EDGEFIELD, S.C. — After a five-year hiatus, the Bakersfield Women in the Outdoors (WITO) Chapter reignited its signature WITO Weekend, hosting women from across California for an exciting three-day, two-night camping experience at Lake Isabella in Kern County.
Held May 17–18, the event welcomed women ages 14 and up to immerse themselves in outdoor education, companionship and adventure. Participants camped under the stars and rotated through a diverse selection of hands-on classes designed to build confidence, cultivate outdoor skills and foster a love for the outdoors.
“The ladies were so excited when we reached out to them,” said Nancy Tidwell, Bakersfield WITO event coordinator. “They were so excited to hear we had a new place. We had two 14-year-olds this year who will no doubt be coming again and again.”
Workshops included archery, handgun safety, shotgun and trap shooting, fly fishing, tomahawk throwing, self-defense, leatherworking, Dutch oven cooking, jelly making, mocktail crafting and more.
“I attended the very first event back in 2000, which at the time was just a one-day Saturday gathering,” Tidwell said. “I found out about it through a friend of my husband’s. In 2002, I took an archery class there and instantly fell in love with the sport. I’ve been competing in tournaments ever since. Around 2008, I joined the event committee, and I’ve continued to stay active in archery. I later became a certified Level 1 instructor and have spent the last six years teaching archery at the event. The most rewarding part of instructing is seeing someone get so excited that they want to go out and buy their own bow — that’s when you know you’ve sparked something special.”
Through events like these, NWTF’s WITO program helps foster the next generation of conservationists, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, reinforcing NWTF’s mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage.
“I cannot say enough good things about the women that put on this event,” said Sebastian Garcia, NWTF conservation fundraising specialist in California. “They are passionate about outdoor adventure and spending quality time outdoors. Every state and chapter should consider organizing an event like this.”
The NWTF WITO program was created to cater to the growing number of women interested in the outdoor lifestyle. In the past decade, the number of women owning firearms and participating in target shooting and hunting has risen significantly. Women now comprise over a quarter of all anglers and represent the fastest-growing segment within the hunting and shooting communities. The WITO program is an effective program to retain lifelong hunters by engaging and educating women about the great outdoors.
Find an NWTF WITO event near you.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
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