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. 

2012 Registration forms are not yet available, but will be posted on this site by early summer.

You can go ahead and make your lodging arrangements - please call Hickory Knob directly at: 1-800-491-1764 to reserve your room or cabin.  Be sure to tell them you are with the Women’s Outdoor Retreat.

The Retreat is sponsored by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. We are pleased to have the support of several outfitters and organizations - in 2011, these partners included the Little River Blueways, SC Department of Natural Resources, Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Palmetto Living History Association, Lake Thurmond Sail & Power Squadron, and Adventure Carolina.  These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors.  All equipment and supplies are provided for your convenience. 

A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donated their time to share their knowledge and expertise.

2011 Instructors:
Archery - Sam & Kitty Stewart
Bank & Dock Fishing - Bernie Clegg
Birding - Kristina Wheeler
Camping - Sandy Rankin
Canoeing - Rock Garick
Civil War History - Jerry Morris, Neill Rose, Jim Ridge
Edible & Medicinal Plants - Joe Grange
Geocaching - Michele Van Patten
Kayaking - Chris Hall
Knot Tying - Joe Grange
Kudzu Basketry - Jimmie Dinkins
Little River Kayak Trip - Kirk Smith, Archie Thompson, Valerie Carter-Stone
Map & Compass Reading - Penny Ginn
Mountain Biking - Rachael Bronson
Nature Photography - Lynne Branham
Nature Spa - Beth Rivers & Ingrid Ernest
Outdoor Cooking - Sandy Rankin
Sailing - Chuck Bell
Self Defense - Brice Gill
Skeet Shooting - Ed Prater & Hubert Cox
Tennis - Howard Green
Walk on the Wild Side - Kristina Wheeler
Wilderness First Aid - Mary Crockett
Yoga - Marilyn Schulman

Friday evening special program - Carol & Larry Eldridge, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

Staff & Volunteers:
Dan Turpin
Sara Green
Sara Hummel Rajca
Jenny Lyon
Ileen Grange
Alice Clegg
Brenda Lee Bass
Melisa Emkjer
Katherine Wilson

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES FROM THE 2011 WOMEN'S OUTDOOR RECREATION RETREAT!

WOR Story featured in the 2012 Palmetto Wild Magazine:

The Great Outdoors: Where Women (Can) Rule
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.