Well the big day had finally arrived! I think that some of the women were really anxious because they were sitting outside the door at 6:30 am! We had kicked off the day at 7 am and while the ladies were registering, we played an icebreaker. Each one of them had to have signatures on a piece of paper that had different activities. The object was to find a different person to sign each item, such as Backpacked for a week, Eaten moose meat, Hunted with a flintlock rifle, Raised a snake, Caught a fish with a fly they tied, etc. This was so fun watching everyone mingle and learn who had done what! The women filled up on donuts, bagles and cream cheese, juice and coffee, and then were headed on their way. 

We had a grand total of 54 women, to spread out to 11 different classes. Archery, Canoeing, Turkey Hunting, Primitive Cooking and Intro to Firearms were the most popular classes. We also offered Mountain Biking, Bird Watching. Map and Compass, Camping and Fishing. 

During our great lunch hour (we even served venison) we were presented with a talk about the new CARA legislation, and held a fashion show featuring clothes from Cabelas and Open Seasons. 
Then we were back out side to do it all again! I have to tell you these were truly Outdoor Women in the making! We were having a typical Nebraska summer day. It was 96 degrees with at least 75% humidity! We went through a bunch of water, but everyone made it! We only had one mis-hap, by the 4-H director (who was hosting the day). She participated in the mountain biking class and wiped out on the first hill! She is ok, but her bike wasn't. 

At the end of the day, we had some very tired but still enthusiastic women! We handed out lots of raffle items, silent auction items, a great door prize from the morning ice breaker - a Partylite Log Cabin candle holder. One lucky lady stepped away with a 5 day Trophy Whitetail Hunt in Pennsylvania. 

We had great reviews from everyone (well except the heat!) and they cant wait to do it again next year! I heard from a few who are already making plans to purchase bows, canoes and one women is pursuing a muzzleloader! And the guys thought they had expensive habits! 
This was a great experience for me as well, seeing these women with this much excitement, fills me with so much hope that our hunting heritage and the joy for the outdoors, will not be lost! 

Christy Christiansen 
Missouri River Longbeard,
Women in the Outdoors 
Event Coordinator