Upcoming Events: Virginia Outdoor Women

Registration for this virtual series opens February 27th @ 8:00am!

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.

DWR is excited to offer an Introduction to Flyfishing workshop! 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. Click the registration link to view the event structure/agenda.

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

VOW is excited to partner with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Pocahontas State Park to offer VOW @ the Backcountry II - Orienteering.

Put away your smartphone and plot a course for adventure with this introduction to orienteering. 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.

Please dress for the weather and bring your own snacks/water. Meet at the Visitor Center. More information will be emailed in the days prior to the event.

Girls Who Hike Virginia and Virginia Outdoor Women are teaming up to offer an Advanced Hiking Workshop: Intro to Backpacking, designed to help experienced hikers take the next step into overnight adventures. This hands-on, learning experience combines a practical instruction on backpacking gear, camp setup, food systems, water filtration, Leave No Trace practices for the backcountry as well as touching on basic emergency survival skills. This program is ideal for those ready to build confidence, learn new skills, and transition from day hikes to planning their first backpacking trips.

The workshop runs from 1 pm - 5 pm and will include a short group hike.

More information/details will be sent to registrants prior to the event. Registration closes at 5 pm the day before the event.

Successful hunting and outdoor adventure depends on good planning and preparation, especially with the skills needed to survive the unexpected. When it comes to the outdoors, hunting and hiking pose the greatest risk of becoming lost, or worse; being lost, injured and unprepared to survive the elements. When your cell phone loses power and your GPS can’t find a signal, your best hope for making it through, are the skills you’ll learn in this 4-hour block of hands-on, survival training. Led by expert instructors, you’ll practice advanced techniques for making fire in difficult situations. You’ll discover the most efficient methods of using essential survival gear. And, you’ll learn to use those special features of map, compass and the natural surroundings guaranteed to keep you out of trouble, or enable self-rescue when the worst happens. Bring a friend and let us help get you ready for your next outdoor adventure.

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

Every successful hunting or hiking adventure begins with good planning and preparation, plus the ability to survive when things go wrong. Hunters and day hikers are the most vulnerable to becoming lost and hungry for days in the back country. The Back Woods Survival II course will teach you the most essential gear, how to make an emergency fire, how to find your way using timeless natural navigation techniques, and how to find emergency food among common edible plants, fruits, and berries. Bring a friend and learn how to prepare to make the most out of every outdoor adventure.

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

Registration for this virtual series opens April 17th @ 8:00am.

Beginning in 2026, the VOW Program will be hosting an annual Women's Mentored Flyfishing Virtual Series covering all topics related to flyfishing in Virginia. Virtual classes will be held every other week beginning on May 20th and concluding on September 5th. This series will cover flyfishing in general, and will not focus on any specific fish species, but instead is designed for beginners and women interested in flyfishing 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, EXCEPT the final workshop on Sept. 5th. Separate registration is required for the in-person workshop and will be a first come - first served basis at the conclusion of the August 12th virtual class.

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