Posted Thursday, May 19, 2005

Women's interest in outdoor recreation is growing, studies show

Several outdoor activities await women in Utah this summer

The outdoors has long been the domain of men, a place where they can retreat or escape from the daily pressures of life.

Women, on the other hand, have typically spent their downtime enjoying hobbies such as arts and crafts, sewing, shopping, and visiting with friends and family. However, more and more women are starting to discover the rejuvenating mental and physical benefits of spending time outdoors, especially while engaged in activities that foster a sense of accomplishment, such as horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, archery and hunting.

In the 2004 Outdoor Recreation Participation Study for the United States conducted by the Leisure Trend Group and released by the Outdoor Industry Association, four key outdoor-related markets with the highest growth potential over the next two years were identified. Women were one of those key market areas.

Women are also the fastest growing and brightest spot on the horizon for the shooting sports and hunting industries. Currently, more than 2 million women hunt and 4 million women target shoot. And those numbers are growing daily.

Why the growing interest? One factor, repeatedly cited by many instructors and volunteers who have firsthand experience teaching and organizing women's outdoor recreational clinics, is the increase in mothers raising their children without fathers. Single mothers want to participate in outdoor recreational activities with their children in the absence of a father figure who would normally introduce their children to these activities. Another contributing factor is the movement toward natural health and healing which emphasizes the physical and emotional benefits of spending time in natural settings.

According to a Women and Wilderness Recreation Study conducted by the Indiana University School of Health Physical Education and Recreation in November 2001, women were affected by wilderness recreation in a variety of ways. Many of these effects filtered into their everyday lives, contributing to increased self-sufficiency, a shift in perspective, connections with others and mental clarity. The findings suggest that wilderness recreation leads to positive changes in a woman's view of the world and how women are perceived by society in general. In view of the positive benefits, the researchers concluded their study by recommending that opportunities for women to participate in outdoor recreation be increased.

A study that is currently being commissioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation shows that "uncertainty, inexperience and accessibility" are the most common barriers women cite for not participating fully and regularly in outdoors recreation. The study found that women do not lack interest in outdoor recreation. Rather, they lack the knowledge and equipment needed to proceed. Women's outreach programs, like the "Becoming an Outdoors Woman" (BOW) program ran in Utah by the Division of Wildlife Resources and 'Women in the Outdoors' provide an excellent introduction to a variety of outdoor recreational activities through classes, clinics and workshops.

The following are just some of the BOW and other events in which women in Utah can participate in the next few months:

June 3–4: National Wild Turkey Federation's Fifth Annual "Women in the Outdoors" Event. Cost involved and pre-registration is required. To pre-register or for more information, call Tracy Jarvis at (801) 754-1193 or e-mail teamwito2000@yahoo.com.

June 11: Women On Target and BOW Skeet Clinic at Provo Gun Club. Some shotgun experience required. Space is limited. RSVP required. Contact Wendy Mair (435) 671-2365 or hebervalleygunclub@earthlink.net.

June 18: Women On Target and BOW Beginning Shotgun Clinic. For new shooters. If you've never shot a shotgun before, or have only shot once or twice, this is the shotgun clinic for you. Space is limited. RSVP required. Contact Wendy Mair 435-671-2365 or hebervalleygunclub@earthlink.net.

June 13, 27, July 11, 25, Aug. 8, 22 and 27: Rocky Mountain Outfitters Ladies Day Summer Series. Women meet in Midway two days each month, June through August, for horseback riding, fly fishing, nature hiking and photography. A final Chuck Wagon Dinner for participants and their guests is scheduled for the end-of-season finale. Cost involved. Pre-registration required. For more information or to register, contact Kaylyn Freeman at (435) 654-1655 or e-mail rockymtnoutfitters@hebervalley.net.