“We can totally do this,” said Heather Bock to her friend as she completed an educational session on fly fishing. They were participants in the Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat or POWR for short. After going through instruction with patient and knowledgeable instructors, they headed out on the water and put their new skills to the test. Her statement after the class was a true indicator of the confidence gained during the retreat.
POWR is an all inclusive weekend-long event that brings like-minded women together to enjoy and learn about all things “outdoors.” This year’s event will be held at Clemson University Outdoor Lab from May 3-5. Women who attend this event will be able to choose up to eight classes including archery, fly fishing, backyard habitat, shooting sports, outdoor photography, and much more. In addition to the classes, registration covers meals, lodging, evening activities, and an event shirt.
Classes for POWR are led by expert instructors in a very relaxed and safe environment. As one participant described, “POWR keeps me connected to like-minded women in an atmosphere that brings me back to my beloved Girl Scout days. (It is) A way to taste the outdoors without having to possess the skills or tools needed for all the activities I experience.”
BeBe Dalton Harrison, Director of Education at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, organizes POWR and wants to invite women who have never participated in outdoor activities to join in this year’s event.
“POWR provides an introduction or in some cases a reintroduction to fun activities in the outdoors” says Harrison. She continues, “Many women participated in outdoor activities as a child and would like to get reacquainted with the fun times they had back then. POWR is a way for women to learn in a laid-back environment and to connect with other women who enjoy the same activities”. Harrison also describes this event as a fun retreat where women can get away, make friends, and build confidence, as stated by Heather Bock above.
POWR is designed to give women a “taste” of outdoor activities but also the South Carolina Wildlife Federation is dedicated to providing additional opportunities to build on the skills they learn at the event. “We want women to not only learn outdoor skills, but to take what they learn and continue it with friends and family, and in some cases develop a passion for it”, Harrison explains. She continues, “We want women to move from awareness of these amazing opportunities to action. Once you learn it, let’s go…fishing, boating, birding, etc.”
The Retreat has been presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation for more than 20 years at different locations around the state. Each event is made possible with the support of several outfitters and organizations including the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops (Greenville Store), Clemson University, Angling Women, SASS (Surviving Assault Standing Strong), Chattooga River Fly Shop, and Three Sisters Essentials. These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors.
