BOW Weekend Workshop
October 2-4, 2026 at Fort Robinson State Park
Registration for BOW Weekend 2026 is now full.
BOW Weekend Workshop is our cornerstone event, held annually on the first weekend in October. This three-day workshop includes sessions taught by expert instructors in a supportive environment conducive to learning, making friends and having fun! Participants complete four sessions of their choosing; session workshop topics include hunting, shooting, fishing, ecological education and more.
Designed primarily for women ages 18 and over, BOW Weekend is especially for you if:
- you have never tried these activities and want the opportunity to learn;
- you are a beginner looking to improve your skills;
- you are familiar with some outdoor activities, but would like to try your hand at new challenges;
- you are looking for the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.
2026 Workshop
The 2026 workshop will be held October 2-4 at Fort Robinson State Park. See details and registration below.
Registration for BOW Weekend is now full.
Registration opened at 10 a.m. on April 10, 2026, for first-time participants and any repeat participants who bring a new participant. The repeat participant must register on the same day as their invited new participant, and list each other as roommates.
The registration date for repeat attendees without a first-time participant guest opened on May 1, 2026. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-served basis; however, there is no guarantee seats will be available in May.
Limited funds are available for a partial scholarship valued at $150 for Nebraska residents only. Registrants should submit their scholarship application with their BOW application. Preference will be given as follows:
- First-time participants
- Nebraska residents
- Financial need
- Outdoor enthusiast who wants to learn hunting, fishing, and/or shooting sports skills
- Ability to impact others with newly learned skills
Scholarship deadline: May 1, 2026
Includes instruction, program materials, use of demonstration equipment, all meals, and lodging.
- $300 – Standard registration (includes meals and lodging)
- $150 – Scholarship rate (for those applying for a scholarship)
- Additional $50 – Optional lodging if arriving Thursday night
Participants will stay in renovated cabins at historic Fort Robinson State Park. The cabins, referred to as Adobe Officer Quarters and Comanche Hall once housed soldiers dating back to 1887.
Cabins are shared accommodations, and participants should expect to share rooms with other attendees.
Optional Thursday night lodging is available for an additional $50.
A Nebraska State Park entry permit is required for vehicles entering Fort Robinson State Park.
- Full refunds will be provided for cancellations made before July 15.
- Cancellations made after July 15 will receive a refund minus a $150 processing fee.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after Aug. 1, 2026. However, you may send a substitute participant in your place.
Activity selections
View activities for the 2026 BOW Weekend workshops classes below. Participants can choose up to four classes of their choosing. Please note that classes fill up quickly and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note:
- A Nebraska State Park Permit is required for all vehicles at Fort Robinson State Park.
- Classes are subject to change before the event. If a class cannot be held as planned, participants will be offered an alternative class.
- Class size is determined by available space, transportation and equipment.
- In extreme weather situations, outdoor classes may be changed accordingly to provide safety for all involved.
- Nebraska Becoming an Outdoors-Woman reserve the right to determine proficiency to participate in a class.
Class setting/location: Indoor and outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
What to bring: Dress to be outside. Wear hiking shoes or boots.
Get ready for a collaborative discussion, hike, and backcountry camp setup. We’ll explore hiking gear, learn about trail safety, navigate Leave No Trace Principles, and share tips and tricks of the trade. In this course we’ll start with a “duffle shuffle,” breaking down what to think about when preparing for your hike. Finally, we’ll set up a mock backcountry campsite to get more comfortable with what an overnight trip involves.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
In this beginning archery class participants will learn step by step instruction on correct shooting techniques and form, nocking an arrow, targeting, and release techniques, along with basic archery terminology and safety. This is a fun, hands on experience that promotes archery as a healthy lifetime activity. Participants will be doing live shooting. Equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Low; there will be no actual fishing during this class.
This indoor class will offer hands-on instruction from start to finish, covering equipment, places to go, and landing the fish. Learn about equipment, knot tying, choosing bait, loading a reel and casting and fishing terminology in this simple approach to fishing. Equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Low
What to bring: 2026 Nebraska Fishing Permit
Class will cover all aspects of fly-fishing, including casting, equipment used, instructions on reading water, insects and their hatches and practice various knots. Equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
Get lots of coaching on how to safely handle, load and shoot rifles and muzzleloaders. Learn marksmanship and shooting techniques along with shooting rifles used in common hunting scenarios. Equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Indoor and outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
What to bring: Dress to be outside. Wear hiking shoes or boots.
Learn about the history and ecology of the bighorn sheep of the Pine Ridge and how these animals were reintroduced from declining populations. Find out what the challenges are in keeping the herd healthy and at suitable populations. Learn about the studies that are conducted on these majestic animals living near Fort Robinson State Park’s buttes.
Class setting/location: Indoor and outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
What to bring: Dress to be outside. Wear hiking shoes or boots.
Increase your enjoyment of bird watching and learn different types of bird habitat, as well as seasonal and daily cycles necessary for watching birds. Learn how to identify birds by habitat, sound, color, and field markings. Second half of the class will be spent outside birding.
Class setting/location: Indoor and outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
Understanding the fundamentals of food preservation will give you the knowledge you need to get started preserving food. Transform your garden produce into delicious foods that will keep for months on a shelf. Learn the simple and satisfying process of making foods that fit your lifestyle and find a deep satisfaction of putting up your own food. Equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Indoor and outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
What to bring: Phone or tablet with cell service. Comfortable walking shoes.
Learn how to use your phone to explore public lands for outdoor adventures like hiking, hunting, fishing, birding, and kayaking. This class covers navigation and trail-finding apps — as well as tools to help identify birds, wildlife, and plants — so you can be connected while disconnecting to enjoy the outdoors.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
What to bring: Comfortable shoes or boots
This class will cover the biology and habits of deer. Learn the essentials of hunting these animals from gear, firearms, safety and hunting strategies through hands-on field experience and simulated hunting situations.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
Explore Nebraska’s diverse ecosystems in this engaging class. From the prairies, wetlands, Sandhills, and Pine Ridge, participants will discover the plants, animals, and natural processes that shape our state. Learn to identify plants and wildlife, understand how habitats work in each environment along with the types of animals that live in each area. Gain a deeper understanding of ecology, habitat, and your role as environmental stewards.
Class setting/location: Indoor
Fitness level: Low
Please note: Strong scented cleaning solvents will be used.
Learn how to clean firearms with methods and products that make regular maintenance easy. Plus, try out shortcuts and tricks with hands-on practice. All equipment and materials will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Low
This course teaches basic game and fish cleaning techniques using fish and pheasants while learning practical tips for processing wild game. We’ll also practice knife sharpening and share recipe ideas to help you turn your harvest into a savory meal on the table. All equipment and materials will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
This course will cover the basics of handgun shooting. Safety, handling and shooting techniques will be covered as well as how and what to hunt with handguns. Participants will target shoot using various hunting handguns. All equipment and materials will be provided.
Class setting/location: Indoor & outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes
Learn about the history, buildings, people, and exhibits of Fort Robinson and discover their stories at this outpost that witnessed 75 years of army life. On this shuttle tour, your guide will explain the Fort’s complex history from the Red Cloud Agency, prisoner of war camp, Buffalo Soldiers, dog training and more.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
This class will cover the basics of bowhunting, crossbows and equipment. You will shoot at various 3-D animal targets from the ground and an elevated stand; learn tree stand selection, safety, preparation for hunting, tracking and preparation and care of game.
Class setting/location: Indoor
Fitness level: Low
Learn basic firearm safety, gun handling, identifying guns and the use of various firearms and types of ammunition. Participants will gain confidence and knowledge about firearms. No live shooting will be done.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: High
What to bring: Wear pants and hard-toed shoes or boots for safety.
This introductory class teaches the basics of horse behavior and care. Learn about characteristics, grooming, and basic riding concepts. Then put your skills to the test on our trail ride that takes you up into the buttes to see nature from a unique viewpoint.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: High
Step into the field for an exciting mock turkey hunt experience! Explore the fascinating biology and behaviors of the wild turkey while learning proven hunting strategies and tactics. We’ll cover gear and clothing, camouflage techniques, turkey calling, shotgun patterning, selecting the right choke, and safe firearm practices. No live hunting, just hands-on learning, skill building, and plenty of outdoor know-how! All equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
These days, camping can look different for everyone. From tent and car camping to glamping or hanging a hammock in a tree for the night, this class will show how to set up various types of campsites and all the essential gear needed for a great experience. Learn about new tools and special hacks for making camping easy and affordable. There will be hands-on demonstrations using various types of tents and equipment, how-to tips, where to go, and fun things to do while camping.
Class setting/location: Indoor & outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
What to bring: Personal equipment optional
Learn outdoor photography from our award winning Nebraskaland Magazine staff. The class will cover some of the basics of photography, including exposure, composition and light, as well as the camera settings and techniques you can use to improve your landscape and wildlife photos.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
What to bring: All equipment provided, but it is optional to bring own gear. 2026 Nebraska Fishing License.
Learn the basics of fishing in this hands-on workshop! We’ll cover equipment selection, casting techniques, knot tying, and tips for landing your first catch. Perfect for beginners ready to get started on the water.
Class setting/location: Indoor
Fitness level: Moderate to high
Build confidence and safety outdoors through situational awareness, boundary-setting, and practical selfdefense strategies. Participants will learn how to recognize potential risks, trust their instincts, and respond effectively while enjoying outdoor activities.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Low
This class will show multiple outdoor cooking methods which may include Durch Oven, Can Cooker, smoking meat, and other options. We will feature wild game recipes and cooking methods. All equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Moderate
Learn proper techniques in gun handling, safety, and get tips on how to shoot shotguns. Participants will shoot clay targets in a field setting. All equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Outdoor
Fitness level: Low
This class will cover how to properly hitch a bumper-pull and gooseneck trailer to a vehicle, safely maneuver and pull trailers of different sizes, and back them into a parking spot. This is a great opportunity to try your hand at trailering, backing and pulling skills in a non-judgement setting. All equipment provided by Fort Robinson State Park. Must have a valid driver’s license.
Class setting/location: Indoor & outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
This class will teach predator hunting and trapping basics and how to call a wide variety of predators. Learn about calls and calling techniques, equipment and tricks of hunting predators. Then, learn about the basics of trapping, what kinds of traps to use, scents used and more. Class will go on a short hike to observe signs and learn tracking skills. All equipment will be provided.
Class setting/location: Indoor & outdoor
Fitness level: Low & moderate
Discover the flavors of the forest in this class. There is an entire grocery store of delicious, local, wild foods just waiting outside your backdoor. We will focus on how to identify key features of wild edible plants, knowing when and what to sustainably harvest, how to prepare, and even sample some wild flavors. May go for a short hike.
Participants in the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Workshop walk across the Parade Ground at Fort Robinson State Park. Photo by Eric Fowler, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission/Nebraskaland Magazine
Women shoot during the Intermediate Shotgun Shooting class at the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Workshop at Fort Robinson State Park. Photo by Eric Fowler, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission/Nebraskaland Magazine
Women learn how to bowhunt from a tree stand during the Intermediate Archery class at Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Workshop at Fort Robinson State Park. Photo by Eric Fowler, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission/Nebraskaland Magazine
Women watch and photograph the sunrise as part of the Outdoor Photography class during the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Workshop at Fort Robinson State Park. Photo by Eric Fowler, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission/Nebraskaland Magazine
Contact
If you have questions about our BOW Weekend Workshops, please contact Julia Plugge.
