This year, our long running program, the Women’s Outdoor Retreat, was introduced with a new name, Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat (POWR). At POWR, our goal is to empower women to have the confidence to try outdoor activities on their own after they have learned the basics from our experienced, nurturing instructors. Thank you to Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund for sponsoring this year’s retreat.

On October 7-9, we were thrilled to welcome nearly 150 women to Hickory Knob State Park for a full weekend of classes and activities. This year we welcomed several new instructors, and also offered new classes such as Boating and Trailering and Low Ropes. There were 29 classes to choose from.

We could not offer this wonderful weekend event without our incredible staff of 50 volunteer instructors. These instructors take time off of their busy schedules to provide quality instruction in outdoor activities that are their passion. When you are passionate about the outdoors, there is no greater feeling than helping others learn and find joy in the same way you do.

We are grateful to one of our long time sponsors, Cabela’s Greenville for support through their Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. We were pleased to have the support of several outfitters and organizations including the SC Department of Natural Resources, Artemis South Carolina, Earth Connection Outfitters, Angling Women, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, SASS (Surviving Assault Standing Strong), John De La Howe School, Clemson Sandhills Research Station, Three Sisters Essentials, Southern Appalachian Outdoors, Clemson University Fly Fishing, Savannah River Ecology Lab, and Nature Adventure Outfitters. These partnerships enabled us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert volunteer instructors. A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donated their time to share their knowledge and expertise. We thank them for their contributions to our event and encourage participants and others to support their businesses.

Event Co-chairs – BeBe Dalton Harrison & Dan Turpin

Check out all the great classes that we were able to offer with the help of our volunteer instructors!

1. Archery – Wes Ballard and Gina Spear
2. Backpacking – Glenn Gardner and Sam Poppleton
3. Backyard Habitat – Nancy Delph
4. Birding – Jay Keck
5. Boating & Trailering – Dennetta Dawson, Rhett Bissell, Treye Byars, Kendall Lownsbury, Bert Luper, Jim Shelton, and Elyse Wells, SC Department of Natural Resources
6. Camping – Cody and Trista Bishop
7. Canoeing – Don and Bettina George (thank you to John de la Howe School for canoes)
8. Coastal Crafts – Susan Dalton and Stefany Beals, Angling Women
9. EcoHiking – Tara Boone, Heather Bock, and April Rodgers , Three Sisters Essentials
10. Fishing – Bernie and Alice Clegg (thank you to SC Department of Natural Resources for fishing equipment)
11. Fish Cleaning & Cooking – Bernie and Alice Clegg (thank you to SC Department of Natural Resources for providing fresh fish)
12. Fly Fishing – Alex Hawley and Sean Crow
13. Geocaching – Rose Clawson
14. Hunting – Dennetta Dawson, SCDNR
15. Hypertufa Pumpkins – Harley Carpenter and Allison Pederson
16. Kayaking – Elizabeth Anderegg and April Childress (thank you to Clemson Sandhills Research Center for kayaks)
17. Lake Thurmond Paddle – Cindy Hekking
18. Low Ropes Course – Kinsley Miller, John De la Howe School
19. Map & Compass – Penny Ginn
20. Nature Spa – Beth Rivers, Maria Campbell, and Melissa Goudelock
21. Outdoor Cooking – Denise Froehle
22. Paddleboarding – Jimmy and Ginnie Smith, Earth Connection Outfitters
23. Photography – Allison Moore
24. Self Defense – Lisa Ewart, SASS Go (Surviving Assault Standing Strong)
25. SC Road Trips – Rose Clawson
26. Skeet Shooting – Hubert Cox, Bev Anderson
27. Snake Class – Jay Keck
28. Yoga, Outdoor Stretch and Relax – Jami Hawkins
29. Yoga, Outdoor Vinyasa Flow – Nicole Kish

Special Evening Presentation – Sean Poppy, Savannah River Ecology Lab

Behind the Scenes Lead Volunteer – Ginger Snelgrove

Raffle Prize Donors – Angling Women, Dan Turpin, Beth Rivers, Linda Harrell, Nature Adventure Outfitters, Three Sisters Essentials, Beverly Burton, Terri Wicker Gore, Stono Ferry Golf, Lowcountry Bohemian, Riverbanks Zoo, Rose Clawson, Pure Fishing, and Total Wine

SCWF Staff – Sara Green, Ari Hippensteal, Angi Fuller Wildt, Beverley Roberts, Jay Keck

Hickory Knob Staff – Chris Elswick, Jermaine Jennings, Jan Danner, Shalonda Starks

Scroll through our photos below from this year’s retreat!

We hope to offer more hands-on instruction in outdoor activities in the future so please stay in touch with us by visiting our website at www.scwf.org. Also, women can join the “Palmetto Outdoors Women” page on Facebook for additional offerings.