JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 9, 2022 – Ladies, have you wanted to explore the great outdoors but didn’t know where to begin? Join the team at Thousand Hills State Park and experience outdoor adventure taught by female instructors. From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, women can learn new outdoor skills or improve their techniques in a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere.
This event is part of the new Women in Nature (WIN) program, held at state parks throughout the state. The WIN program encourages girls and women to participate in activities they may not have the opportunity to otherwise. All programs and classes are created for and taught by women, and provide the opportunity to learn by doing.
Participants must be at least 10 years old, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The program will take place at the special use area. Participants are responsible for their own lunch.
WIN is an active, outdoor event. Participants may walk on surfaces containing roots, embedded rocks and minimal elevation change. To help participants anticipate each course and know what physical levels to expect, a physical rating system follows.
• Low: Requires minimal physical skill/endurance (ex., lecture-based and hands-on activities in a classroom setting).
• Moderate: Requires moderate physical skill/endurance (ex., short walks; lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing).
• High: Requires high levels of skill/endurance (ex., hiking; lifting; full-body movement; lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing).
Classes and their level of physical activity follow:
• Archery/Atlatl (moderate) – Archery is a time-honored sport that is growing in popularity. It’s not only good fun, but also good exercise and now you can learn how it’s done. Participants will also get the opportunity to throw an historic hunting weapon, the atlatl. This course covers safety, ethics, techniques and equipment selection. After some instruction, participants will have adequate time to practice what they learn.
• Campfire Cooking (low) – Learn campfire cooking techniques for your next outdoor adventure! Participants will learn how to cook over a campfire and all about Dutch-oven cooking. Food will be provided for participants to prepare and samples will be available.
• Kayaking (moderate/high) – Learn the basics of flatwater kayaking, including areas such as equipment, entering and exiting, strokes, safety, water and wind. By the end of the class, you’ll feel more comfortable on the water, better understand the safety risks around you and have more fun the next time you go. Participants will have time to practice and explore.
• Hiking/Trail Skills (moderate/high) – The outdoors aren’t just for fellas anymore!
Participants will have some fun hiking and questions and concerns they have about the outdoors will be covered. Learn about hiking, outdoor safety and backpacking skills.
Cost to participate is $10 per person and preregistration can be completed by visiting icampmo.com and searching “WIN.” There is a maximum of 40 participants. All refunds and cancellations must be made by phone at 573-751-1643 or by emailing Taylor Ratcliff at taylor.ratcliff@dnr.mo.gov.
Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, Missouri. Questions can be sent to Taylor Ratcliff or Jesze Doleh at Jessica.doleh@dnr.mo.gov or by calling 660-665-6995.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
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