Adventure Based Training For Women

Vermont Outdoor Guide Association has been running Doe Camp weekend retreats for 20 years. While the programs have changed over time, the mission has remained the same: too provide affordable hands-on outdoor skill development training for women throughout the state.

Map and Compass

Jessica Krebs, SERE Training

Women's Outdoor Programs

For more Women's Outdoor Programs, visit our Women's EVENTS page.

To get on our email list and get notified for our next events email: doecamp@voga.org

Thanks to all who helped to make this a special event!

In July, we hosted a women's survival weekend taught by instructor Jessie Krebs https://seretraining.us/about/

Thanks to the great weather (although it was hot and humid) and the many attendees who came ready to learn, it turned out to be a fun and educational weekend.

We are thinking about the future of Doe Camp and hope to get some feedback and suggestions on the direction of this great program.

We are also looking for individuals interested in coordinating the program.

Please send your thoughts and suggestions to doecamp@voga.org

Survival Doe Camp, July 25 - 26, 2020

Due to these uncertain times, we are waiving deposits for the weekend. Instead, if you'd like to attend just send us an email and let us know which classes you are interested in. Your spots will be saved in the order that they arrive in our office. We'll contact you as the event draws near. Email: doecamp@voga.org

Women’s Survival Weekend
July 25 - 26, 2020
North Ferrisburgh, VT.

We will be practicing social distancing and safety standards recommended by the State of Vermont. Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus

Taught by instructor Jessie Krebs, Head Instructor at SERE Training, Denver, CO
SERE Training

This is a drive in event with limited space. $50 per class. Camping out with Jessie on Saturday night is an option. This is a great opportunity to get some camping tips and there's no extra charge!! Just bring your gear.

Schedule and Class Descriptions

#1: July 25, 9 am to 1 pm:
Survive and Thrive Core Survival Basics:
What concepts and skills are most important if you find yourself in a survival situation in the back-country?  Are you lost? Dehydrated? Sick? Injured? Freezing? Learn how to prioritize your needs and get out of a situation-gone-bad quickly and safely.
Activity level: Mild. This class will be mostly outdoors if the weather is pleasant. The skills can be practiced inside though if the weather is grim. Please come prepared for outdoor excursions.
Optional extra items to bring: Knives to practice sharpening with (these can be kitchen knives if you don’t have a “survival” or pocket knife/multi-tool yet). Also, bring any Survival items you have questions about or want to practice skills with (maps, compasses, shelter pieces, fire starters, purchased survival or medical kits, etc.)

#2: July 25, 2-6 pm:
Knots: Focus on Improvised Packs:
Knots can be used in an incredible variety of applications, and those of you that have come to my classes before know what a knot-nerd I am!  In this class we'll identify and practice multiple ways to carry things like people, and gear.  Want to get someone out of the back-country who has mild or moderate injuries?  Car broke down in the middle of nowhere and you need to improvise a way to carry survival essentials for safety as you hike out?
Activity level: Moderate (getting up and down off the ground, holding tension while tying some hitches, picking up and carrying various things and each-other...).  This class will be mostly indoors.  We'll go outdoors once or twice to demonstrate or practice a particular knot, hitch, or lashing depending on the weather. Come prepared for outdoor excursions.
Optional extra items to bring: Rope or line you have questions about or want to practice with.

#3: July 26, 9 am to 1 pm:
Fire Building 101:
If you've struggled with building a fire and/or watched others spend an inordinate amount of time trying, even when the weather is pretty good, imagine trying to start one in an emergency situation, stressed out in bad weather.  Fire making is a skill based on concepts and principles that when known, adhered to, and practiced make the odds of success much higher.
Activity level: Moderate to high. This class will be mostly outdoors weather permitting. We will be learning and practicing how to find and prepare dry fuel in various conditions so we'll be doing some walking around and breaking/pounding on things.
Optional extra items to bring: Personal fire-starters you may have and want to practice with, sturdy clothes that are resistant to tearing/burning, leather gloves, sturdy footwear and a sleeping or yoga mat (nothing fancy or inflatable) to comfortably kneel/sit on the ground are all good ideas.

#4: July 26, 2-6 pm:
Wilderness First Aid - Signaling for Search and Rescue:
Signaling is a primary skill to know in any survival situation, and pairs nicely with injuries that need a speedy evacuation.  So in this class we will discuss common injuries and illnesses that may require advanced medical care sooner than later, how to treat them with what you may have around/with you until rescue shows up, and methods to assist SAR (Search And Rescue) in finding you.
Activity level: Mild to Moderate.  We will be pretty evenly split between indoor and outdoor activities with this one, spending about half our time outdoors if the weather is good.
Optional extra items to bring:  First aid kits you already have (please don't buy anything for this class, we will have materials to work with and our intention is to educate, so you know what to buy to fit your needs AFTER the class), and questions!

#5: Camping out with Jessie on Saturday night is an option. This is a great opportunity to get some camping tips and there's no extra charge!! Just bring your gear.

For all classes the optional items are just that, don't feel compelled to bring them.  Please do come prepared for any/all the classes by:
-wearing sturdy clothes (long pants and long sleeved shirt and sunhat recommended)
-wearing closed-toed footwear (boots recommended)
-bringing a full water bottle
-bringing at least two days worth of any essential medications (never know what can happen!)
-bringing lunch/snacks if needed for your length of stay
-note taking materials if desired
-light-weight folding chair or sit pad if you dislike standing for more than a few minutes at a time
-overnight camping gear if you plan on spending Saturday night with us

All classes are limited to women 18 years and older and will be taught by instructor Jessie Krebs in N. Ferrisburgh, VT. https://seretraining.us/about/

Questions? Email doecamp@voga.org or call 802-425-6211.

We’ll send you more details as the date approaches.

Thanks, stay safe and see you soon.

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