Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of activities do you organize?
All sorts of stuff. As an all-volunteer organization, Women Outdoors relies on our members to organize and lead all of our events. That means our volunteer leaders can choose to lead the types of outdoor activities they love the most, whether it’s hiking or biking, kayaking or canoeing, caving or climbing – you name it. We also participate in local watershed clean-up days and help with maintenance on some of our favorite hiking trails.  We just ask everyone to bring their sense of humor, fun and adventure.

Do I need to have outdoor experience to join Women Outdoors? No. We offer a wide range of activities suitable for different levels of experience, ability and fitness. Some of our activities are geared toward training the beginner outdoors woman in skills such as kayaking, cross country skiing or orienteering. Other activities such as hikes and bike rides run the gamut from easy to strenuous, with most in the moderate range. The regional chapter calendars give general information on each event, but you can also contact the trip leader if you have any questions about the skills or stamina needed for that activity.

Can I bring my daughter on a Women Outdoors activity?
Probably. Check with the trip leader to see the skill level and stamina needed for the activity and to figure out if your daughter can keep up with the group.

Can I bring my dog to a Women Outdoors event?
Maybe. It’s up to the leader of the activity and if dogs are allowed at the event location.

May I attend a Women Outdoors event if I’m not a member of Women Outdoors?
Yes. Come to a couple of our events and enjoy the camaraderie of other women who love the outdoors.  After you experience how much fun we have, we’re sure you’ll want to join officially so you can receive all the benefits of being a member of Women Outdoors.

Can I attend Women Outdoors events sponsored in other regions?
Yes. One of the benefits of joining Women Outdoors is the opportunity to meet other women who share your passion for the outdoors.  The latest schedules of events for each region are posted in the Our Regions section of our web site.  If you’ll be traveling to an area with a Women Outdoors chapter, check out their schedule and join the fun. You can also contact the regional contact for that area and ask her to add you to their email list for upcoming events.

How do I join Women Outdoors?
It’s easy to join Women Outdoors. Just click on the Join Us page. Once there, you’ll see all the benefits of becoming a member of Women Outdoors and the different membership levels.  Choose the level that’s right for you and join online.

How much does it cost to join?
Our dues are $30 for one year. Our junior membership - under 18, full-time student (18-25), and senior membership (over 65) levels - are $15 annually. As a tax exempt nonprofit organization, your Women Outdoors membership fee is tax deductible. Join Us

What do I get for my membership dues?
There are several benefits to joining Women Outdoors. You will have access to the special Members Only section of our website where you can manage your membership profile and read back issues of the Women Outdoors Magazine. 

You can download the Women Outdoors Bibliography, a comprehensive annotated bibliography of over 1000 books, mainly by women authors, that focus on adventure travel, nature study, and wilderness and country living.  You can also download the Women Outdoors Condensed Bibliography – reviews of 250 recommended books selected from the larger bibliography.

You can attend not only all of your region's events, but also events posted by any other region.

As an organization, Women Outdoors promotes the development of women’s outdoor leadership skills. As a member of Women Outdoors, you are eligible to apply for a scholarship to participate in leadership training programs. While funding for scholarships is not unlimited, we make every effort to provide scholarships to qualifying candidates.

Can my daughter join Women Outdoors?
Absolutely. We have had many mother-daughter members of Women Outdoors. We love to have girls join us on our outdoor adventures.