WIN: Women in Nature

10/3/2025 to 10/5/2025 | Crowder State Park | Trenton, MO

Maximum of 50 participants

Hey, ladies! Have you ever wanted to explore the great outdoors, but did not know where to begin? Come join us at Crowder State Park for Women in Nature’s weekend experience to learn some new skills, taught by all female instructors. This event is intended to be educational and relaxing. Whether you are new to the outdoors or consider yourself an expert, we will help you gain a few new skills and improve your techniques in a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere.

Dates:

Friday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 5

Times:

Oct. 3: Check-in starts at 5 p.m.

Oct. 5: Pack out by 10 a.m.

Location:

Camp Grand River at Crowder State Park

Accommodations:

Barracks-style cabins at Camp Grand River will be available on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival. Each cabin can accommodate up to 15 people. You are also welcome to bring a tent to use. Please contact the park office in advance if you plan to stay in a tent.

Age Requirements:

Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Any participants under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.

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Activities (may be subject to change):

Archery and Atlatl (Low-Moderate*)

Archery is a time-honored sport that is growing in popularity. It is not only good fun but good exercise – and now you can learn how it’s done. Have you ever heard of throwing with an atlatl? Well, participants are going to get the opportunity to learn and explore the technique behind this historic hunting weapon. This course will cover archery and atlatl safety, ethics, shooting and throwing techniques, and equipment selection. Participants will receive personal instruction and adequate time to practice what they learn. 

Beginner Orienteering Course (Moderate*)

Orienteering involves finding one’s way through various terrain using a compass, a topographical map and land navigation skills. The objective is to make your way through a series of points identified on a map and to return to the finish line. 

Nature Hacks (Low*)

Whether you are camping, having a campfire in your backyard, or just enjoying a day in nature, this activity will teach you hands-on hacks and DIY skills for making those outdoor days even more enjoyable.

Foraging (Low-Moderate*)

Have you ever wanted to explore wild food sources, but didn’t know where to start? During this activity, you will join a foraging expert who will show you tips and tricks to safely and properly identify edible species. Your guide will even take you on a hunt to find some of these awesome plants on your own!

Optional Activities:

Friday Evening:

Dutch Oven/Camp Cooking (Low*)

Participants will learn the basics of cooking with a Dutch oven. There will be instruction as well as hands-on experience as you prepare and cook your own dinner in the great outdoors.

Searching the Night Skies (Low*)

Representatives from Truman State University will facilitate an astronomy program and provide a guided viewing of the night sky.

Saturday Evening:

Wild Game and Edibles (Low*)

Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to prepare and cook wild game and wild edibles? This will be the perfect opportunity to join park staff to learn more about how to prepare and cook these types of ingredients.

Night Hike (High*)

Enjoy a guided interpretative night hike. The hike will last roughly an hour and a half. We recommend that you wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight or headlamp and plenty of water.

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*Physical Activity Guide:

Please be advised that WIN: Women in Nature programs are outdoor activities. Participants will be walking on tread surfaces that, at times, contain roots or embedded rocks and may have elevation changes.

To help participants anticipate each course and know what physical levels to expect, a physical activity rating system has been created. You will find a physical level rating for each course next to the course name in the Activities section of this page.

• Low: requires minimal physical skill/endurance (example: lecture-based and hands-on activities in a classroom)
• Moderate: requires moderate physical skill/endurance (example: lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing or taking short walks)
• High: requires high levels of skill/endurance (example: lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing, hiking, lifting or engaging in full-body movement)

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Registration, Refunds and Cancellations:

Registration is $40, and there is a maximum of 50 participants. 

Click on the “REGISTER HERE” link below to register. When you get to the registration website, click on the "Show 1 session" box below the weekend listing. Then, click on the green "Sign up!" button to register.

Registration open and close dates are listed on the registration website. All slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register here

Waitlist:

If the activity you are looking to join is full, please join our waitlist by signing up for that program on the registration tab. Once a cancellation has been approved, a staff member will contact the first waitlist individual via email to prompt them to secure their spot within a 48-hour period. No response within that 48-hour time period will result in the customer being removed from the waitlist and the next individual being contacted.

How to Cancel a Reservation: 

Seven or more business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Customers are able to cancel their reservations themselves and receive a full refund. To cancel, the customer should log in to their icampmo account, find the reservations/activities that they are signed up for, and hit "Cancel" for the reservation that they wish to cancel. 

Six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Anyone needing to cancel a reservation six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date should contact emma.elwood@dnr.mo.gov. Per Missouri State Parks' refund policy, customers canceling an event registration six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date agree to forfeit their reservation refund, regardless of the circumstances.

Program Change Policy:

Organizers reserve the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate any proposed offering. In the event that the program is canceled by Missouri State Parks, customers will be refunded in full to the original form of payment within seven business days of the cancellation notice. 

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For more information:

If you have any questions prior to the first day of the event, please contact Emma Elwood, outdoor recreation specialist, at emma.elwood@dnr.mo.gov, or Anna Persell, Crowder State Park superintendent, at anna.persell@dnr.mo.gov.

Event Weekend Contact Information:

To get more information during the weekend of the event, please contact the Crowder State Park office at 660-359-6473.

Additional Women in Nature Opportunities:

Click here for a list of all upcoming Women in Nature events.

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Crowder State Park is located at: