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AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's (IFW) Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program has scheduled the first two of many exciting outdoor programs for 2004. The workshops are aimed primarily at women 18 years and older, interested in learning brand new or honing existing outdoor skills. For women that want to become more comfortable in Maine's cold weather woodlands, the Winter Skills Workshop will provide instruction and field practice in several wintertime essential outdoor skills. This 2-day workshop will be held at Southern Maine Guide Service in Parsonsfield (30 miles west of Portland), from 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 17 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 18. Activities will include using, selecting and maintaining snowshoes; building snow shelters; learning wilderness first aid; using a map and compass; cooking over an open fire; planning food and menus for and organizing winter trips. The $150 fee includes instruction, lodging, meals and equipment. A one-day Snowmobile Certification Workshop will be held in at the Washington Fire Department, about 20 miles east of Augusta, on Saturday January 24, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aimed at beginners, this program includes an IFW Snowmobile Safety Course Certification, plus hands-on snowmobile operation experience. Classroom time in the morning will cover proper operation and safety, laws, emergencies, basic map and compass skills, self-help first aid, and conservation/landowner ethics. After lunch, participants will head out to a nearby course to hone their skills on snowmobiles. The workshop is co-sponsored by Hill & Gully Riders Snowmobile Club of Washington. The $25 fee includes instruction and snacks. For more information, contact Dorcas Miller, BOW Coordinator, 207-582-5600, or check out the Department web site at www.mefishwildlife.com. |