optics and a simulated hunt. The cost is $200. Participants will be expected to complete an online hunter safety course before participating in the camp.

“BOW camps have expert instructors who will teach you something new in a supportive environment,” Boswell said. “It’s a unique getaway for friends or to make new ones — it’s the quintessential Wyoming weekend.”

The application deadline for BOW is April 15 and Beyond BOW is June 15.

Women must be at least 18 years old to apply. If not selected, application fees will be returned. Applications and payment information are available on the Game and Fish website.