Iowa Beyond BOW - Women's Winter Gathering

The Iowa DNR, Firefly Creek Ranch, Shelby County Conservation and Pottawattamie County Conservation invite you to the 2019 Beyond BOW - Women's Winter Gathering! Come and gather with women who love the outdoors for a weekend adventure packed with winter outdoor skills including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, nature photography and winter survival at Springbrook State Park, near Guthrie Center. (If MotherNature has other ideas and does not bring snow, we will explore the park, navigating with map and compass and GPS as well as earth caching, practicing atlatl and archery.)

Evening sessions and overnight lodging will be at nearby Firefly Creek Ranch, where you can nurture your mind and body with yoga, journaling and essential oils and unleash your artistic side as you create your own journal and hiking staff. As the evening draws to a close, enjoy stargazing and stories around an outdoor campfire, followed by an indoor campout! (Semi private rooms are available for those who prefer.)

Workshop fees include instruction/training, program materials and equipment, meals and lodging (if selected). Various options are available.

The adult (18 and older) gathering will begin at 6:00 pm Friday, February 8 th, at Firefly Creek Ranch. Supper will be on your own prior to arriving, but evening snacks will be provided.

Winter Survival
Learn basic survival techniques to help you in the event of a winter emergency, including building a shelter from materials found in the wild, starting a fire without matches, basic first aid and how to plan and select gear for your outdoor adventure.

Cross-Country Skiing/Snowshoeing
Venture out along the scenic, peaceful trails with a new mode of transportation. Learn the basics, and practice in this beautiful setting, watching wildlife along the way! (Alternative activity: We will practice the ancient technology of atlatl, followed by the more modern archery if we don’t have sufficient snow to ski/snowshoe.)

Ice Fishing
We will provide all the equipment to make a session of fishing on the ice a comfortable and exciting experience, from site selection, gear options, bait choices and structures that can make it downright comfy! An Iowa fishing license is required for all anglers. (Alternative activity: If conditions are not safe to be on the ice, we will learn navigation techniques and head out with GPS, map and compass to explore the “wilderness”.) Contact Rachel Ladd at 515-729-6037 or rachel.ladd@dnr.iowa.gov with any questions on fishing licenses.

Nurturing Sessions
After a full day of outdoor adventures, we will return to Firefly Creek Ranch and work together to create and enjoy a healthy supper. Allow yourself to unwind with nurturing sessions of yoga, essential oils, journaling and sharing. Bring along a musical instrument if you play!

Campfire, Stargazing and an Indoor Campout
Round out the day by using your fire building skills to make a campfire, where we will enjoy snacks and warm drinks and venture out for a little stargazing, guided by an expert who will unravel the mysteries of the night sky.

Tuck into your tent (complete with mattress) in the indoor campground and dream the night away! (Semi private rooms with beds are available for the less adventurous).

Next Day~ Adventures Continue
After a healthy breakfast, prepare your gear and supplies to head back to Springbrook for a nature photography session, (Bring along your camera!) and another opportunity to explore the park on skis or showshoes. We will hike some of the 12 miles of trails, taking photos along the way if there is no snow. A warm, healthy lunch will follow before we pack up and head for home.

Agenda:

Friday
(Supper on your own)
6:00 Arrive at Firefly Creek Ranch - Welcome, Introductions
6:30 Create Nature Journals
7:30 Yoga
8:30 Campfire, Snacks/Warm Drinks, Storytelling... Indoor Campout

Saturday
7:30 Breakfast
8:00 Prepare for the Adventure (Gear/Supplies)
8:30 Caravan to Springbrook State Park
9:00 Winter Survival (Fire/Shelter/Water/First Aid)
12:00 Lunch/Warm up
1:00 Ice Fishing (Or GPS/Earth Cache)
3:00 Break/Snack/Warm Drinks
3:30 Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing(Atlatl/Archery)
5:30 Head to Firefly Creek Ranch (Where group collaborates to prepare healthy meal)
6:30 Supper
7:00 Essential Oils or Hiking Sticks
8:00 Stargazing/Mysteries of the Night Sky
8:30 Group Builds Fire, Snacks/Warm Drinks/Mythology... Journaling/Sharing/Music - Indoor Campout

Sunday
7:30 Breakfast
8:00 Optional Spiritual Gathering
8:30 Prepare for the Adventure (Gear/Supplies)
9:00 Return to Springbrook
9:30 Nature Photography
10:30 Ski/Snowshoe/Hike
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Wrap up/Sharing/Evaluation
1:00 Head for Home

Firefly Creek Ranch is located at 2345 Redwood Ave, Guthrie Center, IA 50115. 

Springbrook State Park is located at 2437 160th Rd, Guthrie Center, IA 50115. 

A “What to Bring” list will be furnished prior to the event.

Please indicate your shoe size for ski boots.

Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

Register Now!