‘Becoming an Outdoors-Woman’ program improves participants greatly

More than 2,000 participants have improved their shooting, fishing and other outdoor skills since Iowa launched its 'Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” program in 1994, according to coordinator Julie Sparks.

At least 70 women have registered for the annual event next weekend at Springbrook State Park, and it's not too late to join them, said Sparks, a communications specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

'It's a lot of fun, learning outdoor skills along with other like-minded women,” said Gail Barels, a conservation education specialist with the Linn County Conservation Department and one of many instructors for the annual event.

'It's a comfortable, non-intimidating way” to learn skills that have traditionally been practiced primarily by males, said Barels, who is teaching Dutch oven cooking this year.

Springbrook State Park, with a lake, shooting range, diverse habitat and beautiful scenery, provides an ideal setting for the event, Barels said.

The 'Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” program began in 1991 in Wisconsin and quickly spread to more than 40 states.

Each year, more than 20,000 women participate in the workshops, which cover a range of activities from hunting, shooting and fishing to bird watching, archery, nature photography and paddle sports.

Sparks, who has coordinated Iowa's program since 2002, said paddle sports, and especially standup paddling, and survival skills have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Typically, she said, participants can choose from six offerings for each of four sessions during the weekend.

Classes are kept small to ensure all participants get plenty of hands-on experience, she said.

Like many of the participants, many instructors return year after year, according to Sparks.

'They like that the participants are eager to learn and willing to listen,” Sparks said.

Registration information and forms are available on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov (click on 'education” then 'camps and workshops”), by calling (515) 281-6159 or emailing julie.sparks@dnr.iowa.gov

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