DNREC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an educational program offering hands-on workshops to encourage and enhance participation in outdoor activities like hunting and shooting sports, fishing and boating, and non-harvest activities.

The 2025 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program was held at Lums Pond State Park on the first weekend of October (Oct. 3 through 5).

Programs offered included learning about foraging for wild food and using native plants, fishing, learning about survival in the wild, a guided bug walk, sharpening outdoor cooking skills, forest bathing, archery and firearms, fowling, rock climbing, photography, kayaking and more.

Find the full schedule and information about the programs.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman in 2026

The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program will return in the fall of 2026. Information about, when and where, and how to register, will be posted here in 2026.

If you have questions about the program or want to be added to the contact list to stay updated via email, please send an email to patrick.ruhl@delaware.gov or call 302-422-1329.

History of the Program

Since the first Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event was held in Wisconsin, in 1991, this exciting international program has expanded to 46 states and seven provinces with more than 80 workshops offered each year.

The main goal of the BOW program is to provide women with the opportunity to learn skills that encourage and enhance participation in outdoor activities, like hunting and shooting sports, fishing and boating, and non-harvest recreational activities.

Courses are geared toward adult women aged 18 and older, though men may participate.

The yearly BOW event features opportunities for participants to choose from a wide range of course offerings during each of the sessions. The instructors of these courses have been selected for their expertise as well as their ability to provide instruction in a safe, supportive, and non-competitive atmosphere.

Past Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Events

The 2024 event was held at Killens Pond State Park.

The 2023 event, set for Delaware Seashore State Park, was canceled due to inclement weather.

The 2022 event was held at Camp Barnes, Oct. 7 through 9.

The 2021 event was a COVID-safe, one-day event at Trap Pond State Park on Aug. 21.

The 2020 event was not held because of the COVID outbreak.

The 2019 event was held at Lums Pond State Park, Sept. 20 through 22.

The 2018 event was held at Cape Henlopen State Park, Sept. 28 through 30.

The 2017 event was held at Killens Pond State Park, Oct. 6 through 8.

Related Topics:  dfw, education, fish and wildlife, hunter education, hunting, outdoors, outdoors and recreation, woman