JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Ladies, have you wanted to explore the great outdoors but didn’t know where to begin? Join the team at Sam A. Baker State Park and experience outdoor adventure taught by female instructors. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, women will be able to learn new outdoor skills or improve their techniques in a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere.
This event is part of the new Women in Nature (WIN) program, held at state parks throughout the state. The WIN program encourages girls and women to participate in activities they may not have the opportunity to otherwise. All programs and classes are created for women and taught by women, and provide the opportunity to learn by doing.
Participants must be at least 10 years old and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is available at the beach and the program will take place at the Water Trail trailhead.
WIN is an active, outdoor event. Participants may walk on surfaces containing roots, embedded rocks and minimal elevation change. To help participants anticipate each course and know what physical levels to expect, a physical rating system follows.
- Low: Requires minimal physical skill/endurance (ex., lecture-based and hands-on activities in a classroom setting).
- Moderate: Requires moderate physical skill/endurance (ex., short walks; lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing).
- High: Requires high levels of skill/endurance (ex., hiking; lifting; full-body movement; lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing).
Classes and their level of physical activity follow:
- Archery/Atlatl (moderate) – Archery is a time-honored sport that is growing in popularity. It’s not only good fun, but also good exercise and now you can learn how it’s done. Participants will also get the opportunity to throw an historic hunting weapon, the atlatl. This course covers safety, ethics, techniques and equipment selection. After some instruction, participants will have adequate time to practice what they learn.
- Campfire Cooking (low) – Learn campfire cooking techniques for your next outdoor adventure! Participants will learn how to cook over a campfire and all about Dutch-oven cooking. Food will be provided for participants to prepare and samples will be available.
- Nature Journaling (low) – Documenting what you discover and experience in nature using lists, drawings and photos is a great way to help make your time outdoors more memorable. The focus of this activity will be on learning how to document and photograph the cool things you can find out in nature! Journals, pencils, colored pencils and instant-print cameras will be provided for this session.
- Chain Making (low) – Learn loop-in-loop chain making, a jewelry-making technique that has been employed for more than 5,000 years. Learn the history of different styles of chain, then try your hand at making one yourself! Participants will be provided materials and instruction, and will be able to take their chains home with them at the end of the session.
Cost to participate is $10 per person and preregistration can be completed by visiting icampmo.com and searching “WIN.” There is a maximum of 40 participants. All refunds and cancellations must be made by phone at 573-751-1643 or by emailing Taylor Ratcliff at taylor.ratcliff@dnr.mo.gov.
Sam A. Baker State Park is located at 5580 State Highway 143 in Patterson.