Vermont Outdoor Recreation Directory

"There's no better time than Vermont."

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

Women's Outdoor Event Calendar

Adventure Based Programs for Women

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/  Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=gbasktw2r0xoszeq

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/  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 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/  Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=gpb1drynjjlbeqzj
            
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/  Sign up at: https://go.thryv.com/site/6zyw7zstcjg3hf6c/online-scheduling?event=vw6mx8h5se3xmh01

June 24 - 25, 2023, Women only 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


July 22-23, 2023, Women’s Whitewater Weekend
Come join us for a weekend of women on whitewater. It is a great opportunity to gather, learn, celebrate, and connect. If you’re new to kayaking and curious to see what it is all about, you can chose the Zoar Outdoor Beginner or Intermediate clinic options. We also have a two day Women’s Swiftwater Rescue Clinic run by women instructors this weekend. Our amazing women instructors will not only teach the skills of whitewater, but they will create a positive atmosphere to foster learning and connections! After paddling on Saturday, meet up at Zoar Outdoor for an evening get together for women paddlers. https://www.kayaklesson.com/paddler-resources/events/womens-weekend/

July 26 - 30, 2023, The OM Festival
Join us for 5 relaxing days in Vermont. The OM Festival is a magical gathering set on 150+ mountain side acres on a mountain in Southern Vermont overlooking the Battenkill River. We are delighted to be offering over 27+ classes in yoga, meditation, dance, flow arts and more.  We will have access to a 200 year old historic barn, lush gardens and meditation garden as well. Grab your mat  and round up your girlfriends to plan that wanderlust and dreamy Vermont transformational yoga retreat and vacation. Showcase Your Business at OM 2023, become a sponsor or apply to teach. https://theomfestival.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/

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.

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.

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.