If you are a woman who has ever wanted to try fishing, learn to shoot a rifle or start a fire — or do a myriad of other outdoor activities — this might be the course for you.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation is hosting Becoming an Outdoors Woman in Squamish this September.
The all-inclusive weekend of skills training includes various workshops to choose from, including driving off-road, foraging, archery, fur handling and pelt preparation, fishing, practicing wilderness safety, or expressing creativity through painting or nature photography.
The weekend takes place at Brackendale's Evans Lake Forest Education Centre from Sept. 22 to 24.
The course costs about $500 and includes accommodations, meals, and all necessary equipment.
“We’re excited to see a shift in the perception of outdoor recreation, with more people, especially women, getting outside,” said Jesse Zeman, executive director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, in a news release. “Providing educational, hands-on workshops like BOW is one of the ways that the BCWF is committed to removing the barriers that prevent people from taking full advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities.”
Melanie Sereda, the B.C. Wildlife Federation's women's program co-ordinator, grew up doing many of these outdoor activities in her native Newfoundland.
Sereda said that her father grew up in South Africa and was outdoorsy, but most such activities were just for men while the women and girls stayed home. He didn't want that for his family.
"He wanted everybody to be included," she recalled.
Now, she wants other women to have the skills and sense of belonging in the outdoors that she gained with her upbringing.
"A lot of women didn't get to grow up with that opportunity," she said. "So when we have an opportunity to offer them a safe, non-judgmental, supportive, educational environment, the tides change. It's completely different ... They don't need to have any experience because they trust that they're going to gain a great deal of knowledge and have people be open to any questions that they have."
While the weekend welcomes newbies, women with more experience will also gain something, Sereda said.
"If you come with an open mind and an open heart, you can learn from any situation, whether you've been seasoned for 30 years or never stepped foot … in the outdoors. There's something for everyone."
Indigenous knowledge is recognized, as well, she said.
Having begun to reclaim her recently discovered Métis, Ojibwe and Algonquin heritage, Sereda said she wants to work toward incorporating more local Indigenous teachings in the program.
"I do feel the importance of it, and the BC Wildlife Federation also acknowledges the importance of Indigenous heritage and connecting in that way as well," she said.
She stressed that the weekend is hands-on, welcoming, and can be life-altering.
"It's so much more than just a weekend. It really is a ... glimpse into a way of living, that can be so much more fulfilling than walking in and sitting down in the classroom and turning around and walking away. I can't even begin to describe how healing it is to be included in these weekends."
Online Becoming an Outdoors Woman registration is open now. It closes on Sept. 4. Find more at bcwf.bc.ca/bow/.
