Women's Outdoor Retreat 2012
Thursday, 07 April 2011 13:09
The annual Women’s Outdoor Retreat is a multi-faceted opportunity to challenge the “woman within you.” Nature hikes, kayaking, birding, canoeing, fishing, and many more outdoor adventures can be enjoyed in the company of like-minded ladies in a non-competitive environment.
The 2012 Women's Outdoor Retreat is scheduled for September 21-23, 2012 at Hickory Knob State Resort Park. The only full-service resort in the S.C. State Park Service, Hickory Knob rests on rolling, wooded shoreline alongside 70,000-acre Strom Thurmond Reservoir on the Savannah River.
Registration forms will be ready in early summer. The registration fee of $85 per person enables you to select up to eight classes plus attend several evening programs.
You can go ahead and make your lodging arrangements for September 21-23 by calling the park at: 1-800-491-1764 and telling them you're with the Women's Outdoor Recreation Retreat.
Lodging Rates are as follows:
Hotel Room - $79.70 or $85.10* per night, includes 2 double beds and private bathroom. All rooms have satellite TV, coffee pot (coffee provided each day) and phone; *higher priced rooms also include small fridge, microwave, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.
Cabin - $103.46 per night, includes kitchen with refrigerator and stove/oven, living room with sleeper sofa, and bedroom with 2 double beds, private bath. Also includes 2 satellite TVs, coffee pot (bring your own coffee) and phone.
Campsites in park campground - $18.00 per night, electricity & water at each site. The campground is convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers. All sites accommodate RV's up to 30 feet, 21 of which are waterfront. Tent camping is also permitted.
Registration forms will be posted HERE when available!
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WOR Story featured in the 2012 Palmetto Wild Magazine:
The Great Outdoors: Where Women (Can) Rule
By Gail Crouch
By Gail Crouch
“This was my first year attending, and I had a wonderful time! I was able to attempt things that I have always wanted to try, and things that I would never have tried otherwise.” – Lyn Ragan
That, in a nutshell, is the chief reason more than 150 women attend the annual Women’s Outdoor Recreation Retreat, sponsored by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF). The weekend event allows participants to sign up for classes ranging from archery, kayaking and fly fishing, to geocacheing and knot tying – activities that many women wouldn’t otherwise experience.
The weekend event draws women of all ages, shapes, and sizes―some, experienced outdoorswomen, and some, complete novices.
“All of us, from the girly girls to the tomboys, can enjoy and learn from this weekend,” said participant Wendy Wilson.
Some come with mothers and daughters, some with friends. Most participants come from across South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, but others have traveled from as far away as New York and Texas.
All come together to have a good time.
“I had an excellent time at the retreat – the classes were fun, people were friendly, and it was nice to get outside and enjoy all the recreation opportunities the outdoors provides,” said Jes Sdao.
A dedicated group of volunteer organizers and expert instructors make the event possible each year and help keep the event very affordable. New classes and field trips are added each year, which allows returning ladies to have a fresh and exciting experience each time. Beyond the classes are meals with friends, morning yoga, evening paddles, and music by the campfire.
"The Women’s Outdoor Retreat offers women the chance to meet others with similar interests and gain skills to better enjoy the outdoors,” said Sara Green, SCWF Director of Education. “What is most rewarding is to see the spirit of empowerment and encouragement – the women cheering each other on as they accomplish a new challenge. That’s what keeps us [the organizers] coming back!”
Some participants take new skills and put them into practice in their everyday lives. “I learned a lot of very useful things in this class that I am already putting to use,” said Libby Steadman about the Edible & Medicinal Plants class.
Cherrie Longshore, who took the Fly Fishing class this year, plans to share her newfound skills with family. “It was great to learn something very unfamiliar to me and new to our normal fishing opportunities.”
Word of mouth has made the Women’s Outdoor Recreation Retreat a popular event, and many women return year after year. “I had a great time at my first WOR,” said Mary Denis Cauthen. “I’ll be back with friends next time.”
Editor’s Note: Our guest writer Gail Crouch has participated in more than 15 of the annual outdoor retreats, during which she developed a love for kayaking. She became the proud owner of a 10-foot, lime-green Perception Tribute this year, her second kayak.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 May 2012 04:45 )
