Over the past four years, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, a program sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, has introduced more than 800 women to skills as diverse as bird watching and firearms safety.

Nancy Smogor, education coordinator with DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Division, said yesterday this year's series of workshops again will provide an opportunity for women to learn largely nontraditional skills such as woodlore, fly fishing and wilderness survival.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman is an international program that was started nine years ago and has been under way in Maryland since 1995.

"We started with one workshop five years ago, and we are doing seven this year," said Smogor. "It seems to be working because people keep coming back."

Workshops can run one, two or three days, Smogor said, but the introductory course is a three-day outing with a base extensive enough to interest large groups.

"In the three-day programs, we offer 30 to 40 different classes, so there is diversity," said Smogor. "And we move around the state to highlight particular activities or resources."

This year, two introductory workshops will be held -- April 16-18 at the Broad Creek Boy Scout Reservation in Harford County and Aug. 20-22 at the 4-H Camp in Garrett County.

The course breakdown in the three-day workshops is equally separated into hunting and shooting activities, fishing and non-harvest pastimes such as birdwatching, hiking, biking, camp skills, cooking and map and compass.

Cindy Hawkins, who works as summer camp coordinator for the State Forest and Parks Service, enrolled in the three-day course held in Sandy Spring last August.

"It was wonderful, a terrific experience," she said. "It's really what got me out of being a couch potato."

Before taking the course, Hawkins said, she played golf with her husband on occasion, but found she spent much of her time indoors, whether at the office or at home.

"I'm approaching 50, and by taking these courses, it made me realize I needed to stop and take the time to do these things," she said. "These are healthy, worthwhile activities, and now that I have taken some of the basic courses, I want to learn more and take some of the other courses, like outdoors cooking and survival skills."

The cost of courses and workshops ranges from $55 for one-day sessions to $175 for the three-day, introductory programs. Fees include accommodations and meals.

Class sizes are limited to 100 and advance registration is required.

Information on the program is available from Smogor (301-478-2146), program registrar Dave Manning (410-260-8919) or online at www.dnr.state.md.us.

The schedule for the year is:

March 26-28: Survival skills weekend, 4-H Camp, Garrett County.

April 16-18: Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop, Broad Creek Boy Scout Reservation, Harford County.

May 23: Fly fishing workshop, Hunting Creek, Frederick County.

June 26-27: Overnight canoe trip, Green Ridge State Forest, Allegany County.

Aug. 20-22: Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop, 4-H Camp, Garrett County.

Sept. 11: Bass fishing workshop, Edwards Ferry, Montgomery County.

Oct. 23: Shotgun and sporting clays workshop, J and P Hunting Lodge, Queen Anne's County.

Pub Date: 3/18/99