As the sun beat down mid morning at Touch of Nature in Makanda, five strangers gathered around Donut Pond. While grasping a fly fishing rod, each cast their bait into the water. Despite the occasional weeds reeled in, the anglers came ready and continued searching for a bite. Guided by an instructor, each woman paused and listened intently, working to perfect their casting techniques. 

At this year’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, women escaped their daily lives and unplugged. On Sept. 12-14, 80 women delved into various workshops. These workshops were designed with the intent to educate BOW attendees on a wide array of wilderness skills. Backing a trailer, orienteering, frog gigging and gun handling were among the many learning opportunities offered.  

Originating in 1991 in Wisconsin, BOW now takes place in 38 states across the country including six Canadian provinces. The widely popular weekend was created by Christine Thomas, the dean of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

“A lot of the learning classes that were there, were either co-ed or just for men or men were participating,” event coordinator Lisa Demeule said.“There was just not an environment that felt safe and supportive and non intimidating to be around a bunch of guys that have been hunting their whole life or whose dads have been hunting their whole life. From there I mean it blew up around the country.”

Although gun handling was safety oriented, instructor Chris Flemming kept the atmosphere lighthearted. Flemming served in the Marine Corps and took two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He explained that the teaching is the most satisfying when the women enter with hesitation but walk away smiling and feeling comfortable. 

The three-day program was designed to give women a safe space where they could freely learn outdoor skills, supported by encouragement and a team of experts instructing each session carefully. 

“The handgun and rifle workshops were the main reason I signed up because I just wanted the chance to gain knowledge and experience in a trustworthy environment… not because someone wanted to convince me of something or sell me a gun or anything like that, it was just purely to learn,” Margie Cook, a first-time participant who traveled from the Chicago area, said.

The women of BOW learned all weekend long. More notably, they supported one another. 

Instructor Lesley Tennessen has taught courses for 12 years. 

“I got all this up here,” she said as she referenced her head. “I need to make sure it’s out before I go and this is one way to give.” Tennessen, who teaches courses on outdoor cooking, said. Women learned baking in a cast iron pan, and utilized box ovens and propane stoves. 

“Life becomes very mundane and very just structured, especially if you’re a younger mom or a single mom. This allows you to come here and just be yourself. By being yourself, you let your creative juices just flow and grow up a little bit,” Tennessen said. 

During meal breaks, women would discuss which session they would be attending, coming back with loads to share during lunch and dinner. Rock climbers were encouraged by Touch of Nature staff and other participating climbers. As every woman scaled the bluffs on Devils Standtable at Giant City State Park, cheers rang into the air after they made their small but celebratory feats of reaching higher elevation.

Brittany Schwien, a returning participant, was a climber. At first she couldn’t reach the top of the bluff, until she watched other women take their turn. After receiving words of encouragement, she reached the top of the bluff, called Scout. From the ground, staff and climbers cheered and applauded at her accomplishment. 

“I’m scared of heights so it’s crazy realizing what you can actually do if you put your mind to it. Even with the fears that you have, so it’s incredible,” Schwien said.“I wanted to leave Friday night because of my anxiety but I stayed and I’m so glad I did, because I wouldn’t have done this.” 

Oftentimes, barriers to entering the outdoor male-dominated world comes with a set of challenges. 

“I think what you really take out of this is, ‘I have friends and I can do things and I can do them, I can go seek these things.’ They’re not just men-only things. Because we tend to think of shooting, power tools, trailering, those are all men things. Even fishing; men things. These are not just men things,” Tennessen said.

“Everyone’s got their own story. I’m a single mom myself, so usually that’s what hinders most of my decision making for what I want to do. It could be your job, it could be your finances, it could be literally anything. So I think this program in particular is really powerful because those skills are offered to the women here, but beyond that there’s a real sense of community here,” Demeule said.

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