Becoming an Outdoors-Woman: Spring Mini

Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024 |

Location: Camp Beech Cliff

264 Beech Hill Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660

Cost to Participate: $75

About:

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a nationwide program that began in 1991, when it was first offered through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The program was created to provide a safe and comfortable non-competitive atmosphere for women to learn and build confidence hunting, fishing and other non consumptive outdoor skills, regardless of skill level and prior experience.

Participants will learn new or build on existing skills in topics such as fly fishing, fish ID, water ecology, wild game cooking, bird watching paddle, survival skills, learn to hunt, land navigation, forest ecology, natural history and wildlife tracking and nature awareness.

All workshop sessions will be provided in a warm and welcoming environment with knowledgeable and dedicated instructors.

Activities:

Reading the Forested Landscape with Tom Wessels

Led by renowned terrestrial ecologist Tom Wessels - professor emeritus and founder of the conservation biology master’s program at Antioch University New England - we will explore how to interpret a forest's history, including previous agricultural use, wind and wildfire disturbances, plus former logging histories, as well as how to date each of these events. We will also explore some of our tree's unique adaptations and interesting, coevolved interrelationships that occur within our woodlands. For over 50 years, Tom has studied forest, desert, arctic, and alpine ecosystems around the world, but he has made Mount Desert Island home in large part due to its epic geological story and natural and cultural histories. This workshop is inspired by the teaching in Wessels’ seminal book Reading the Forested Landscape. Full of wonderful signs and clues, with careful attention and specific knowledge the landscape reveals profound stories.

Bushcraft and Survival in the Maine Woods

Why just survive when you could thrive? Dive into the world of bushcraft with an introductory workshop tailored for those seeking to become more comfortable and confident in the outdoors. Perfect for beginners to experienced outdoors-women, this foundational course offers a gateway to outdoor adventure. Join Bushcraft Instructor and Registered Maine Guide Tessa Storey as we explore essential principles and techniques, from axe and knife use to setting up a tarp, tying knots, and building a fire in wet weather. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, gain practical experience and confidence in your ability to adapt and thrive in the Maine woods. Whether you're brand new to bushcraft or simply looking to refresh your skills, the Introduction to Basic Bushcraft Skills provides a welcoming environment for learning and exploration.

Learn to Hunt

Hunting is an exciting way to spend time in the woods while matching your skills with some of Maine’s sought-after species. Spring turkey hunting and fall deer hunting are a great introduction to the traditions held sacred in Maine and a way to learn about this important species in our ecosystem, while supporting Maine’s conservation goals. This workshop is a blend of hands-on demonstration and practice, led by Registered Maine Guide and experienced hunter, Carmen Bombeke.  Participants will learn scouting techniques, hunting tactics and equipment, personal safety, shot placement and basic game care.

Introduction to Wildlife Tracking and Field Ecology

Want to dive deeper into the rich and diverse wildlife and ecosystems of Maine? This is the session for you, join CyberTracker Conservation Certified Wildlife Tracker Amy Martinez Beal as she takes you through the techniques of wildlife tracking and increases your awareness of the natural world and ecology around you. Myriad animals make their homes, hunt, feed, breed and raise young in the landscapes we also call home. In this session, we'll explore the lands surrounding Camp Beech Cliff with the intention of discovering tracks (footprints) and signs (scat, pellets, scent marks, etc.) left behind as clues to who else is spending time on the nearby land. We'll utilize helpful resources - field guides, journals, sketch pads, nature museum artifacts - to practice both systematic and intuitive approaches to wildlife tracking.

Land Navigation - Map and Compass

GPS use is on the rise, but basic map and compass skills are the key to navigation in the back-country. Learn how to read topographic maps and put a compass to use. Orient a map, set a bearing, and set a course, and soon you’ll find out how much fun it is! We’ll cover triangulation, declination compensation, and route planning.

From Field to Fork: Wild Game Cooking

There’s a growing number of folks returning to wild game meat for healthy, sustainable food. Plus, wild game is delicious! Explore new ways to prepare wild game meat outside the kitchen using recipes that are easy to follow and do at home. In this class, we will teach you the art of outdoor cooking. We will introduce cooking directly in the coals with Dutch ovens, and camp stoves with cast iron skillets. Providing for yourself is very rewarding and the skill isn’t quite as hard as it may seem; with the right direction from our experienced instructors, you’ll leave with recipes and new ideas and a deeper connection to where your food comes from. Game meat may vary depending on what we can obtain.

Introduction to Fly Fishing & Casting Techniques

With over 6000 lakes and ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, Maine has a lot of water to explore! What better way to do so than fly fishing?! Participants will receive an introduction to fly fishing in Maine, the gear needed to get started and the techniques to get you casting on the water! Wading along Maine’s rivers and streams is one of the best ways to see the untouched beauty of the outdoors and see some incredible wildlife along the way. Participants do not need a fishing license for this workshop as we will focus on gear and techniques and no actual fishing is involved. 

Introduction to Wildlife Identification and Foraging

Maine is home to immense plant and wildlife diversity, and the chances of seeing some of these beautiful examples is high on Mount Desert Island! In this session you will learn wildlife identification, edible plant identification, and foraging skills. In Maine, and anywhere you call home, you are surrounded by wildlife whether you realize it or not. Beaver or Muskrat? Wood Frog or Spring Peeper? Downy or Hairy Woodpecker? Led by Camp Beech Cliff’s Head of Nature Programs Molly Stewart, this workshop will launch you down the path toward familiarity with Maine's wildlife. You will learn how to identify and use the multitude of edible plants found in your own backyard and beyond. Knowing what is safe for human consumption can be a wonderful way to supplement your natural diet or perhaps one day might save your life in a survival situation. This workshop will provide some basic recipes as well as expose you to general foraging ethics and legal considerations, and rules and regulations for the Mount Desert Island area.