DNR announces Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman events

One-day workshops help women experience outdoor recreation and education

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Becoming an Outdoors Woman program will offer three Beyond BOW events this winter at various venues in Marquette County.

The BOW program gives women, 18 and older, an opportunity to improve their outdoors skills in a relaxed, noncompetitive atmosphere.

In addition to being fun to participate in, many of the BOW and Beyond BOW classes offer important outdoor skills, safety and tips on appropriate outdoor clothing attire.

Please take the BOW Participation Survey to provide important information that will help shape future BOW gatherings. The survey will close Dec. 2.

Here is a list of the upcoming Beyond BOW events:

• Sunday, Dec. 12, 12-5 p.m. EST, Introduction to Indoor Wall Climbing, Northern Michigan University, Marquette MI 49855. Participants will meet at the Northern Michigan University Climbing Wall located in the Physical Education and Instructional Facility (PEIF) in Marquette. The class will consist of three sections. In the first part of class, we will learn about safety and gear, then conquer our first ascent on the climbing wall. Depending on the remaining time, we may offer the next two sections consecutively or concurrently so that participants can choose their own adventure and spend the most time focusing on whatever piques their interest. Gear: All climbing specific gear will be provided. All participants will be fitted with climbing shoes and a harness. If learning to belay, a belay device will also be provided. If participants have their own climbing gear, they are welcome to bring it.
• Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at 6:20 EST, Sugarloaf Sunrise Snowshoe, Marquette, MI 49855. Participants will meet at the trailhead about 5 miles north of Marquette (must have a Recreation Passport or Michigan State Day Pass to park). Location details will be made available to participants after registration. We will snowshoe from the trailhead to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Once on top, leaders will boil water and provide options for coffee, tea or other hot drinks. If participants plan to have a hot drink, please remember to pack an insulated mug. Sunrise for that day is 7:46 a.m. After the sun rises, we will snowshoe back to the trailhead, following the same route. Mileage/Terrain/Activity Level: The roundtrip snowshoe hike is approximately 3 miles with an elevation gain of over 400’ during the first 1.5 miles. If there is recent snow, the trail might not be broken which will increase the difficulty level. Please consider this snowshoe hike to be strenuous. Required Items: Snowshoes and boots, clothing and outerwear appropriate for snowy, cold conditions (no cotton). If you don’t own snowshoes, they can be rented from outfitters in most communities. Optional Items: Insulated mug for hot beverage.
• Sunday, March 20, 2022. 4:30-6:30 p.m. EST, Marquette MI, 49855. Do-It-Yourself Trail Snacks. In this class, participants can expect to enjoy at least three homemade trail snacks, including some of the instructor's favorite goodies to bring into the woods or out on the water. Expect this to be a hands-on class and to go home with a goodie bag of fresh trail snacks and recipes to use again in the future. Health Procedures: We will follow all state and local guidelines, as well as the guidelines at the venue, as they pertain to COVID-19. Updates will be emailed to participants as the event gets closer. Required Items: bring your own to-go containers to bring home the extra, tasty treats from class.

Registration materials for the Beyond BOW workshops are available at Michigan.gov/BOW closer to these events.

The traditional Winter BOW weekend workshop will be held at the Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, Feb. 25-27, 2022.

Registration materials for the winter event are also available at the website. Those signed-up for BOW email notifications will receive an email when event details and registration materials are available on the DNR website.

To keep up with the latest on BOW, sign-up for email notifications at Michigan.gov/BOW. You can also follow BOW on Facebook or Instagram.

For questions, contact BOW coordinator Michelle Zellar at dnrbow@michigan.gov or 906-293-5131 ext. 4004.