History of BOW and
TOWN
compiled fall, 2000
History of Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW)
BOW is the brainchild of Christine Thomas.
She conceived the idea when she realized that women in particular
were not being given the opportunity to learn outdoors skills in a
non-threatening, supportive atmosphere. BOW's are now occurring in 44
states and 8 Canadian Provinces. Texas is the most active state with
5 workshops a year, with Florida and California closing in with 4
workshops each a year.
Christine L. Thomas -
Biography
Christine Thomas is Associate Dean and
professor of resource management at the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. In addition to
role as a university educator, Thomas has developed a program that
teaches women outdoor skills, "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman." She has a
B.S. in biology from Central Michigan University, an M.S.in Water
Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Ph.D.
in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is
the first female tenured full professor in the college and teaches
"Resource Policy and Law," "Natural Resources and Public Relations"
and "Integrated Resource Management."
BOW at Texas Parks and Wildlife from
Steve Hall
* 1st Workshop Oct. '93 BOW - (Brownwood)
Started by Christine Thomas and Steve Hall
* National BOW Advisory Group - Steve Hall
('93 to present)
* 2nd Workshop Apr. '94 BOW - (Pineywoods)
Steve Hall, Debbie Bunch and Vicki Fite
* 3rd Workshop May ' 94 BOW - (Hunt -
Waldemar) "
* 4th Workshop Oct. '94 BOW - (Brownwood)
Steve, Debbie, Karl Cloninger
* Karl has been to everyone since....(he
was hired as education's outreach coordinator in 1994)
* Karl started the TOWN Concept and
delegated to Debbie Bunch the Coordinator role in 1995/96
TOWN CHAPTERS IN ORDER OF START DATE
(Dallas seems to have had 2 chapters at different times)
Houston -Sandi Webb - began in
1993-1994
Houston TOWN was the original TOWN chapter,
organized and built by the sweat of brow of Karen Mauro, Patti
Carothers, Monica Myska, Terry Webb, Camilla McDonald and Debra
Smart. It was started in 1993-1994 after the six ladies got together
at a BOW with Karl Cloninger and Debbie Bunch and came up with the
idea of a home town group. At that time it was thought that the
ladies at BOW learned skills, went home and didn't further these
skills as they had no other ladies to do the activities with.
Subsequently, a networking organization was conceived and the six
ladies went home to birth it. These six ladies labored for many years
to organize, fund, promote and birth this organization and should be
lauded for all their hard work. Houston now as three active groups
that often times do activities together. TOWN in Houston and
subsequently the State of Texas would not be where it is today
without those tireless ladies efforts and their willingness to run
with the concept.
Dallas - Sharon Fahlberg - this
incarnation began officially in March 1999
The Dallas chapter of TOWN began officially
in March 1999. We consider ourselves just babies. Here is how we got
started. My twin sister Suzi Murphy found out about TOWN and BOW from
a friend of her husbands several years ago. She was very involved in
the Mid-Cities group and he relayed some information about trips etc.
to us. Unfortunately, we could never make a meeting due to the
location and time of the meeting so it took awhile to find out about
BOW. We registered for our first BOW workshop and headed to Balcones
Springs in August 1998. We were so impressed by the workshop and the
people there. It was great to see all these women having a wonderful
time participating in outdoor sports that we had to learn more about
TOWN.
We spoke to Debbie Bunch who said at one
time there was a Dallas chapter, but it had moved to the Mid-Cities
several years ago and currently there was not a Dallas group. Then
she said how would we like to start one. Our initial reaction was NO
- we don't know anything about it. However, the more we thought
about, the more we decided this was something Dallas needed to have.
We knew there were other women out there who felt like us: women who
loved the outdoors but hadn't a clue where to go in the Dallas area
and needed others to "play" with. Debbie put us in touch with Malee
Jones who had volunteered earlier to help out with a Dallas TOWN
group, but didn't want to start it by herself. The three of us met
(Sharon, Suzi and Malee) and the rest is history.
I first went to Oshman's in Dallas and
talked to the manager (Jim Jones) about the group. He was totally
supportive of what we were doing and gave us the basketball court for
our meetings. He also helps us to promote TOWN whenever he can. Once
we got our meeting location, I set up an account at the bank for our
group, printed flyers and distributed them to local outfitters. TPWD
did an initial mailing to workshop participants in our area telling
them about the new TOWN group. At the first TOWN meeting we had 25
people show up and 23 joined on the spot.
Since that initial meeting, we have grown
to about 115 members. We have obtained our 501 (c) 7 non-profit
status and continue to promote TOWN through local retailers and local
publications. Our group continues to meet monthly at Oshman's. We
print a monthly newsletter that includes upcoming activities, a
review of past activities highlighting member accomplishments, a
photo album from current trips, outdoor tips and a conservation
corner.
I think one of the reasons that our group
has been successful is the variety of activities we try and offer
each month. Our group's age range is from the late 20's to 70's. We
do some "easy" activities like touring herb gardens, star watches,
wildflower hikes, camping and outdoor cooking to more rigorous
adventures including mountain climbing and mountain biking. We often
bring in experts and hold workshops on kayaking, canoeing and
fly-fishing. The majority of activities take place within a two-hour
radius of the Dallas area, but we also venture out to more exotic
locales. This year we camped and hiked in Big Bend and climbed Mount
Elbert in Colorado. We are currently planning a kayak trip to
Vancouver Island for next summer.
Austin -Constance Whiston - began in
the winter of 1997
The Austin TOWN Chapter was started in the
winter of 1997. The concept of Texas Outdoors Woman Network was
introduced by Debbie Bunch at the Brick Oven Restaurant on Red River
one chilly winter night. There were about three women, including
myself who volunteered to start an Austin TOWN chapter and within a
couple of months I became the lone TOWN leader as the volunteers
dropped by the wayside.
Our meetings were located at Austin Outdoor
Gear & Guidance, owned by John Van Ness who kindly permitted us
to use his back room as a meeting place. There were about three years
of small attendance and outings scattered during the warm seasons.
Our group had several kayak trips on the Llano and Guadalupe Rivers.
Meeting attendance ran around 5 to 15 women as our small group began
to grow. Rebecca Jordan offered to post an Austin TOWN web site that
stimulated new growth for us.
During 1998 I began to get discouraged as
the attendance started to decrease and the lack of assistance made
coordinating a challenge. The greatest gift to the Austin Chapter of
Texas Outdoors Woman Network came when Amelia Greene volunteered to
create a membership roster and newsletter. Not long after Amelia
stepped in we began taking membership dues, had a new web site
(thanks to Amelia) and a new membership booklet (thanks to Claire
Count), relocated to Luby's Cafeteria on North Loop Blvd and as of
October 2000 we have a membership of around 60 members.
Constance continues to recruit speakers,
facilitate the monthly meetings and lead outings for a growing group
of wonderful outdoor women. Jo Gayle Wernli takes photos of our
speakers and is creating a history book. Amelia leads regular
Wednesday paddle adventures on Town Lake and our membership consists
of a very enthusiastic bunch of women who have fun, network and learn
from each other. Leading our Austin Chapter into adulthood has been
an educational and rewarding experience for me. I applaud all women
who get outside and try. Each of you can pat yourself on the back in
congratulations for you have taken the first step in becoming a Texas
Outdoor Woman.
San Antonio - Karen Kott - began in
1998
In May of 1998, Janie Thomas and I attended
our first BOW outing--to the Prude Ranch, not knowing exactly what to
expect. We were pleasantly surprised to participate in such a
well-organized program with excellent and enthusiastic instructors
who made everyone feel so comfortable. When Debbie Bunch talked about
the emerging TOWN groups, we were surprised to find there was no such
group in San Antonio. Janie and I decided to form the S an Antonio
Chapter, and in September 1998, we had our first chapter meeting,
with over 30 initial attendees.
Our group has been a very active group,
self initiating many activities, and over the past two years a strong
core of approximately 40 women are currently San Antonio "TOWNies."
As the nature of any group, members come and go. Last year we had
over eighty members--but the group that remains is committed to the
concept of TOWN. We have enthusiastic ladies who head various
"chairs": social, newsletter, membership, treasurer, and speaker. We
meet once a month to network about outdoor events and have a monthly
speaker on a broad range of topics. Our ladies enjoy refreshments
after a long day, so a restaurant atmosphere works best for our
meetings.
Over the past two years some of the
activities our group has self-initiated include: numerous hikes,
cookouts and nature walks, a hunter ed/camping weekend at the
Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area, a build your own walking stick
workshop, overnight campouts, shooting clinics, fishing clinics, and
a Big Bend Ranch State Park TOWN trail-ride--the first ever
all-women's ride held there. The San Antonio Chapter coordinated and
hosted the First Statewide TOWN Coordinators' Conference in January
2000 with the assistance of Deirdre Hisler at Government Canyon State
Natural Area.
Although our chapter has sponsored a number
of activities, emphasis is placed on encouraging members to connect
with others to pursue mutual interests independent of
chapter-organized events. Many have participated in activities
through the state and country, and share experiences with the group
at meetings.
With recent agreement on the statewide TOWN
logo, the San Antonio Chapter has designed its logo (the Alamo image
surrounding the TOWN logo) which will be displayed on T-shirts for
the October Outing.
San Marcos - Amy Sugeno - began in
February, 2000
The San Marcos chapter of TOWN was started
by Amy Sugeno at the public library in San Marcos. The chapter
currently meets at Amy's house but occasionally other members'
houses. It is growing slowly due to Amy's persistence and efforts and
by having guest speakers. Their main activities have included fly
fishing and nature-watching. Upcoming outings include dove hunting,
orienteering, and birdwatching
El Paso - Linda Courtice
Linda has had a hard time finding other women to form a TOWN
group. She continues to plan events such as attending the New Mexico
BOW offerings, but has not had much luck in getting other members to
attend these events. She will be returning to Alaska within the next
year or so. Hopefully, someone in the El Paso area can take her
place.
|