The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced registration is now under way for this winter’s “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” program, which is set for Feb. 21-23, 2020, in Marquette County.
This winter will mark the 19th annual winter BOW gathering for women, 18 and older, who are seeking an opportunity to improve their outdoor skills in a relaxed, noncompetitive atmosphere.
“Registration for this popular program always fills up fast, so don’t delay,” said Michelle Zellar, BOW program coordinator in Newberry. "We’ve had as many as 100 women attend the weekend’s activities in past years."
The BOW program is sponsored by the DNR and offers instruction in two dozen different types of indoor and outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, archery, winter camping and shelter building, ice fishing, fly tying, winter biking, wilderness first aid, wood burning, snowshoeing along with several new features, such as resource roadkill and apps in the outdoors.
Instructors provide basic and advanced teaching tailored to each participant's individual ability. The program also includes special evening programs during the weekend.
BOW participants stay and take their classes at the Bay Cliff Health Camp, a universally accessible facility overlooking Lake Superior, which is situated about 30 miles north of Marquette near Big Bay.
Participants will be housed in a dorm-style facility with amenities including a sauna and hiking trails, with access to northern hardwood forests and Lake Superior.
The $225 registration fee includes all food and lodging, as well as most equipment and supplies, except as noted in the registration materials. Scholarships are also available on a limited basis.
Class information, registration materials and scholarship applications are available online to print at Michigan.gov/BOW. Payment and registration materials should be sent to the address on the registration paperwork in Newberry.
For more information on the winter BOW program, contact Michelle Zellar at the DNR office in Newberry at 906-293-5131, ext. 4004, or by email at DNRBOW@Michigan.gov.
Contact: Michelle Zellar, 906-293-5131, ext. 4004 or John Pepin, 906-226-1352