Twice a year Amanda is lucky enough to get to take a much-needed escape from work and home and reconnect with the outdoors through a fabulous program called Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW).
She discovered this fantastic conference through a community group called Texas Outdoor Women’s Network (TOWN).
When Amanda moved to Texas in 2010, she began looking for a way to meet new people and someone suggested she join a local TOWN chapter, where groups of women meet together monthly to discuss outdoor and environmental issues and plan regular outings. It gave her a chance to connect with women who have similar interests and make new friends. Through TOWN, she learned about the BOW conference when a couple of fellow TOWNies were about to attend one. She signed up, and had no idea what a great time she was in for.
BOW is a conference hosted twice a year by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) designed to give women an opportunity to come together and try new outdoor activities in a non-threatening environment –without any men to tell you that you’re doing it wrong. 😉 For a small fee, TWPD provides food, lodging, and four classes including equipment and instructors. Imagine being at camp, but with better food and people you actually want to be around. Classes cover the gamut, so there is something for everyone: Rifle and Pistol, Fishing Basics, Geocaching, Camping, Land Navigation, Bow Hunting… the list goes on and on.
Unfortunately, with all of her travel this year, Amanda has not had time to participate in her normal TOWN meetings or activities, but she always makes time for two weekends a year to attend this fantastic conference. The women she has met are inspiring and amazing. The skills she has learned encourages her to be more active and healthy. And the memories are unforgettable.
Amanda says “For anyone who is interested, almost every state has a BOW conference. Just Google your state name and “Becoming an Outdoor Woman” to find the one in your area. For any Texas women who read this, please join us in November for the 25th Anniversary of Texas BOW.”
Amanda is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Hostway and has been with the company for a year and a half. Amanda has her BBA in Marketing and is an alumnus of Loyola University in New Orleans.