The following is a group up in Canada and most of the participant are from Alberta and British Colombia. Women are taught any number of survival skills, including bow hunting, outdoor cooking, archery, moccasin making, and even handgun shooting!

The course is part of the Outdoor Women’s Program, held annually through the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association. Participants like Chisholm — who has been going for 14 years  —  get to choose from dozens of activities.

The volunteer-run, non-profit organization has been educating women (as well as men and children) since 1994.  Each August, it runs a five-day camp exclusively for women at Alford Lake, south of Rocky Mountain House. There are 250 spots, but they could easily fill 500, says Bob Gruszecki, president of the AHIEA.

“Our mission is to spread the news about the great outdoors,” and to arm people with skills that make them safe and savvy in the wilds, says Gruszecki.
When the women arrive, “they pull up to the facility and they cast away their city-slicker attributes.”

There are no curling irons or nail polish, but there is a sense of camaraderie, great food and like-minded people who are there to build their confidence and gain the skills needed to be an outdoorswoman, he says.

Chisholm, 48, a regular attendee, considered herself outdoor-lite before getting involved. She grew up knowing her dad and his buddies went hunting, but they never brought their wives.

“There were a lot of self-imposed limitations I had on myself before taking part in the program,” she says.

It’s been noted that a lot of the women taking these courses do it more than once. Often, they push their experience to the next level and, in doing so, teach others in their group as well.

These ladies do not mind being pushed out of their comfort zones and we have to congratulate them for their courage in trying something new and life changing.

To read more about this program, head over to Calgary Herald. There are some good quote from women in the course and, if you are like me, you’ll be impressed with their foresight and daring!