Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat 2026

REGISTRATION IS FULL

To join the wait list, please click on the button below.

We are thrilled to offer this year’s POWR (Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat) at Hickory Knob State Park this year! This event is designed for women to experience nature and outdoor recreation with like-minded ladies in a non-competitive environment.

Archery, nature hikes, kayaking, and fishing are just a few of the 20 classes to choose from. Participants will have the opportunity to select up to 8 classes and be introduced to many outdoor activities.

LOCATION: POWR will be held at Hickory Knob State Park and resort. (1591 Resort Drive, McCormick, SC 29835)

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.

Cost: $175, which includes the retreat classes and a t-shirt. *Optional meal plan: $115. Lodging arrangements must be made separately.
*Meal plan includes pre-payment for Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. If you don’t choose the meal plan, you may eat at the restaurant for whichever meals you choose, and will need to pay the cashier after each meal.

DATES/TIMES: October 23rd-25th, 2026. POWR will open for check-in at 11:00 am on Friday. The first class begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, and the last class concludes Sunday at noon.

TENTATIVE CLASS LIST:

Archery
Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Birding
Boating And Trailering
Eco-Hiking
Fish Cleaning & Cooking
Freshwater Fishing
Intro To Deer Hunting
Kayaking Intro
Lake Thurmond Paddle
Low Ropes
Map & Compass Reading
Nature Crafts
Nature Spa
Pine Needle Basketry
Self Defense
Skeet Shooting
Yoga

REGISTRATION PROCESS: Registration button is below, and is opening on June 24th at 12pm! Each participant must register separately. After registration, participants will receive a unique code to reserve their room at Hickory Knob State Park and Resort. Campsites are also available. A separate class selection email will be sent out at a later date to all registered participants.

EVENT REGISTRATION REFUNDS: 90% of registration, t-shirt & meal plan fees will be refunded when requested in writing or by email on or before October 11th. 50% of registration fees will be refunded if requested after that date.

Thank you to our partners and sponsors!

The Retreat is presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, Comporium, SC Department of Natural Resources, Fish America Foundation, Zman, Barron’s Outfitters, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the BassPro/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. 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.

Palmetto Pro Birders: Lake Murray Paddle

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Join Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, for a Pro Birder paddle at a beautiful, secluded cove on the northwest side of Lake Murray. We will kayak under a bridge that is home to hundreds of breeding cliff swallows and will get a great look at their clay nests built directly onto the bridge. It’s one of Jay’s favorite things to see on any of our trips!

On this trip, Jay will focus his efforts on a section of the creek that is below a canopy of river birch, tulip poplars, and Carolina willows. The shade will help us stay comfortable, and being among the trees will place us directly in the breeding habitat of some of the neotropical migrants that call South Carolina home during the summer months.

We will be on the lookout for species such as the belted kingfisher, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-billed cuckoo, and Kentucky warbler. On the fall paddle, we even saw a clapper rail at this location!

This paddle is limited to six guests, so register early to secure your spot.

Where: Prosperity (Crayne’s Landing)

When: Monday, June 11th at 7 am (Rain Date – June 12th.)

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. This training will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total).

Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 95 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 160 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF’s mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.

Other Important Notes:

• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.

• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Cost: The cost is $100.00 per person and limited to the first 6 people that register.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape for this paddle.

Featured Image Credit: Red-headed woodpecker by Amanda Johnson.

Banner Image Credit: Sad Shad by Brian Fox.

Carolina Bay Workshop

This one-day class will focus on Carolina Bays, unique anomalies present in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. These odd depressions in the landscape have puzzled naturalists for many decades. They host an important and unique ecology because of their hydrology. While isolated from any tributaries, bays often hold water in winter and spring, then drying by mid-summer. Many plants and animals have come to specialize in these conditions. Savage Bay presents a unique opportunity for observation because of its accessibility and the beautiful pond cypress savanna within.

The trail to the bay will take us through a Sandhills scrub oak forest. We’ll explore Sandhills plants including the four scrub oaks. TLC had a song about scrubs, you know. They didn’t “want no scrub,” but I love scrubs, so we’re going to talk about them. Other common plants are poison oak, persimmon, and sandhills hawthorn. With any luck, a few fall wildflowers will still be blooming.

Before entering the bay, we’ll discuss various hypotheses for the formation of these features before narrowing down the explanations to the one currently most supported by scientific evidence. I’ll hold you in suspense until then. I will also explain the ecological importance of Carolina bays, with examples from the scientific literature and a discussion of their current level of protection.

Along the bay border, we will explore a pocosin plant community, host to species such as redbay, sweetbay, fetterbush, titi, and gallberry. The middle of the bay opens up into a picturesque plant community known as the pond cypress savanna. In addition to the pond cypress and water tupelo, we’ll see honeycup (Zenobia) and pondspice (Litsea), a rare shrub in South Carolina.

While the Sandhills grow more silent in the fall, animals will also be addressed, especially those unique to this ecoregion. Bird species associated with these Sandhills include brown-headed nuthatches, chipping sparrows, and pine warblers.

We’ll travel around the block to Goodale State Park for a late lunch, some prize giveaways, and a walk by the water before our day concludes.

This training will begin at Savage Bay Heritage Preserve. We will email more specific directions before the trip. In the meantime, more information about the site can be found here: Savage Bay Heritage Preserve.

When: Tentative date is Wednesday, June 17, 2026; We will start at 9 AM. The day will conclude between 2 and 3 PM.

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. Participants will receive city info of other participants to encourage carpooling.

This class will be taught by Austin Jenkins, who teaches and facilitates the popular Midlands Master Naturalist class for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Jenkins teaches Natural History of South Carolina at USC Sumter.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. Savage Bay has relatively flat terrain, but we may cover some distance. Savage Bay does not have trails, so we will be walking through vegetation and on uneven ground. You should be prepared to possibly encounter briars, mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. Poison ivy is present in the bay.

Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person.

To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited to 15 participants. Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with lodging recommendations, directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.

Other Important Notes:

• If available, bring binoculars.
• Restrooms are not available at Savage Bay Heritage Preserve. It is best to leave early enough to stop at a restroom before 9 AM. Otherwise, the woods are available. There are restrooms at Goodale State Park.

• Participants should bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field.

• There is no rain date for this event. I will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If the weather or conditions necessitate cancellation, I will notify you and refund your money.

• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify me.

• The bay is typically dry this time of year, but the soil could be mucky in some parts of it.

Day of the Dragon

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Join us for an investigation into the exciting natural history of dragonflies and damselflies! These majestic creatures grace our waters on the wing throughout the summer in South Carolina, where we boast over a hundred species that come in all shapes, sizes, and incredible colors.

Goodale State Park, in the heart of the South Carolina Sandhills, is bursting with a bountiful regiment of these regal creatures. During our day, we’ll analyze each part of the dragonfly, from the eyes to legs to the wings to the tail, investigating the related biology of each aspect. We’ll mosey down to the aquatic habitats the dragons call home. This includes a large millpond that hosts a large number of skimmers, pennants, and pond damsels. We’ll also investigate the backwoods, where the running water gives rise to a completely different assemblage of dragons and damsels, to include jewelwings, rubyspots, and several dancer species.

In addition to surveying the sky, we’ll use the dip nets to capture larval dragonflies and damselflies, examining their differences and underwater lifestyles along with the associated biota with which they coexist. Dragonfly life also demands diverse aquatic vegetation, and we’ll discuss several of these plant species and the important strata they form upon the water.

By the end of the day, you’ll be able to:
1. Discuss the connections between form and function of dragonfly anatomy
2. Successfully identify several species of dragonflies and damselflies
3. Understand the variety of ecological requirements needed to support dragonfly life
4. Predict species assemblages associated with particular aquatic habitats

Where: This training will take place at Goodale State Park just outside of Camden, South Carolina. Meet at Picnic Shelter 1. Enter the park and just keep driving. Go past the community building, past the ranger station, and around the bend where dragonflies dwell. The website, which includes directions, can be found by clicking here.

When: Wednesday, June 10. We will meet at 9:00 AM. The day will conclude sometime around 2:00 PM.

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. For SC Master Naturalists who have not taken a dragonfly course, this event can count as Advanced Training (4.5 training hours) and towards your statewide certification if you need a Sandhills component. If you are not a Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. Participants will also receive contact info of other participants to allow for carpooling to the park.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. We will be outdoors during the whole class, and it may be HOT. In addition, we will be on our feet most of the day.

Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person.

To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited to 20 participants. Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with lodging recommendations, directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.

Other Important Notes:

Restrooms are available at the park.

Participants should bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field.
There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If we can’t make it happen due to weather or some other situation, we will refund your money.

After registering you will receive important correspondence via email – if you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

If available, please bring binoculars and a hand lens. If you have a dragonfly book, bring it, but this is not required or necessary. Otherwise, we will have several copies of field guides so that you can choose one for future studies. Feel free to bring an insect net if you have one. Otherwise, we will have some available.

SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.

Featured Image Credit: Amanda’s Pennant by Allison Bugarin.

Banner Image: Eastern Pond Hawk by Allison Bugarin.

Field Herpetology

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Spend a day in the field discovering what it means to be a herpetologist! This hands-on program focuses on reptiles and amphibians—some of the most fascinating and elusive species in our region. Both groups play key roles in ecosystem health and serve as excellent environmental indicators. During the day, you’ll learn about field methods researchers use to monitor these species and gain experience applying techniques such as aquatic trapping and coverboard surveys. Along the way, we’ll encounter the incredible diversity that defines our local herpetofauna.

The workshop takes place at Salleyland, a private property owned by the Gibbons Family. The site features a rich mix of habitats, from flowing blackwater creeks to managed upland pine forests. The Gibbons Family generously opens the property to environmental groups and educational programs as part of an ongoing effort to document the species found there. All species observations from this course will contribute to that inventory.

Be prepared for a true field experience—expect hot, muddy conditions and several hours of walking (approximately 2+ miles) through varied terrain. Long pants and knee-high boots or shoes that can get muddy are required. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and consider packing a change of clothes. We’ll wrap up the morning with a group lunch and discussion of our findings. Please pack your own lunch if you plan to join for this portion of the day.

Instructor: This class will be led by Jake Zadik, a naturalist and biologist based in the South Carolina Lowcountry with a lifelong passion for herpetology. Jake collaborates with local communities to provide natural history programs, conduct field research, and offer guidance on land and habitat management. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with the region’s diverse reptile and amphibian species—as well as many other taxa—with current projects focusing on Copperheads and Diamondback Terrapins.

Jake is an active instructor with the Charleston Master Naturalist Program, where he leads the herpetology portion of the course. In 2018, he co-founded the South Carolina Herpetological Society—an effort that has since grown into South Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SCPARC), where he continues to serve as co-chair.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. We will be outdoors during the whole class, and it may be hot. In addition, we will be on our feet most of the day.

Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person.

To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited to 12 participants. Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with lodging recommendations, directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.
Other Important Notes:

Participants should bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field.
There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If we can’t make it happen due to weather or some other situation, we will refund your money.
After registering you will receive important correspondence via email – if you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Featured Image Credit: Southern two-lined salamander by Jake Zadik.

Banner Image Credit: Timber rattlesnake by Jake Zadik.

iNaturalist 101: Documenting South Carolina’s Biodiversity

Would you like to learn more about iNaturalist? If so, join us on Thursday, January 22 at noon for a webinar with Phil Harpootlian, who is a retired electrical engineer and lifelong naturalist with a deep focus on South Carolina’s biodiversity. He is the author of two Clemson University publications on South Carolina scarab and jewel beetles, as well as several peer-reviewed journal articles. A longtime member of the South Carolina Association of Naturalists, Phil currently concentrates on documenting species across the state through iNaturalist. He has created over 100 iNaturalist projects covering South Carolina’s state parks, heritage preserves, state and national forests, and local parks, helping make biodiversity data more accessible to researchers and the public.