Event registration is full. Email Sara Green to be added to the notification list for details on next year’s event.
Materials for registered participants:
2019 Confirmation letter (including what to bring for specific classes)
BUY RAFFLE TICKETS HERE & help raise money for SC’s wildlife!
Women's Outdoor Retreat Cancellation Policy & Liability Release
Downloadable Release Form (only needed from volunteers)
Downloadable Evaluation Form
The Women’s Outdoor Retreat is a weekend event designed for women to experience nature and outdoor recreation with like-minded ladies in a non-competitive environment. Nature walks, kayaking, fishing, outdoor cooking, and archery are just a few of the nearly 30 classes from which to choose.
The Retreat is presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and sponsored by Cabela’s and Hickory Knob State Resort Park. We are pleased to have the support of several outfitters and organizations including the SC Department of Natural Resources, Earth Connection Outfitters, Angling Women, Berkeley County Blueways, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, SASS (Surviving Assault Standing Strong), and Savannah Lakes Village. These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors. A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donate their time to share their knowledge and expertise.
LOCATION: Headquarters is Hickory Knob State Resort Park - 1591 Resort Drive, McCormick, SC. The park is located about 2 hours west of Columbia, SC. The closest airport is located in Augusta, GA.
AGE GUIDELINES: Open to females age 16 and older (no maximum age). Girls ages 16-18 must be accompanied by responsible adult – no supervision will be provided.
DATES/TIMES: The Retreat will open for check-in at 11:30 am on Friday. The first class begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, and the last class concludes at noon on Sunday.
COST: The registration fee is $110 per person. Fees may vary each year due to event costs. Meals and lodging are separate (see below). Retreat t-shirts are available with registration or at the event for $10 each.
EVENT REGISTRATION REFUNDS: 90% of registration, t-shirt & meal plan fees will be refunded when requested in writing or by email on or before September 10th. 50% of registration fees will be refunded if requested between September 11-26th. Lodging cancellations must be made through Hickory Knob, and their refund policy is different.
MEALS: Hickory Knob has a full-service restaurant serving three meals each day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets are available, as well as a full menu of options. Lighter options include a soup and salad bar for lunch or dinner.
You may choose to purchase our Retreat Meal Plan for $72 per person, which will allow you to avoid standing in the cashier’s line after each meal. The meal plan covers the hot buffet & salad bar, drink & gratuity for each included meal - plan includes all of these meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. The meal plan is only available in advance, and no partial meal plans will be sold. After June 30th, meal plan price increases to $80.
A special effort has been made to ensure that the meals are affordable and meet the dietary needs of everyone attending the retreat, including those preferring a vegetarian meal. The cabins have fully-equipped kitchens, but hotel rooms have no cooking facilities. Grills are not allowed in rooms.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS: Hickory Knob’s accommodations include motel rooms and cabins. Camping is also available. You are encouraged to stay at the park in order to enjoy the full experience and the camaraderie of the other participants.
Lodging reservations do not reserve you a spot in the Retreat, or vice versa. Park lodging fills up quickly, and is not available for reservation until June 12, 2019.
Lodging Rates for 2019 are as follows:
Hotel Room - $75.00 per night plus tax. Includes 2 double beds and private bathroom, sleeps up to 4 people. All rooms have satellite TV, coffee pot (coffee provided each day) and phone; some rooms also include small fridge, microwave, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.
Cabin - $106.00 per night plus tax. Includes kitchen with refrigerator and stove/oven, living room with sofa (they are no longer sleepers) and bedroom with 2 double beds, private bath. Also includes 2 satellite TVs, coffee pot (bring coffee – they will have some in there) and phone. If you plan on cooking, you might want to bring your own cookware, etc. They have a fry pan and a pot, basic plates, bowls etc. They do not provide sharp knives.
Campsites in park campground - 44 sites rent for $24 per night. Nightly rates vary and are subject to change. The campground is convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers. All sites accommodate RVs up to 30 feet, 21 of which are waterfront. Tent camping is also permitted. *please note that campground is approx. 2 miles from event headquarters & meeting rooms*
Alternate Lodging Options:
Cullars Inn, Lincolnton, GA - (706) 359-6161 - http://www.thecullarsinn.com/
Elijah Clark State Park - 800-864-7275 - http://www.gastateparks.org/ElijahClark