They’ve hosted the No. 1 event in the state for four years running, and the Platte Purchase Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) would like to make it a fifth.

It’s the Women in the Outdoors event, and it’s coming to Camp Geiger in less than two months.

Women in the Outdoors is a national campaign of the NWTF and was created to help females learn and enjoy outdoor skills in a non-threatening environment. The local event occurs at Camp Geiger (north of St. Joseph) and begins Friday evening (March 27) and concludes the following afternoon.

Women who are veterans of the outdoors and those just getting started will enjoy a social on Friday night followed by dinner. Participants will stay at the Camp Geiger facilities overnight and then be treated to breakfast, followed by their choice from a long list of outdoor classes the next day.

After lunch, more classes will be offered. The event will conclude that afternoon with some drawings for prizes, including some great gear, several guns and Montana Silver Smith jewelry provided by St. Joe Boot Company. Participation in the event includes membership in the NWTF itself.

The Platte Purchase Chapter has put together a list of 27 courses that is sure to offer something for just about everyone, including shooting everything from archery gear to shotguns or handguns. Cooking, wildlife viewing, photography, climbing and rappelling are among the other subjects.

Eleven of the courses offered are entirely new.

The NWTF realizes the benefits of getting more women involved in the outdoors. Their studies have shown women who are active in the outdoors lower their risk of cardiovascular disease and multiple cancers, sleep better, increase their brain power and manage their weight better.

Their research has also shown that contact with the natural world has numerous other benefits, such as quicker recovery from illnesses and less depression, and intangible benefits such as increased well-being. This is on top of the increased quality time that can be spent outdoors with family

In fact, NWTF studies have shown nearly half of all Americans (45 percent) engage in outdoor recreation as a family at least once a month, and 11 percent do so once a week. This is at a time when conversations around the dinner table are at an all-time low. By attending the Women in the Outdoors event, participants can learn the skills needed to get the most out of their family outdoor experiences.

Last year’s event drew more than 135 women from throughout the region. While the event costs $70 to attend, Ellen Benitz, regional director for NWTF, believes it’s well worth it. The fee includes a social on Friday night with a meal, two meals on Saturday, and six hours of instruction.

“It’s quite a bargain, if you ask me.” Benitz said, “but if you are a single mom who has to hire a babysitter, too, it might be difficult to squeeze it into the budget.”

It is for that reason the Platte Purchase Chapter is offering a new scholarship for someone to attend the event at no charge this year.

“We hope to impact a lady or two that would like to attend, but because of budget reasons has not been able to.” Benitz said.

The scholarship is being offered in memory of one of the Platte Purchase committee members who died unexpectedly last year.

“Applicants don’t have to be indigent or out of work,” Benitz said. “Simply give us a reason why you’re applying.”

The Platte Purchase Chapter has held these events annually since 1999. They have been successful in introducing females to the world of the outdoors and have found that women who participated in the event increased their involvement in outdoor activities by more than 40 percent.

For further information on the Women in the Outdoors event or to apply for the scholarship, contact Ellen Bentiz at (816) 387-6606 or email her at nwtfbenitz@socket.net. You can also contact Sherry Hill, the event coordinator, at (816) 992-3650 or email stjoewito@yahoo.com.

For further national information on the program log onto www.womenintheoutdoors.org.