Welcome To The Outdoor Skills Academy!
Welcome to the Outdoor Skills Academy — 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.
Volunteer Instructors
Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds including agency staff, partner agencies and the private sector. Instructors are giving their time with the Skills Academy because they believe in the camaraderie and skill-building that are created from day- and weekend-long experiences.
We are always looking for new instructors, assistant instructors and general volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete an application form. Background checks will be conducted for all potential volunteers.
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.
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:
Tanya Poole
Email
Phone: 828-329-3472