EDGEFIELD, S.C. — In partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland NWTF State Chapter hosted its second annual Women in the Outdoors event at the Thurmont Conservation and Sportsmen’s Club, witnessing remarkable growth and enthusiasm among participants.
This year’s event drew 75 attendees, increasing from last year’s inaugural gathering. Notably, all attendees were new this year, reflecting the chapter’s commitment to introducing outdoor activities to individuals who have never experienced them before.
“We focus on exposing folks who have never done anything like this before and give priority to new folks who haven’t had the opportunity before,” said Russ Leith, NWTF state outreach coordinator. “These women have never been to any type of WITO event in the past. We recognize the need to introduce more people to the outdoors and are committed to doing something about it.”
The event offered a diverse range of activities designed to engage and educate participants. Attendees had the opportunity to try their hand at a camping 101 class, a turkey hunting class, shotgun shooting, archery, fishing and more. With ten outdoor skills classes offered, the events sought to inspire participants to continue their journeys as outdoorswomen further.
“The event isn’t just about learning new skills, its about fostering a sense of community, resilience and empowerment among women,” said Victoria Vayer, Maryland Department of Natural Resources R3 program coordinator hunting specialist. “As participants explore new activities, they are also discovering their own strength and connection to nature as well as meeting new friends along the way.”
One heartwarming anecdote Leith shared, highlighted the event’s success: “Some of the women were having so much fun shooting that they skipped lunch to keep shooting,” he said.
Funds for the event were supplied by the Maryland NWTF State Chapter’s Super Fund. This funding model allows NWTF volunteers to raise money at banquets and other fundraisers, then allocate a significant portion of those funds back into meaningful conservation and outreach projects within their respective states, such as this WITO event.
“Many women express that they feel safe, welcomed and empowered when we run women’s-specific workshops, and love learning these skills in a low-pressure environment with other women with similar interests,” Vayer said. “It’s clear to us that workshops like WITO are necessary, and we are looking forward to scaling up and expanding more in the future.”
The success of this year’s event sets a promising precedent for future WITO events in Maryland, as the chapter continues to inspire and empower women to embrace the outdoors.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
