Department of Parks
Becoming An Outdoors Woman Program Offered At Kentucky State Parks

Pineville, Ky. – A three-day program that introduces women to the outdoors will be held Nov. 9-11 at Pine Mountain State Resort Park near Pineville.

The “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” program is co-sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky Department of Parks. The program will be offered at other parks next year.

The program will include a guided elk-viewing tour, sessions on fly tying, fishing, archery skills, hunting, firearm safety, hiking and seasonal outdoor crafts.  

“This partnership between Kentucky State Parks and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is providing some unprecedented opportunities for women, especially, to learn more about the outdoors, and get a chance to experience these activities in the backdrop setting of a state resort park,” said Beth Spivey-Minch, Kentucky’s volunteer BOW program coordinator.

She said women are sometimes reluctant to try activities related to the outdoors because activities such as fishing, archery, target shooting or hunting are often viewed as male-oriented recreation. Sometimes, women simply don’t get a chance to see what these activities are about in an environment that assists them in learning how. 

The BOW workshops are designed for women to “get their feet wet” with professional instruction from a teacher whose goal is to make sure the participant has fun, and comes away with confidence in their new skills.

“We’re glad to be able to offer state parks as a setting for these sessions,” Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller said. “With our system of lodges, cottages, hiking trails and other recreational activities, as well as an expert staff, we have a perfect setting for the BOW program.”

Miller also said the BOW program is an excellent way for women to learn about nature so they can enjoy it and experience it with their families.

Pre-registration is required and now underway through Oct. 29. The workshop fee of $175 includes six meals and lodging for two nights, general sessions, materials and transportation to and from workshop class sites. You may register with a credit card, or get a form by calling toll-free 1-800-858-1549 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Forms are also on the internet at fw.ky.gov. The workshop begins with check-in at noon Friday, Nov. 9. It will conclude at noon Sunday, Nov. 11. 

Future workshops are also planned this winter and spring at Kenlake (Jan. 11-13), Cumberland Falls (Feb 22-24), Carter Caves (April 4-6) and Rough River Dam (April 25-27).

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov