South Carolina Wildlife Federation
Announcing the 23rd Edition of the
Women’s Outdoor Retreat
September 9-11, 2016
Hickory Knob State Resort Park
ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO OUR WAITING LIST,
PLEASE EMAIL SARA GREEN AT SARA@SCWF.ORG.
The Women’s Outdoor Retreat is a weekend event designed for women to experience nature and outdoor recreation with like-minded ladies in a non-competitive environment. Nature , kayaking, fishing, outdoor cooking, and photography are just a few of the nearly 30 classes from which to choose.
The Retreat is presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and sponsored by Cabela’s and Hickory Knob State Resort Park. We are pleased to have the support of several outfitters and organizations including the Little River Blueways, SC Department of Natural Resources, Earth Connection Outfitters, Berkeley County Blueways, Colonial Ladies Society, Lake Thurmond Sail & Power Squadron, Get Your Gear On, Adventure Carolina, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, Savannah Lakes Village, and River Runner Outdoor Center. These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors. A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donate their time to share their knowledge and expertise.
LOCATION: Headquarters is Hickory Knob State Resort Park - 1591 Resort Drive, McCormick, SC. The park is located about 2 hours west of Columbia, SC. The closest airport is located in Augusta, GA.
AGE GUIDELINES: Open to females age 16 and older (no maximum age). Girls ages 16-18 must be accompanied by responsible adult – no supervision will be provided.
TIMES: The Retreat will open for check-in at 11:30 am on Friday, September 9th. The first class begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, and the last class concludes at noon on Sunday the 11th.
REGISTRATION: The registration fee is $100 per person, meals and lodging are separate (see below). For a paper copy of the registration form, contact Sara Green at sara@scwf.org.
DEADLINES: Registrations will be accepted, in the order they are received, as long as space is available. Registration received after that will be placed on a waiting list.
REFUNDS: 90% of registration fees will be refunded when requested in writing or by email at least 3 weeks/21 days prior to the Retreat. 50% of registration fees will be refunded 5-21 days before retreat.
MEALS: Hickory knob has a full-service restaurant serving three meals each day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets are available, as well as a full menu of options. Lighter options include a soup and salad bar for lunch or dinner.
You may choose to purchase our Retreat Meal Plan for $70 per person, which will allow you to avoid standing in the cashier’s line after each meal. The meal plan covers the hot buffet & salad bar, drink & gratuity for each included meal - plan includes all of these meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. The meal plan is only available in advance, and no partial meal plans will be sold.
A special effort has been made to ensure that the meals are affordable and meet the dietary needs of everyone attending the retreat, including those preferring a vegetarian meal. The cabins have fully-equipped kitchens, but hotel rooms have no cooking facilities. Grills are not allowed in rooms.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS: Hickory Knob’s accommodations include motel rooms and cabins. Camping is also available. You are encouraged to stay at the park in order to enjoy the full experience and the camaraderie of the other participants. Please call Hickory Knob at: 1-800-491-1764 to make lodging arrangements. Be sure to tell them you are with the Women’s Outdoor Retreat. Lodging is reserved for this retreat only until July 8th. Rooms are expected to sell out quickly – reserve yours early! If park is full, contact SCWF for alternatives.
CLASSES: Please complete the registration form. You will be assigned to as many of your choices as possible – a minimum of six (6) and up to eight (8) workshops. Most classes last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, but some last up to 4 hours. A confirmation letter with your class schedule will be sent about a week prior to the Retreat. Schedule changes can be made upon arrival at Hickory Knob.
T-shirts
The commemorative t-shirts for the 2016 Retreat will be only $10 each if ordered with the registration form (all sizes). You are encouraged to order yours with the registration form because quantities printed will be determined by the number that are reserved in advance. Even though a few extra t-shirts are printed, we will probably sell out. Sizes available are S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Please advise if another size is needed and we will try to accommodate.
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR RETREAT - CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
ARCHERY - One of the oldest methods of hunting involves the skilled use of a bow and arrows. You will learn some of these skills as you test your aim with stationary targets.
BACKPACKING – Thinking of backpacking, but don't know where to begin? Learn the basics from an instructor whose experience includes the Appalachian Trail. You will learn what essentials you DO need and how to fit it into your pack. You will also see different types of backpacking gear and their functions--water filtration systems, sleeping pads, cooking systems, and more.
BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITAT - Learn how to provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young for wildlife to supply a natural habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
BIRDING - A Master Wildlife Conservationist will help you improve your birding skills through field observations using field guides, identifying marks and calls, and will lead a walk in the park listing the species observed.
CANOEING - One of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the outdoors. Learn basic strokes and how to have a safe outing whether on a river or a lake.
CLAY SCULPTING ($) – “Reflection” is a project inspired by a woman’s hips & chest. Each woman will take an amount of clay and create an outline of her body. The ceramic body will then be decorated and embellished with natural elements such as flowers, butterfly wings, shells, & feathers!
COLONIAL WOMEN’S WORK ($) – Learn about the Four Fibers that made America! Costumed interpreters from the Colonial Ladies Society will "spin" the story about wool, linen, silk, and cotton fibers. Fiber production and use of the fibers will be "woven" into the story of women during the American Revolution. An added extra will be time to have hands-on experience in "women's work" on the spinning wheel.
FISH CLEANING & COOKING - Learn to clean, prepare and cook your catch of the day from South Carolina’s many lakes and streams.
FRESHWATER FISHING - Learn the fundamentals of fishing on our inland lakes and streams with basic equipment, and then try your luck. A valid SC Fishing License is required, and can be purchased from the SC Department of Natural Resources or most places where tackle is sold.
GEOCACHING - This is an exciting adventure game using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). You will use a GPS to find caches that have been hidden throughout the park. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards.
HERBAL HEALING ($) – Explore and learn about the healing benefits of essential oils. Learn how nature’s medicine cabinet can help you take care of you and your family's health by utilizing essential oils as your go-to in first-aid situations.
HUNTING BASICS – Learn the fundamentals of hunting such as tracking, reading the wind and thermals, safety and ethical considerations. The class will be comprised of hands-on exercises and games.
HYPERTUFA PLANTERS ($) - Hypertufa troughs are made from a lightweight, porous material that provides great drainage for plants like herbs, succulents, and more. Participants will make their own trough to take home, and see a variety of ways to plant and use them in the garden.
JEWELRY-MAKING ($) – Learn how to create natural jewelry with found or up-cycled items. You will also create a jewelry hanger with driftwood. Participants will create a hanger and two necklaces during their class time.
KAYAKING INTRO - Recreational kayaking allows you to float on a peaceful river or paddle around a pond or lake as you enjoy nature’s beauty. You will learn basic paddling strokes, safety techniques, self-rescue and more in this introductory class.
KNOT TYING – In this interactive workshop, you will learn to tie basic knots for camp craft. Learn the difference between granny and square knots, hitches and more. Hands-on participation will help you master those basic knots.
LAKE THURMOND PADDLE - Enjoy a leisurely paddle in a kayak along the coves and shoreline of Hickory Knob as you explore the natural beauty and watch for wildlife. (paddling is not difficult, but if you’ve never been in a kayak, we recommend selecting the Kayaking Intro class also)
LEAF CASTING ($) - Sand casting of leaves is the art of spreading a mixture of concrete and sand on the back of a real leaf. We will use real garden leaves and put the special mix on top of the leaf which serves as the mold. You will also learn how to preserve your leaf and how to paint it.
NATURAL TREASURES OF SOUTH CAROLINA – Take a journey across South Carolina, from the mountains to the sea, without leaving the classroom! Learn about some of the many beautiful places which showcase SC wildlife and natural history, and the best time to go. Be sure your next road trip includes some of these places which are easily accessible and appeal to a variety of interests, from hiking to birding to kayaking.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY - Use your own digital camera to take beautiful scenic shots and outdoor family photos. Gain knowledge about your camera settings, digital filters, options and accessories needed to get the perfect outdoor shot. Bring your digital camera and owner’s manual with you (Film cameras also welcomed).
NATURE SPA ($) - Learn how to use and enjoy beauty secrets from Mother Nature's pantry. You will have the opportunity to make some bath salts and other spa products for yourself or for gifts to carry home. If you would like to experience each step of the way, please wear a "clean" face.
OUTDOOR COOKING - See how cooking with cast iron and camp ovens is made easy through proven techniques and the sharing of recipes. Learn cooking shortcuts, fire building, and equipment care while tasting the fixin’s.
PADDLEBOARDING - The fast-growing sport of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a fun, easy way to go play on the water. Paddleboarding offers an amazing full-body workout and is becoming a favorite cross-training activity.
SAILING** - Nothing can match the experience of enjoying some of South Carolina’s lakes from the deck of a sailboat. You will learn the mechanics of what it takes to rig and pilot a large boat and then test your skills, and those of your classmates, on Lake Thurmond. ***this is a double class***
SKEET SHOOTING & FIREARMS SAFETY ($) - Learn how to safely handle a firearm and polish your hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes when you take aim at clay “pigeons.”
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Come along with a naturalist on an exploration of the park as she interprets the great diversity of wildlife and other natural features.
YOGA - This practice will invite a quieting of the mind while also exercising the body with postures that encourage strength, stretching and letting go of tension. For all levels of yoga practice (no experience necessary).
($) – indicates an additional materials fee of $5 per person will be collected at check-in for each of these classes.
REFUNDS: 90% of registration fees will be refunded when requested at least 3 weeks/21 days prior to the Retreat. 50% of registration fees will be refunded 5-21 days before retreat.
