More than ever, women are becoming involved in outdoor activities such as shooting sports, fishing, and camping, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Women can learn and/or improve upon their outdoor skills by attending the “Women in the Outdoors” (WITO) workshop at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield on September 16-18, 2005 – BUT HURRY – early registration ends September 1! The Roswell Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and WRD are sponsoring this event.

“WITO events allow women to come together, learn together, make new friends, meet inspiring women, and have a lot of fun,” says WITO Event Coordinator Rosanna Beebe. “For many, these events help women overcome a fear or distrust of firearms or pick up an empowering skill like self-defense or archery.”

WITO provides hands-on, educational outdoor opportunities for women (age 14 or older) from all walks of life. These events are designed to be non-competitive and fun for women of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.

The September WITO event in Mansfield will be held at Charlie Elliott’s new Conference Facility (opened May 2005). The cost of the workshop is just $175 ($200 after September 1), which covers lodging and all meals, instructional sessions, program materials, use of all equipment, WITO t-shirt and pocket knife, membership in the NWTF, and a one-year subscription to the WITO magazine. Women who live nearby and would rather commute to the 3-day weekend event can register for a reduced rate of $125 ($150 after September 1).

Participants can pick four 3½-hour classes to attend during the workshop. Choices include: Aquatic Ecology, Archery Basics, Backpacking/Hiking, Backyard Wildlife Basics, Birdwatching, Camping Basics, Canoeing, Common Sense Self Defense, Flyfishing Basics, Flytying Basics, Freshwater Fishing Basics, Gun Cleaning, Hunting 101, Pampering Products from Nature, Outdoor Cooking, Riflery Basics, and Shotgunning Basics. Other highlights include a wildlife supper, night hike opportunity, and a silent auction.

Although WITO classes have been held at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center before, the September 2005 event will be the first to fully take place at the new Conference Facility. This beautiful Arts & Crafts style series of buildings includes a large main conference room and two smaller conference rooms, 9,000-square-foot dining hall with a massive stone fireplace and adjoining 2,000-square-foot terraced deck, and two lodge buildings that accommodate approximately 80 guests. All of these buildings are set amongst the beautiful scenery in Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center’s 6,400 acres. These facilities are available not only for wildlife educational use but also for business meetings, banquets, weddings, reunions, church functions, and other events. Call Charlie Elliott’s Conference Coordinator Lacy Mitchell at (770) 784-3059 to answer any questions about your particular function.

For more information about the upcoming WITO event:

· Visit www.georgiawildlife.com,  select “General Information” and then “Women in the Outdoors” for information and a printable registration form.

· Contact a September 2005 WITO Event Coordinator: Rosanna Beebe with the Roswell Spurs Chapter of NWTF at (770) 432-9933 or cre8tdir@bellsouth.net  or Linda May with Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center at (770) 784-3060 or Linda_May@dnr.state.ga.us. 

For more info on the WITO program, visit www.womenintheoutdoors.org.  For more information about NWTF, visit www.nwtf.org  or call 1-800-THE-NWTF.

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