Education

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman


Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, or BOW, is a national education program that strives to make women more comfortable in and more aware of the outdoor world around them. South Dakota offers a Becoming and Outdoors-Woman workshop in the early fall each year, rotating back and forth between the eastern and western sides of the state. As 50% of our state’s population is female, we want to encourage more women to contribute to the outdoor sportsmanship that makes South Dakota great. Learning new outdoors skills as women can feel inaccessible or intimidating, especially in male-dominated activities. This workshop is critical to providing the tools and resources needed for women to grow their relationship with the outdoors. The workshop is broken into thirds; one third focusing on hunting, shooting and management through conservation; another third on fishing or water activities, and the last third on nature-based outdoor recreation such as backpacking, wilderness survival, and outdoor cooking

What is BOW?

The BOW workshop on the learning of outdoor skills - skills usually associated with hunting and fishing, but useful for many outdoor pursuits.

Designed for women, it is an opportunity for anyone 18 years of age or older, and is for you if:

  • You have never tried these activities, but have hoped for an opportunity to learn
  • You are a beginner who hopes to improve your skills
  • You know how to do some of these activities, but would like to try your hand at some new ones
  • You want to spend time with your significant other in new ways 
  • You want to foster friendships built around outdoor recreation 
  • You want to connect to where you live differently
  • You want to learn to provide for yourself/your family 

Event Overview

  • Designed for women
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Participate in a series of classes and seminars
  • Take part in several group activities
  • Class materials and equipment provided
  • Several meals included
  • Lodging provided in shared, one-room sleeping cabins
  • Bring your own bedding and personal items
  • No alcohol
  • No smoking
  • No pets
  • Cost: $200

Class Offerings

There are dozens of possible course offerings. A snapshot of classes offered include:

  • Archery
  • Fishing
  • Hunting and Trapping
  • Shooting Sports
  • Paddling
  • Conservation
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Backpacking, Camping, and Wilderness Survival

Online Registration

Register now for Becoming an Outdoors-Woman 2025! This workshop will be held September 12-14 at the Black Hills Retreat Center near Deadwood.

This is a highly sought workshop to attend, and we want to ensure the best outcome to meet our goals of connecting women to the outdoors through effective management through an application process. Registration will open early July and close midnight on July 20. Applications will be reviewed and applicants will be informed of status shortly after application deadline via email.

Contact Information

For more information contact: KayCee Smith at 605.394.3354 or via email. 

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Facebook Page

Pathways after BOW

Encouraging new participants with a willingness to continue outdoor recreation in a meaningful, committed manner is a priority of SD Becoming an Outdoors-Woman. The weekend will be considered a core competency course. Current and past participants will be encouraged to engage in future BOW-focused events around the state on semi-regular basis such as ice fishing, archery shoots, trapping, fly fishing, and various kinds of hunting. These kind of events around the state will serve to cultivate and continue the strong community of women that BOW is built around.