Published: December 10, 2008
By Pam Grace and Mark Hamilton
Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Inland Fisheries Division

Summer came in September and the weather was perfect as 61 women participated in the 2008 Fall BOW Workshop. It was held from September 19-21 at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts — St. Ann's, Cape Breton — under the leadership of 29 BOW instructors and organizing committee members.

Classes were held in three categories: hunting-related, fishing-related and other outdoor skills. Each participant had the opportunity to attend four half-day sessions, choosing from a list of five to six classes offered per session. These included:
Hunting: archery/bowhunting; firearms safety, handling & storage; shooting rifles; shotgunning, and scouting for wildlife;
Fishing: fly fishing; trout fishing, and tasty fish;
Outdoor Skills: beach combing; geo-caching; hiking/backpacking; kayaking; nature photography; orienteering; outdoor cooking, and wilderness survival.

Two orienteering classes were offered at BOW for the first time this fall, led by our intrepid trio of Jennifer Annett, Ted Scrutton, and Heather Weatherhead. Orienteering is an exciting activity that combines the skills of wilderness navigation with trail running. Participants told us this course exceeded expectations, it was a good start on map reading and they feel like they won't get lost now.

The Friday evening campfire fun consisted of a lumberjack competition and demonstration, with fierce and funny competition in three timbersport events: axe-throw, cross-cut, and kettle boil. Sue Veinot refereed the event amidst much encouragement and laughter as the women supported their favourite team; then Sue wowed the crowd with a hot-saw demonstration. Saturday evening saw an informal variety of activities, including fly-tying, outdoors with dogs, moose call making, lumberjack skills, and of course, relaxing around the campfire.

We sincerely thank all BOW Instructors who give freely of their time to join us in making the BOW workshop a truly wonderful experience. A special thank you to our BOW Partners: NS Federation of Anglers & Hunters, NS Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, NS Department of Health Promotion & Protection, and the NS Department of Natural Resources.

A huge thank you to our sponsors who generously donate equipment, supplies, prizes or financial support to the classes, silent auction and to the BOW Scholarship Program. This support enhances the type of programming that BOW is able to offer, allowing participants to see a wide variety of equipment and supplies available to them for outdoor recreation.

We'd like to share a story from Leah, one of our fall BOW participants. It sums up very nicely what BOW means to the women who attend.

"I just wanted to share with you what BOW has done for me.
My husband and I decided to move from Boston to Shelburne. He spoke of all the things that he was going to do with his brother: hunting, four-wheeling, boating, fishing. I wanted to be part of that.
I have always been a city girl and never had the opportunity to take part in the activities offered through BOW. People asked me if I was going to be okay going by myself, not knowing anyone there. I went to BOW alone, but that changed as soon as I got there. After meeting so many wonderful people it was like I had a big, warm security blanket of people with me during the entire weekend.
The variety of courses was excellent.
At no point during my courses did I feel stupid for asking questions. The instructors were so enthusiastic and supportive, I never felt at all intimidated.
I thank you so much for this experience. It has changed my life forever.
Keep up the great work! It is so much appreciated.
Leah”

For information on the BOW program, please contact BOW Nova Scotia Coordinator Pam Grace at Tel: 902-424-5842, or e-mail: gracepa@gov.ns.ca

Darlene Caldwell, President of BOW NS, and Mark Hamilton of Inland Fisheries lead the Tasty Fish class in preparing fillets for the table.

Part of the crowd who gathered at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's, Cape Breton for the 2008 Fall BOW.