Summer Outdoor Skills Weekend
Womens Summer Outdoor Skills Weekend
Program Date: Saturday August 29th & Sunday the 30th, 2026
Maine Outdoor Programs, offered by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in partnership with the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp, providing hands-on learning experiences for people of all skill levels to connect with the outdoors. Whether you’re looking to build new skills or strengthen existing ones, our programs offer opportunities to explore hunting, fishing, trapping, outdoor preparedness, and wildlife viewing in a welcoming environment.
The outdoors is for everyone, and learning in nature is a lifelong journey—there’s always something new to discover! Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, learning opportunities through Maine Outdoor Programs will help you gain confidence, expand your knowledge, and deepen your connection to Maine’s incredible natural resources.
Participants can choose one activity for each of the two sessions. Sessions are rated by physical exertion levels. (L, M & S) L= little physical exertion, M= moderate & S= strenuous. Please keep these ratings in mind as you make your selections.
Fee for participation: $225.00
Program fee includes meals, overnight lodging, instruction, and program equipment.
Age for Participation: 18 years and older
Overnight Lodging: This is an overnight weekend program, and Saturday night lodging at Bryant Pond is included in the program fee. Participants stay in our camp-style lodging, which includes bunkhouse rooms, cabins, and lodge accommodations. Most participants can expect to share a room with one other person; depending on enrollment and housing needs, some accommodations may house additional participants. Beds are twin-size camp bunks. Participants should bring a sleeping bag or twin-size sheets and blanket, a pillow, towel, and personal toiletries.
Saturday 29th, 2026 – Session I : 12:00 a.m. to 4 p.m
- Archery Shooting Skills (M)
- Introduction to Waterfowl Hunting (L)
- Axemanship (M)
- Campfire Cooking (L)
- Hike Bucks Ledge / Lapham Ledge (M)
- Intro to firearms: Rifle shooting for recreation or hunting (L)
Session II Evening : 6 p.m to 7:30 p.m
- Aqua Zipline
- Climbing Wall
- Sunset Canoe/Kayak
- Campfire snacks and Sweets
- Fly Tying Introduction
Sunday 30th, 2026 – Session II : 9 am to Noon
- Fly fishing 101 (L)
- Fire and Survival Skills (L)
- Learn to shoot: Introduction to shotgun (L)
- Learn to Hunt: Whitetail Deer Hunting (L)
- Map and Compass (L)
- Introduction to Furbearers and Fur Handling Skills (L)
Photo Gallery: Adult Outdoor Skills programs
(Click on image to enlarge in a lightbox window.)
Workshop Descriptions & Schedule
Check in: 10:30-11:15 AM
Introductions: 11:15 AM
Lunch 11:30 – 12:30
Session I: Saturday, (12:30 PM – 4:00 PM)
Archery Shooting Skills –This workshop will focus on improving form and shooting technique, and you will have the advantage of adding a sight to your bow to improve accuracy and precision. We’ll shoot at various distances and learn how to compensate for added yardage. You do not need archery experience prior to this, but we’ll move quickly beyond the basics.
Introduction to Waterfowl Hunting –Maine has plenty of opportunities to hunt waterfowl, including ducks and geese. During this session, we will cover the basics to waterfowl hunting, including laws and regulations, equipment, identifying areas to hunt, use of decoys, and calling techniques. We will also venture to the shotgun range to demonstrate shotgun patterning and shooting techniques. We will finish the session by demonstrating waterfowl processing and preservation.
Axemanship- One of the most iconic traditions in Maine is putting up firewood for the winter. But first, you’ll need to know a bit about swinging an axe and using it efficiently. The growing popularity of woods skills has sparked interest in this workshop where you’ll learn how to choose, maintain, and use safely and effectively axes, saws, and knives. There will be plenty of hands-on action, so prepare for a fun woods workout!
Campfire Cooking- Have you ever tried getting that smoky fire-cooked taste, only to wind up with a charred mess? In this class, we will teach you the art of fire cooking. We will introduce cooking directly in the coals with foil, Dutch ovens, and cast iron skillets. This primitive backcountry skill isn’t quite as hard as it may seem; with the right direction from our experienced teachers, you will be baking up some tasty cobbler or stew in no time!
Hike Bucks Ledge/ Lapham Ledge- What’s more relaxing than a nice, moderate hike in the late summer? During this session, we will venture off campus to a local hiking hotspot where we will lead you to two beautiful views of western Maine. The first hike will be up to Buck’s Ledge, where a view of North Pond and its surrounding hills. Following, we will hike to Lapham Ledge for another amazing view and will continue with the loop to return to the trailhead. Along the way, we will talk about being prepared for day hikes, Trail etiquette, and some forest ecology. This is a great opportunity for a laid-back adventure to make some friends, take some pictures, and do a little learning along the way.
Intro to firearms: Rifle shooting for recreation or hunting –
Have you recently completed your hunter education or maybe you’re interested in recreational target shooting? Or maybe you’re simply looking for more information on the various types of firearms, action types, and what they are best used for. This workshop will fully prepare you with a focus on safe gun handling, types of rifles and their uses, and how to shoot accurately.
In this workshop we’ll cover:
- Safe ways to handle various firearms
- Types of common firearms
- Action types of rifles
- Differences between bullet calibers
- Choosing the right firearm for hunting or target shooting
- How to store and secure your firearms.
This workshop will be a blend of hands-on demonstration, practice, and live fire exercises led by professional staff and range safety officers. You will soon be prepared for the upcoming season whether it’s hunting, or a day at the range. This is great for the new hunter or shooter, and an excellent refresher for experienced folks.
Downtime & Free time 4 PM to 5 PM
Dinner 5 PM to 6 PM
Evening mini session 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Campfire Snacks & Sweets – Nothing says camp quite like delicious food around the fire! Spend the evening learning how to make some of our favorite campfire treats, including popcorn popped over an open flame, banana boats, and other tasty outdoor snacks. Whether you’re looking for new camping recipes or simply want to enjoy a relaxing evening by the fire, this hands-on session is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and spark your campfire creativity.
High Flying Fun – Aqua Zip (Limited to 12 participants) Take the leap and experience one of Bryant Pond’s most exciting waterfront adventures! Climb the tower, soar down the zip line, and make a splash as you land in the lake. Whether you’re conquering a personal challenge or simply looking for an unforgettable evening, the Aqua Zip is sure to leave you smiling. No experience is necessary—just
Reach New Heights – Climbing Wall (Limited to 12 participants). Challenge yourself on Bryant Pond’s climbing wall! Whether you’re a first-time climber or have climbed before, this session offers a fun and supportive opportunity to test your skills, build confidence, and cheer one another on. Choose your own route, climb at your own pace, and enjoy the satisfaction of reaching new heights.
Sunset Canoe & Kayak Paddle – End the day with a peaceful paddle as the sun begins to set over Bryant Pond. Whether you choose a canoe or kayak, you’ll enjoy a relaxing evening on the water while taking in the beauty of the surrounding mountains, listening for loons, and experiencing camp from a whole new perspective. No previous paddling experience is necessary.
Introduction to Fly Tying – Discover the art of creating your own fishing flies! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the basics of fly tying while crafting a simple fly to take home. Whether you’re an experienced angler or have never picked up a fly rod, this relaxed session offers a fun introduction to a timeless outdoor tradition. All materials and instructions are provided.
Session II – Sunday August 30th, 2026
Breakfast 8 AM – 9 AM
Session II – 9 AM – Noon
Fire and Survival Skills- Proper fire building is a skill that many folks will call on at some point. This workshop will combine a fire and survival lesson to provide you with the basic essential skills to survive an emergency. Whether you are building fires for some summer nights or to keep warm lost in the mountains, you will learn the skills to start a fire anywhere, anytime. We’ll also focus a great deal on prevention and preparedness, moving right into specific key skills that will give you the best odds at survival in the backcountry.
Introduction to Furbearers and Fur Handling Skills – Regulated trapping is an important conservation tool, and becoming proficient in basic fur handling is an important part of the process. In this workshop, we’ll highlight Maine’s 16 species of furbearers and provide instruction, equipment, and a hands-on learning experience.
Each participant will have a specimen to work with, likely a mink or muskrat. Recreational Safety Coordinator Joshua Dostie will share his skills and passion for trapping while guiding participants through the skinning, fleshing, stretching, and boarding process. All equipment, aprons, and a legally obtained mink or muskrat will be provided.
Learn to Hunt: Whitetail Deer Hunting – Deer hunting is an exciting way to spend time in the woods while matching your skills with one of Maine’s most sought-after big game species. Deer hunting is also a great introduction to the traditions held sacred in Maine and a way to learn about this important species in our ecosystem, while supporting Maine’s conservation goals. This workshop is a blend of hands-on demonstration and practice, led by Registered Maine Guide and experienced hunter Carmen Bombeke. Participants will learn deer habitats, what they feed on, ways a whitetail deer may be harvested in Maine, hunting tactics and equipment, personal safety, shot placement, and basic game care.
Fly Fishing – Mastering the fly rod takes a little practice, but here, you’ll learn basic casting methods, and you’ll even have time to wet a fly. You’ll soon realize it’s easier than you think! This workshop will focus on successful casting technique and fly presentation in various situations.
Learn to Shoot: Introduction to Shotguns- Whether it’s hunting or target shooting that you’re interested in, this workshop will begin with safe gun handling and basic shotgunning, and then we’ll take it to the sporting clays range for some high-flying clay target shooting! Learn proper stance, follow-through, and point-and-shoot techniques from certified instructors. Whether you are a novice or have some experience, this workshop will not disappoint!
Map and Compass- While GPS use is common these days, basic map and compass skills are the key to navigation in the backcountry. Learn how to read topographic maps and put a compass to use. Orient a map, set a bearing, and set a course, and soon you’ll find out how much fun it is! We’ll cover triangulation, declination compensation, and route planning.
Closing: 1:00 PM