Women join the great outdoors experience

Sally Barber | Cadillac News Above, Nancy Williams of Dyer, Ind. learns kayaking techniques during the DNR Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend at Kettunen Center in Tustin.

TUSTIN — Nancy Williams is planning to take up kayaking. Annette Hamann plans to go hunting this fall for the first time. And Margie Dunn will plant a backyard animal habitat.

These women, along with 30 others, gained new confidence and skills to participate in outdoor activities during a weekend workshop at Kettunen Center in Tustin.

Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend offered instructing in shooting, fishing, kayaking, crafting walking sticks, wilderness survival and more.

“They have more fun than they thought they would and some get really fired up about the classes,” said Lynn Marla BOW coordinator.

Through the program, women gain a hobby and the state gains an outdoor lover.

Participants come from all walks of life, according to Marla. They may be nurses, plumbers or secretaries. What they have in common is an adventurous spirit, she said.

BOW instructors are also women.

“There’s a sense of camaraderie,” Marla said. “It’s like — remembering how much fun a slumber party is — and they really become more self-sufficient.”

Natalie Davis of Missaukee Paddle Sports is a second-year volunteer instructor in kayaking.

“Some have experience, but don’t have the technical knowledge or confidence if they run into trouble,” she said.

“I teach technique and self-rescue. This helps build women’s confidence and they have an understanding of their options.”

Davis finds she gains something from the experience, too.

“As a livery owner, I deliver people and put them in boats but don’t get to paddle. This gives me the chance to paddle and meet some motivated women and to show them my philosophy about taking care of what (resources) we’ve got ,” she said. “If people use it, they’re less likely to abuse it.”

Some participants participate in a BOW weekend for building relationships. Cecelia Bidigare of Dayton, Ohio had her way paid by her sister-in-law as a birthday gift.

“We’re bonding,” Bidigare said.

Margie Dunn of Lansing came with her two daughters.

“I love it,” Dunn said. “I did backyard habitat and got ideas for planting in the shade.”

BOW was initiated in Michigan in 1994 for women 18 and older. Emphasis is on enjoying the social aspect of outdoor activities as well as skill-building.

This is the third event hosted by the Kettunen Center. BOW fall events take place throughout the Lower Peninsula and include a shooting skills workshop, a hunter safety course and pheasant hunting.

For more information, contact Lynn Marla at (517) 241-2225 or e-mail her at marlal@michigan.gov.

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