Becoming an Outdoors Woman program as electrifying as ever

As a little girl, Melissa Hileman was told to never play with electricity, especially around water. Friday afternoon, Hileman was waist-deep in a stream, pushing an anode with enough electrical current to stun fish that floated to the surface.

“This is just so awesome,” said Hileman, protected from the three amps by neoprene waders. “I knew absolutely nothing about this so every thing is brand new. I’m learning so much, so fast.”

So it’s gone for probably more than 1,000 women who have attended the Kansas’ Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program since it debuted at Rock Springs 4-H Center 20 years ago.

Jami McCabe, director of the Kansas program, said the first Becoming an Outdoors Woman program was held in Wisconsin in 1991. It came to Kansas in 1994, and is still sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

“It used to be the dads only took their sons and the the girls got left at home,” said McCabe. “This is a way for women to learn a lot about the outdoors, in a great environment.”

Over the 20 years the format for the Kansas program has remained basically the same. Women enroll in four half-day classes, and all are taught in a very hands-on manner at Rock Springs, a 700-acre facility near Junction City that has a variety of shooting ranges, fishing in streams, ponds and nearby lakes and large amounts of towering woodlands and prime prairie for other classes.

Most years the 100-woman limit has been easily reached; this year there are 83 women. Forty-three subjects were offered this year, ranging from all kinds of fishing and shooting to outdoor photography and basic archeology.

McCabe said the Kansas program has gained a reputation as one of the top Becoming an Outdoors Woman events, which are now held in most states, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She estimated women from at least 12 other states have come to Kansas. Last year four generations from one family, totaling 21 women, gathered from a variety of states to attend the Kansas program.

“This year,37 percent of the women are first-timers, and that’s what we like to see, people we can help get started,” McCabe said.

She, herself, was a student, at the first few programs, then an instructor. Under her 13-ear directorship, the program has also branched out into an additional spring weekend at Rock Springs, and day-long events held around the state.

Mica Nelson, from Pratt, recently heard about the program from friends, about the time another friend took her fishing a few times.

“I quickly learned I absolutely loved (fishing) but knew I really needed to hone my outdoors skills,” Nelson said as she unhooked a channel cat she caught in the Introduction to Fishing class. “I also have two little boys who are depending on me to become a little more outdoorsy. I can’t wait to take them.”

Cherie Hett, from Merriam, has a husband and son who know a lot about the outdoors. It was her third time to participate in the program at Rock Springs. She said it’s much easier to learn skills from instructors who are qualified to teach the courses, and not part of her family, too.

“This is a lot less intimidating and more fun,” said Hett, who was signed up for a variety of fishing classes. “I get a lot fewer (negative) comments than I’d get at home. These instructors are so passionate about what we’re doing and helping us. They’re what really makes this all so special, and what keeps me coming back.”

McCabe said about one-third of the instructors are women, up from when the program began. Many instructors have been teaching their courses for more than 10 years. Several have taught every year since 1994.

Through those 20 years, Tommie Berger has taught the Introduction to Fishing class. So far, every one of his students has caught fish. Some absolute beginners have caught more than a dozen.

“I really enjoy it, and they obviously enjoy it, too. We get so much positive feedback,” said Berger. “You know, when you teach kids they often take it for granted. Not these ladies, they’re really appreciative. They almost always come up and tell you thank you. But when it comes to excitement, they’re just like kids, too.”

This story was originally published September 20, 2014 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Becoming an Outdoors Woman program as electrifying as ever."