Fun Discovered, Confidence Unlocked

If you’ve read my last blog or listened to me speak over the last few months, I talk a lot about challenging myself to try new things. When I set up a challenge, my competitive nature really makes me go all in. And boy, did I go all in at the Becoming an Outdoorswoman workshop in November 2024.

The BOW workshop is a Georgia DNR program, and you can read more about the program here https://georgiawildlife.com/BOW. I attended the annual workshop at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center in Mansfield. If you’ve never visited Charlie Elliot, you’re missing out. This was my first visit, and I was immediately enamored with what a gem this DNR property is. It includes Marben Public Fishing Area, Clybel WMA, and it’s truly somewhere you must visit for yourself.

My interest was sparked to attend this event because of the variety of opportunities to learn new skills and grow existing skills. So many different activities were offered, but I settled on ‘Introduction to Handgun’ and ‘Tree Climbing.’ I own a handgun and have practiced with it a few times but had zero confidence in using it if I ever needed to. This made the ‘Introduction to Handgun’ an obvious choice. Growing up in climbing stands and lock-ons, ‘tree climbing’ seemed like a safe option, as the mediocre deer hunter I am.

Before activities began, they gathered all 200 female participants to greet us, feed us and celebrate Georgia outdoors with us. After this pre-party, the real party began as we deployed to our respective and chosen activities.

I walked into a classroom with 11 other ladies and one sparky and highly qualified instructor by the name of Cynthia Wahig. Just a few minutes in, it was obvious that every woman in that room was there for the same reason; seeking confidence with their handguns. Cynthia was firm and direct but beyond encouraging as we learned safety, structure, stances and plain common sense. She was patient and constructive in all the right ways. After building us up from the simplest instruction to role playing and using handgun training tools, a few hours had passed, and to my surprise, we were headed to the range. Across the country road, we went to Clybel WMA Shooting Range.

After checking in with the Range Security Officer and validating that we were all properly equipped, we were ready to go. One by one, we took turns practicing all the things we had learned. Rotating from a .22 to a .45, and finally to a 9mm Glock, I was able to find my comfort zone and grow my confidence. With every hit and even missed target there was a group of women behind me, celebrating and encouraging me. We were rooting each other on as we were developing and growing new skills. After this course, I left feeling like I had become David in the battle against Goliath. I now feel with 100% confidence that I could take out a threat if I needed to. Because of this great instructor and group of amazing women, I tried something new, and I fell in love. I now plan ‘shooting dates’ with my husband in my father-in-law’s field.

Day 1 completed, now Day 2’s sun was rising. Breakfast was on our belies, and new adventures were in front of us. Dressed and prepared to do some tree climbing, I began walking to class. I saw a large willow oak with circus-like ropes dangling out of its highest branches down to the ground. Beside the tree were two gentlemen with harnesses. It didn’t take me long to realize I wasn’t climbing this tree in a deer stand. These gentlemen were park rangers at Panola Mountain State Park, and they were arborists by trade and were really about to throw us into tree ‘climbing.’

They spent the first 30 minutes of class teaching us about all the reasons you tree climb, the most important being FUN! In those 30 minutes, they taught us about the equipment and rehearsed all safety practices. The next item on the agenda for us to learn was how to pitch our line. From 32 to 85 years old, a group of 15 women swung and tossed lines into the tree they called ‘Charlie’ as the experts cheered us on. After mastering this step, we were on to the art of actually climbing the tree. The most in-shape 72-year-old man I’ve ever seen showed us how to set up with the most enthusiasm I’ve ever seen one individual exude. Before we knew it, he was scurrying up the tree and grinning from ear to ear. It was time for us to try. Getting started and ensuring my line was secured in the tree was no easy feat. I finally made it happen after many attempts and some much-needed assistance. I was set to climb. Working out the rhythm of driving my legs down and driving my hands up, became natural and before I knew it, I was 60 feet in this tree, resting on its old branches.

As I looked around at this group of women scattered high and low throughout this tree, I was overcome with pride as we all were attempting something completely out of the box. My view from those branches shifted to gratitude as I am blessed with health and opportunity to continue growing my connection to God’s creation in old and new ways. After a brief moment of feeling like a tree-climbing professional, my feet were back on the ground and my mind in awe.

BOW weekend reminded me that life is full of surprises. New and old experiences alike can be filled with blessings if you allow yourself to see it. Whether it be mastering a skill, building relationships, gaining a new hobby, experiences outside bring you closer to God’s creation and character. Go outside and try something new, you never know what our Father has waiting for you.

Kimberly Lee is GON’s Event Coordinator… among her many talents and endless enthusiam, hence her nickname the Force Of Nature by GON Publisher Daryl Kirby. Kimberly’s Force Of Nature blog appears regularly at GON.com and in GON magazine.