Amanda Bachand, of Greenwood, rides a snowmobile on the practice course created at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp last weekend. Instructor is Gary Proulx, former 4-H Bryant Pond camp director and current IF&W Recreational Safety Coordinator. Submitted

WOODSTOCK — On Feb. 8 and 9, 40 women came to the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond for the annual Women’s Winter Skills Weekend. Participants from across the Northeast drove in to spend Friday night through Sunday afternoon learning a variety of outdoor activities.

The 4-H Center has hosted this program for over a decade, with the mission of creating an accessible space where women can come together and explore the outdoors and build new skills. Formerly known as Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW), the Women’s Winter Skills Weekend is a collaboration between Bryant Pond 4-H Center and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W).  

Participants attended skill-building workshops including ice fishing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing up Buck’s Ledge. Other workshops included riflery, trapping, orienteering, and cooking over a fire.  

Chelsea Lathrop, an Education and Outreach coordinator for IF&W, led much of the program with help from 4-H Center staff. IF&W brought in volunteers who provided many supplies including snowmobiles, an icehouse, and fly-tying gear.  

Lisa Deily, of Cambridge, MA, has participated in half a dozen BOW events across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. For her, the beautiful location, great housing, and the chance to brush up on her ice fishing skills were the biggest draws to Bryant Pond.

“To be this close and this accessible to nature is a special opportunity in our digital world,” she shared. “It’s a great experience to learn from knowledgeable women like Chelsea.” She went on to talk about specific skills she had gained like using an ice auger. In the middle of the interview, she shouted “Flag!” and ran off across the lake to pull in a perch.  

IF&W volunteer Sue LeBel, of South Paris, admiring a splake she caught ice fishing on Bryant Pond while IF&W Education and Outreach Coordinator, Chelsea Lathrop, of Norway looks on. Submitted

Karen Woodcock, of Mount Vernon, is a first-time participant of the Women’s Winter Skills weekend. She was excited to see how the 4-H Center, “accommodates all people, including those with health issues.” She said, “the weekend includes activities accessible for people of most ability levels.” Karen’s message for older women is, “Get yourself out there, don’t stop enjoying winter!” Participants at this program have ranged in age from 18-80. The program in gender inclusive.  

Registrations fill very quickly every year. “We’re all incredibly lucky to have experienced the winter weekend,” said Emily Beckett, of Moultonborough, NH, a second-time participant. “I only wish more people would get the chance to feel the empowerment to come out here and try all of this.”  

To learn more about future public programs, including summer camp for youth 6-18, visit the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond’s website and follow them on Facebook.