Vermont Outdoor Adventure Based Training For Women

Thanks to everyone for your support as we are work to bring back more women's outdoor programs.
It's been a great year with more to come.

Check out our Doe Camp Nation page. 

If you have questions or would like to get on our email list and get notified for our next events email: doecamp@voga.org

Connect with like minded adventurous women by joining our new private group, Doe Camp Nation on Facebook.

With the help of hundreds of sponsors, instructors and volunteers, Vermont Outdoor Guide Association has been running Women's Doe Camp weekend retreats for over 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.

For more classes, visit our: Women's Outdoor Programs,

Map and Compass

Jessica Krebs, Outdoorsy Women Learning Survival Skills

Women's Outdoor Programs

Watch Doe Camp Instructor Jessie Krebs on MasterClass

Jessie is also a participant in the 9th season of Alone on HISTORY.

To find Jessie's next classes or for her contact information, go to OWLSSkills LLC

Upcoming Survival Doe Camps

March 18, 2023, Women's Survival Basics Class
This “crash course” in basic outdoor survival principles is excellent for those who are short on time, yet want to feel more confident in the outdoors. This is the perfect course for an introduction to core concepts that will help keep you centered and making healthy decisions if things get hairy. It's mostly lecture-style with some hands-on training on topics such as staying warm, building fires, signaling for help, navigation concepts, knife sharpening, building emergency shelters, and more. Minors 16 and 17 years of age are welcomed but must be accompanied by an adult. https://www.owlsskills.com/ Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=gbasktw2r0xoszeq

March 19, 2023, Women's Firecraft Class
Learn several different methods of making fire in survival situations.  We explore approaches for: finding and gathering various types of fuel; preparing fuels by breaking them down (or up!) into stages using different techniques; the fire triangle and how to modify fire lays (how to put fuel/wood on a fire) to fit form to function; ignition styles and concepts; finding and preparing tinder in various environments and conditions; a multitude of different uses for fire; and banking fire (keeping a fire going overnight so you don't have to start from scratch in the morning). Minors 16 and 17 years of age are welcomed but must be accompanied by an adult.  https://www.owlsskills.com/  Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=uwy2cfy5atfsjj4g

March 24-26, 2023, Women's Winter Intensive Survival Basics Weekend Course
Learn how to meet your basic survival needs in one of the harshest of environments: bitter cold.  Topics that are covered over the weekend are: how to most effectively use your clothing; various methods for sleeping warm; techniques to build and maintain a fire when you need it most; how to avoid and treat common cold injuries and first aid complications that occur only or more often in cold climates; signaling principles for wintry environments; systems and tools that can be used to aid in safe travel in various arctic conditions; shelter designs for cold environments with or without snow as a resource like debris huts, insulated A-frames, quinzees, snow caves, fighter trenches, tarp shelters, igloos, etc. Minors 16 and 17 years of age are welcomed but must be accompanied by an adult. https://www.owlsskills.com/ Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=3jwcfqfusysvhae9

March 25 and 26, One day Women's Winter Survival Intensives
We have added two new classes for the 25th and 26th of March, running concurrently with the winter weekend survival intensive. They are both One day Shortened Winter Survival Intensives, and they are limited to 8 people per day. Cost is $150
Link to Book for the 25th: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=ecazripucd2x6edc
Link to Book for the 26th: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=5ya33j10nhymeed8

June 17, 2023, Women's Survival Basics Class
This “crash course” in basic outdoor survival principles is excellent for those who are short on time, yet want to feel more confident in the outdoors. This is the perfect course for an introduction to core concepts that will help keep you centered and making healthy decisions if things get hairy. It's mostly lecture-style with some hands-on training on topics such as staying warm, building fires, signaling for help, navigation concepts, knife sharpening, building emergency shelters, and more. Young, old, injured or otherwise are welcome! Minors 16 and 17 years of age are welcomed but must be accompanied by an adult. https://www.owlsskills.com/ Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=gpb1drynjjlbeqzj
            
June 18, 2023, Women's Sheltercraft Class
Shelters are a primary survival tool with a wide variety of styles and building techniques depending on the environment and resources available.  They are a survivors second line of defense behind clothing and equipment, and basic knot craft is a natural pairing with shelters.  Building and living/staying in shelters can also be a lot of fun! Minors 16 and 17 years of age are welcomed but must be accompanied by an adult. https://www.owlsskills.com/  Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=vw6mx8h5se3xmh01

June 24 - 25, 2023, Women's Two-Day Navigation Course
This is a specialty course based on feedback from y’all!  It’s designed for beginner to intermediate folks that want a refresher and/or to deepen their skills.  If you’re brand new to navigation, this will be a great way to immerse yourself in the concepts and give you a solid starting point for exploring safely!  We’ll spend two days delving into all things navigational: scouting technique, styles of compasses and how to use them, map concepts and how to read them including reading topographical maps (ones with contour lines), how to read/find coordinates, magnetic variation, getting a personalized pace count, route finding principles, making and using a 6 point checklist, night navigation, natural navigation, and tidbits on using various improvised tools to help you move safely through different environments.  We will spend one night (Saturday) practicing a little night navigation, answer any questions you may have around the fire, and have a meal together!  Dinner will be provided on Saturday night.  You may camp out with us on Saturday night or find other accommodations if you prefer. https://www.owlsskills.com/  Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=m0vmvdwm5x3nkrds

Request class information at: owlsskills@gmail.com

Email doecamp@voga.org to get on the list or to suggest a class that you would like.

You are invited to join our private Facebook group: Doe Camp Nation for more information.

Thanks, stay safe and see you soon.

Who Sponsors Our Women's Programs

Jackson’s Lodge and Log Cabin Village is a destination of going-back-in-time to a Vermont lakeside resort built in the 1920s.

Outdoorsy Women Learning Survival Skills - To educate and empower women and other underrepresented demographics in the skills of surviving emergencies in global wilderness environments.

R & L Archery, Barre VT. Gear for Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Kayaking, Geocaching, Paintballing

Find everything you need for the outdoors, including fishing gear, archery equipment, firearms, and outdoor clothing at Vermont Field Sports

VASA is the statewide association of ATV clubs dedicated to developing, promoting and conserving responsible, family friendly ATV recreation throughout the state.

We’re dedicated to creating the world’s best socks, and prove it by standing behind them unconditionally.

Say good-bye to harmful petrochemical ingredients in your soap, and hello to natural materials.

American Meadows is one of the most respected online retailers of wildflower seeds, perennial plants, flower bulbs and vegetable seeds in all of North America.