Outdoor Adventure Training and Retreats For Women

Vermont Outdoor professionals and organizations offer outdoor challenges, skill development and educational programs for women throughout the year, including VOGA's original Doe Camp Retreat. This page includes our Women's Adventure Event Calendar and businesses that offer women specific programming. Choose from a variety of fun and educational opportunities and activities.

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

Due to many requests, we just created a private Facebook group page for adventurous women.
You can connect with like minded women, post day trips and outings and invite members to attend, post gatherings, share tips on different activities/resources, ask for advice, post or find women's outdoor events, share and ask for outdoor health information, get discounts on gear/lodging/services, post photos, videos and more!

Firearms Safety for Women

Retreats and Outdoor Adventures

Women's Outdoor Programs

There are few new programs on our radar at this time but as we recover from COVID and events become available, they will be posted here.

COVID-19 in Vermont. There is new information for people traveling to Vermont.

Adventure Based Programs for Women

Appalachian Trail Adventures
Hiking, Caving, Kayaking
An award winning hiking spa, based in Killington, Vermont. With more than 25 years of experience, Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA) is a one-stop adventure destination for outdoor enthusiasts, couples, girl getaways, families, friends and single travelers. We provide both personalized, All-Inclusive Hiking Vacations and Guided Day Adventures throughout the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Backpacking For Slowpokes
Stowe and Central Vermont
Guided Hikes, Overnight Camping, Private Hires, Winter Snowshoeing with Your Dog, Summer Overnight Backpacking, Multi-Day Full Moon, Multi-Day LGBTQ+
Body positive overnight backpacking adventures for women who prefer to stop and check out the view. Whether you need to get away from the city and submerge yourself in Vermont's backcountry or simply want a bad ass, super different femme weekend, you’ve landed home.

Horses and Pathfinders
Moretown, VT
Women’s Lead-Herd-Ship Sessions - Designed for women who are ready to declare transformation, our Women’s Lead-Herd-Ship Inner Circle will explore true leadership for yourself, your vision, your work and every relationship in your life. All learning is in-person, grounded, and safe. Each week we take our time and space. This a non-riding program and prior horse experience is not required.

Magical Earth Retreats
Southern Vermont
Summer Day Camps, Women's, Family and Adult Retreats
Readsboro, VT
Magical Earth Retreats provides the space, place and opportunity for women to re- connect with mother nature with the goal of changing the destructive route of the human race one child/person at a time with love, light, peace and creativity.

O.W.L.S. Skills: Outdoorsy Women Learning Survival Skills
Jessie Krebs started this school with the dream of women working together and supporting each other in a safe and challenging way. Women are survivors without training. We simply push on…or we don’t make it. Survival is about a lot more than physical skills, and survival takes many forms depending on the environment. Humans have been passing down wilderness skills for years, but women were often excluded. This is obvious when we look at most survival schools today. At OWLSSkills, women support and nourish each other to express and grow via training. With the physical skills of making a fire, tying up a shelter, or leading an off-trail hike, come the non-tangible skills of empowerment and confidence. We are stronger together. Come join us in being wilder women. Watch Jessie Krebs on MasterClass.

Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School
Alpine Mountaineering, Ice and Rock Climbing
Burlington VT
Petra Cliffs offers a complete outdoor instruction curriculum, catering to groups of all sizes and to individuals of all ages and abilities. From one-on-one technical skill instruction to group teambuilding, we consistently meet the needs of our diverse clientele.

Quimby Country
Northeast Kingdom
Biking, Birding, Moose & Nature Watching, Canoeing & Kayaking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, Hunting,
Averill, VT
Quimby’s 3-night women’s retreat offers flexibility, allowing participants to design their own experience and embrace all the amenities Quimby’s has to offer, while taking advantage of professional instructors and staff. We have designed a perfect getaway retreat for you and your friends, and we look forward to sharing Quimby’s with you!

Vermont Adventure Tours
Southern, Central - Vermont
Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Winter Camping,  Women's Challenges, Youth Programs, Winter Activities
Rutland, VT
Imagine doing an adventure tour through Vermont and New England that is perfectly blended to match your needs for adrenaline and serenity. Mix and match elements to create a special custom tour package suited to your unique tastes. Experience spectacular mountains, crisp fresh air, lush forests, wildlife and an abundance of adventure on an adventure holiday designed to fit your specific time frame, budget and interests.

Women's Outdoor Event Calendar

December 18, 2022, Vermont Defensive Carry Course - Women Only -
Waterbury, VT - Do you plan on exercising your right to carry a weapon for self-defense?  Do you want to better understand the weapons carry and self-defense laws of Vermont? What about how to properly and safely carry a weapon on your person?  If so, this is the course for you!! In our class, we will cover: Vermont laws on use of force and self-defense. Vermont gun laws on where you can and cannot carry, reciprocity, and much more…. Handgun fundamentals! We will teach you proper stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger press, and how to perform under stress. Scenarios! We are going to train your brain on what to do during a crisis. We are going to help speed up your decision-making process so that you can make the right choice under a tremendous amount of stress! Ages 14+ are welcome in the event. https://www.focusedfire-training.com/event/vermont-defensive-carry-course-women-only-waterbury-vt-2/

February 2 - 3, 2023, Women's Alpine Adventure
Okemo - Women's Alpine Adventures participants take part in a program designed exclusively for women, by women. Led by some of the best women instructors in the business, we provide a supportive and social environment where participants quickly overcome fear, boost their confidence and gain skills. Whether you join the intensive two-day program or immerse yourself in the three-day program, you will come away with a sense of accomplishment. https://www.okemo.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/category/womens-alpine-adventure.aspx

February 4, 2023, Park Affair
Killington is proud to host the return of Park Affair! Park Affair’s park-focused progression camp events are designed for all snowboarders who are comfortable in a women-led space, and open to all ability levels! This is a 14+ event but exceptions can be made. https://www.killington.com/things-to-do/events/events-calendar/park-affair

March 2 - 3, 2023, Women's Alpine Adventure
Okemo - Women's Alpine Adventures participants take part in a program designed exclusively for women, by women. Led by some of the best women instructors in the business, we provide a supportive and social environment where participants quickly overcome fear, boost their confidence and gain skills. Whether you join the intensive two-day program or immerse yourself in the three-day program, you will come away with a sense of accomplishment. https://www.okemo.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/category/womens-alpine-adventure.aspx

March 18, 2023, Women's only 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/

March 19, 2023, Women's only 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/

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/

June 17, 2023, Women's only 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/
            
June 18, 2023, Women's only 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/

September 14 - 17, 2023, Women's Running Retreat
Craftsbury Outdoor Center - This four-day intensive retreat is all about celebrating your running journey through a holistic framework. Our days together will include exercises of the body and mind to build confidence and to give you the skills to realize your running dreams. No matter how many times you’ve laced up, all are welcome. Any age, any pace, any dream, any woman, any she/they are welcome. https://www.craftsbury.com/running-camp-schedule/womens-running-weekend

September 15-17, 2023, Quimby Country Women’s Weekend
Quimby’s 2-night Women’s Weekend offers flexibility, allowing participants to design their own experience and embrace all the amenities Quimby’s has to offer, while taking advantage of professional instructors and staff.  Situated on over 1,000 acres, Quimby’s allows for ample exploration and quiet moments allowing you to fully feel connected to the natural environment and one ’s needs.  Our Women’s Weekend will replenish and inspire you to try new things and make new connections. https://quimbycountry.com/2023-womens-retreat/

Archery Classes

Please Support Our Sponsors

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

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

The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters in Vermont. Search by state.

Women Training Women - Providing education and training of women who are interested in learning about firearms, firearm safety and the fun of shooting.

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

Outdoor pants designed so everyone can answer nature’s call.

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

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

Rack N' Reel is a store specializing in sporting goods, archery, guns, ammunition, outdoors, work and technical apparel, camping, kayaking and other outdoor ventures. Rack N' Reel 5343 Ethan Allen Highway, New Haven, VT.

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