Welcome to the Outdoor Skills Academy!

collage shows women enjoying outdoor activities: boating, archery, duck hunting, gun safety, bird watching, and fishing

Your Gateway to Outdoor Confidence!

The Outdoor Skills Academy is more than just a program — it’s a movement. This program is designed for adventurous women aged 18 and up, as a hands-on experience that empowers you to explore, learn, and thrive in the great outdoors. Whether you're brand new to outdoor activities or looking to sharpen your skills, our expert-led workshops in shooting, hunting, fishing, and conservation are built to boost your confidence and independence in nature. Join a welcoming community of like-minded women and discover just how capable, and unstoppable you are. It’s time to step outside your comfort zone and into your power.

Adventure starts here. Confidence lasts a lifetime.

a woman smiles over her right shoulder while holding a fishing rod

What is an Outdoor Skills Academy event like?

Outdoor Skills Academy events can be held in a single day or an entire weekend.  Events will be held across the state throughout the year.  You’ll experience a variety of classes but will pick a specific skill to spend the majority of your time on during the weekend training.

Women attending Skills Academy events are not experts.  In fact, we anticipate that you may never have experienced some of these skills before.  We are here to support you in a fun, safe and non-competitive environment.  

This program is for you if…

  • you have never tried one of the many outdoor skills such as hunting, shooting, fishing, hiking, etc. and want to give it shot.
  • you are a novice and would like to improve your skills.
  • you would like to learn a new skill, but don’t have the equipment to try it out.
  • you already do some outdoor skills but would like to learn new ones.
  • you enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals, and you seek time away to reconnect with nature.

2025 Events

Oct. 4th, 8:30-4:30: Skill Set Sampler

Women will rotate through 4 classes representative of the four Women’s Outdoor Skills Academy tracks: 

  • Introduction to Shotgun
  • Wild Habitats, Wild Women
  • Hunting Safety and Regulations
  • Flyfishing basics

Oct. 24th – 26th, Noon Friday – 1pm Sunday:  Wild Skills Weekend

  • Millstone 4-H Camp (Richmond County)
  • Registration and more details coming soon!

The Wild Skills Weekend will be a weekend of outdoor skills galore. Women will be able to choose the classes they would like to take. We encourage you to choose a track to participate in which will allow you to hone your skills throughout the weekend and build relationships with other women working on the same skill set. If you are a first timer you do not have to pick a track if you need to experience a variety of classes to determine what skills you are interested in.

a woman aims a rifle at a clay target while an instructor looks on

Volunteer Instructors - Share Your Skills. Inspire Confidence. Make An Impact.

Do you have a passion for the outdoors and a desire to empower women? Become a Volunteer Instructor at the Outdoor Skills Academy and help shape unforgettable experiences that build confidence, connection, and lifelong skills.

Our instructors come from all walks of life, from wildlife agency professionals to outdoor enthusiasts and industry experts that are united by a shared belief in the power of community and hands-on learning in the wild. Whether you’re a seasoned instructor or someone who simply loves the outdoors and wants to support others, there’s a place for you. We're looking for:

  1. Lead Instructors

  2. Assistant Instructors

  3. General Volunteers

    Why volunteer?

  • Be part of a supportive, mission-driven community

  • Share your passion and expertise with eager learners

  • Help create a safe, inclusive space for women to thrive outdoors

  • Gain experience and build lasting connections

  • Volunteer hours for professional or personal development

Ready to lead the way?
Help us grow the next generation of confident outdoor women. Note: Background checks are conducted for all potential volunteers to ensure a safe and positive experience for all participants. 

Please note: we are not taking applications at this time.


Scholarships

Limited partial scholarships will be available to support women in attending an Outdoor Skills Academy event.  More information on scholarships will be posted in 2025.
 

Coordinator Contact Info:

Casey Williams
Email
Phone: 252-904-9873
 

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