Women in the Outdoors Extravaganza is Nov. 2-5 at Tenkiller State Park

Here’s a heads up on an event that will fill up quickly as we get into September.

A few weeks ago, I penned a column about a men and boys-only event. This week, I wanted to highlight a wonderful ladies-only happening over in the Cookson Hills area.

This one’s for women ages 14 through adults, and the registration information will go out after Sept. 4. Women in the Outdoors (WITO) is putting on its 23rd annual extravaganza Nov. 2-5 at Tenkiller State Park.

It is designed for girls and women to come together and learn outdoor skills from outstanding instructors, but you’ve got to be quick on the draw because early-bird registration will end Oct. 6 — and final registration will end Oct. 20, according to the WITO extravaganza coordinator Leann Bunn.

Bunn’s day job is as the park naturalist for Tenkiller State Park, and she gives her all to each activity hosted at the Driftwood Nature Center there.

Bunn was honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation for her work during 2012. She was presented the Annie Oakley Award for her success in introducing women to conservation and the outdoors lifestyle.

WITO is a creation of the National Wild Turkey Federation and was formed in 1998. Women who seek outdoor adventures or more quality time with family and friends will find that connection through hundreds of Women in the Outdoors events hosted by NWTF chapters around the United States.

Want to learn outdoor skills to survive in case of a zombie apocalypse?

Many people have expressed interest in living off the grid. This program fits the bill and just continues to grow each year.

The cost for registration is $110 for one person and $200 for two persons. The early-bird registration, which ends Oct. 6, will enter you into a drawing for a prize package worth $75.

The slated classes as of the date of this article are:

• Backpacking 101.

• Sustainable Beekeeping.

• Turkey Box Call Making.

• Skeet Shooting.

• Archery.

• Lye Soap Making.

• Basket Weaving.

• Cherokee Baby Moccasins.

• Kayaking.

• Introduction to Fly Fishing & Tying.

• Gourmet Dutch Oven Cooking.

• Native American Clay Beads.

• Mentored Bow Hunt.

• Blacksmithing.

• Freeze-Dried and Dehydrating Foods.

• Fermenting Food.

• Pine Needle Baskets.

• Beginning Cross Stitch.

• Wilderness Survival Class.

• Orienteering.

• Barn Quilt Painting.

• Turkey Hunting 101.

• Foraging for Wild Edibles.

• Firestarting and Water Purification.

The base of operations will be at Tenkiller State Park, but some events will take place at a new venue — Armstrong Park in Vian.

For further information, call Bunn at (918) 776-8180 (press 2 for the Nature Center) or email her at leann.bunn@travelok.com.

Look on Facebook for the Women in the Outdoors-Tenkiller State Park page. It is also listed on the NWTF webpage at www.nwtf.org/events. It certainly will be a special time in a beautiful season of the year.

Bunn has been an outstanding ambassador for the naturalists of all Oklahoma state parks, and her work with the Women in the Outdoors program has been nationally recognized. She is a true inspiration to all.

Participants will form friendships and enjoy the great outdoors at this event.

Sorry men, this one is just for the ladies.

John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by emailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.