Outdoorswomen Skills Retreat 2024

At the Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center Dupuyer, MT

The Boone and Crockett Club invited women to the Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center for the first Annual Outdoorswomen Skills Retreat! The retreat took place August 23rd through the 25th and the weekend was spent building confidence in skills such as firearm handling, carpentry, use of power tools, firewood splitting and fire building, fly-tying and so much more!

Our goal was to provide women with the skills and knowledge needed to be self-assured and independent in outdoor recreation spaces. Sunrises were observed hiking and doing yoga on the Rocky Mountain Front and sunsets wrapped up our days as we gathered on the porch, wine in hand with stories to share! Attendees discussed their hesitancy to walk into the education center upon their arrival, as the skills seemed overwhelming and doing them in the presence of strangers felt daunting.

However, each woman felt their tune changed as they went through the weekend, experiencing guidance and patience from their instructors as well as an environment of support garnered from other women in attendance. These ladies showed up ready to cheer others on and it created a small and close-knit group-feeling bonded through a weekend of trying new, and often intimidating skills together.

In the future, we hope to host more women-centric skills clinics to break down barriers keeping women from feeling confident and liberated when it comes to outdoor proficiencies and to establish a legacy of Boone and Crockett women in the backcountry!

Details

Activities: sunrise yoga • hiking • journaling workshop • dutch oven cooking demonstration • DIY projects & crafts • wine tasting

What you will learn: archery basics bear safety • firearm safety • live fire shotgun, rifle and pistol opportunities • firewood splitting • fire building • outdoor gear 101 • fly-fishing & tying • fish identification • orienteering • power tools 101 • backcountry safe camping • leave no trace