by Marlene Odahlen-Hinz

The Kiwanis Scout Camp took a courageous step
this summer when it offered its first girls only
deer camp. What an experience is was for the
girls and for the instructors.

For the last five years I’ve been the lead instructor for the International Bowhunter Education Program classes offered at the Kiwanis Scout Camp near Marine on St. Croix. My husband, Jerry, along with Don Buckentin are also part of the teaching team who have brought bowhunting knowledge to nearly 200 young hunters during that time.

The class size has varied at this residential camp from as few as nine participants to as many as twenty nine. What has remained the same however is the percentage of girls signing up for this week-long outdoor experience. In just about every class we’ve taught for the camp three to five percent have been girls.

David Denn, camp director, and the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association felt it was time to add a girls only week to the two regularly scheduled Forkhorn Camps. Denn had observed that in previous co-ed hunting programs the boys generally had more exposure to guns and bows and that often the girls were sometimes hesitant to ask or answer questions. Thirteen girls registered for that early June experience never thinking that they’d be “stars” before the week was over.

The girls came from as far north as Grand Rapids, MN and as far south as Albert Lee, MN. Some came with friends but most came alone taking new friendships away with them when they left at week’s end. All of the girls had a parent or relative who hunted but only a few had actually been afield.

The goal was to give these girls hands-on outdoor experiences in not just shooting sports activities but provide them with information on wildlife management, whitetail deer ecology and outdoor survival skills in a non-intimidating environment. There was even time allotted for swimming, canoeing and fishing.

Their Bowhunter Education certification was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. These girls asked more questions during the first two hours than most participants of other classes ask in two days. They were not just interested in the different types of bows but know wanted to how the equipment actually worked. Not every girl expressed a desire to hunt but they were all eager to learn about archery.

Once the required material was presented during the classroom period we headed to the archery range where each girl was shown proper form and introduced to range etiquette and safety. Because they were attentive, focused and opened to suggestions all these young ladies displayed marked improvement at the close of our first session together.

Thursday a film crew from WCCO-TV came in and followed the girls as they shot air rifles, scaled the climbing tower and displayed their archery skills. The girls were also interviewed by reporter, Heather Brown and the program aired later that weekend.

According to a survey from the National Sporting Goods Association taken between 2001 to 2005 women participating in hunting is up 75%. Much of that involvement is due to programs offered for only women and girls sponsored by the MN DNR, MN Deer Hunters Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Kiwanis Scout Camp. The Archery in Schools program often peeks their interest while other organizations give them the opportunity to take that curiosity about bow hunting to the next level.

Will all thirteen girls hunt this fall? Probably not. But all of them left the camp with a new understanding of the importance of habitat conservation and wildlife management and a definite interest in archery thanks to Chilakoot.

For more information on other special hunting and fishing opportunities for youth contact the DNR or area chapters of Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to find out what youth hunting weekends are planned for the future.

For specific dates on the next girls-only deer camp through the Kiwanis, call David Denn at 651/433-2801.

Return to Articles Page