Upcoming Events: Virginia Outdoor Women

This beginner-friendly class covers the fundamentals of archery, proper stance, shooting technique, and safe range etiquette. If you have your own archery equipment, feel free to bring what you have! Otherwise, all equipment will be provided.

To register through Freedom Outdoors, click the Registration button below. Once on the Freedom Outdoors website, click on the "RVA / DWR Archery" option to select classes/dates.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Archery Range. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

DWR is excited to offer an introductory course in orienteering in partnership with DCR/Pocahontas State Park and Central Virginia Orienteering Club! This event is open to everyone of all ages and skill levels!

Put away your smartphone and plot a course for adventure with this introduction to orienteering. Members from the Central Virginia Orienteering Club and The Let's Go Adventures (park) staff will demonstrate the basics of reading maps, pacing distances, and navigating cross country. Are you up to the challenge of navigating our orienteering course? This course is limited to 20 participants and ages 10 and up are recommended.

We will be meeting at the Visitor Center at Pocahontas State Park. Please dress for the weather and bring your own snacks/water. More information will be emailed in the days prior to the event. All equipment will be provided, but if you have your own compass, please feel free to bring it!

This course qualifies as the VOW @ the Backcountry II course for the Outdoor Skills Certificate in the Virginia Outdoor Women Program.

Beginning in 2026, the VOW Program will be hosting an annual Women's Mentored Hunting Virtual Series covering all topics related to hunting in Virginia. Virtual classes will be held every other week beginning on March 30th and concluding on August 31st. This series will cover hunting in general, and will not focus on any specific species, but instead is designed for beginners and women interested in hunting and need the basic information and resources to get started. Throughout the series, there will also be scheduled in-person opportunities and additional events/workshops throughout the state to promote a sense of community.

The Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) program's goal is to help women feel comfortable and confident in the outdoors - no matter their experience level. DWR is committed to developing a community of women who enjoy the outdoors, value the importance of conservation and outdoor recreation, and want to have opportunities for personal growth, independence, and empowerment.

Please NOTE: All virtual VOW courses do not qualify for any of the VOW Certificates. By registering for this event, you are automatically registered for ALL classes. Separate registration is not required.

Classes will generally be 45 minutes of instruction/presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Please see the registration page for class schedule and agenda.

This class is for archers who have learned the basics and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Equipment will be provided, but archers are strongly encouraged to bring their own equipment. Our trained instructors will assist archers with both compound and recurve bows and help archers with the fine details of their shot process.

To register through Freedom Outdoors, click the Registration button below. Once on the Freedom Outdoors website, click on the "RVA / DWR Archery" option to select classes/dates.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Archery Range. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

VOW is excited to offer a Women's Introduction to Flyfishing workshop as a follow up to our VOW Mentored Flyfishing Virtual Series! During this event, participants will take part in hands-on breakout sessions covering essential fishing skills, including fly casting practice, knot tying, rigging up, and fishing. This event also provides a welcoming space for women to network, share experiences, and build lasting connections with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. A fishing license is required for this event.

DWR is dedicated to fostering a community of women who enjoy the outdoors, recognize the importance of conservation and outdoor recreation, and seek opportunities for personal growth, independence, and empowerment.

VOW is excited to partner with Girls Who Hike VA & Floyd Safety Aware to offer a Wilderness First Aid Course!

PLEASE NOTE: This is a FEE course, and all fees will be paid directly to the instructor. Additional information will be emailed out prior to the event. This course IS NOT a beginner friendly course. You MUST be skilled in backpacking/backcountry camping and have all necessary equipment. This course is in a REMOTE area without cell service. See below for additional details.

American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Women's Backcountry Experience, brought to you by Floyd Safety Aware LLC, Girls Who Hike Virginia, and Virginia Outdoor Women.

What to Expect:

American Red Cross WFA Course will be completed over 2 days beginning Saturday, September 12th at 8:00 am and finishing Sunday September 13th by 3pm. Current Adult CPR/AED certification is required to be completely trained in WFA. Attendees should bring proof of CPR/AED certification OR come early on SATURDAY ready to begin at 8:00am to complete that portion. The class is a mixture of hands-on experience and lecture. Participants must be present for all sessions in order to receive a completion card.

This course will take place in a primitive backcountry setting; attendees should plan to spend the entire time in a remote outdoor setting. There is no potable water, no cell service, a pit-toilet, and limited access to electricity. I will have a handwashing station set up. Attendees are welcome to camp overnight on 7x7 wooden platforms or claim a spot in the first-come, first-serve bunkhouse. No additional charge for camping. The nearest hotels are at least 30 minutes away off of I-81 in Dublin or Christiansburg.

Course Fees:

Wilderness First Aid ONLY: $130 paid to Rebbecca Jackson at time of class (exact cash or check only)
OR
Wilderness First Aid Adult CPR/AED: $160 paid to Rebbecca Jackson at time of class (exact cash or check only)

Please see the registration page for full details, including schedule, packing list, and instructor contact information.

This beginner-friendly class covers the fundamentals of archery, proper stance, shooting technique, and safe range etiquette. If you have your own archery equipment, feel free to bring what you have! Otherwise, all equipment will be provided.

To register through Freedom Outdoors, click the Registration button below. Once on the Freedom Outdoors website, click on the "RVA / DWR Archery" option to select classes/dates.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Archery Range. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

This class is for archers who have learned the basics and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Equipment will be provided, but archers are strongly encouraged to bring their own equipment. Our trained instructors will assist archers with both compound and recurve bows and help archers with the fine details of their shot process.

To register through Freedom Outdoors, click the Registration button below. Once on the Freedom Outdoors website, click on the "RVA / DWR Archery" option to select classes/dates.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Archery Range. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

This class is for archers who have learned the basics and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Equipment will be provided, but archers are strongly encouraged to bring their own equipment. Our trained instructors will assist archers with both compound and recurve bows and help archers with the fine details of their shot process.

To register through Freedom Outdoors, click the Registration button below. Once on the Freedom Outdoors website, click on the "RVA / DWR Archery" option to select classes/dates.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Archery Range. This event can be used to complete the Hunting Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.