Outdoor Odyssey (formerly known as Becoming an Outdoors Woman - Utah)

Utah State University Extension is excited to offer the Outdoor Odyssey program (formerly known as Becoming an Outdoors Woman - Utah)! Outdoor Odyssey is an inclusive outdoor education program empowering individuals—especially women—to build confidence, competence, and community in wild places. No experience is necessary and the program is for all ages (adult 18+) and fitness levels.

The Outdoor Odyssey Workshop is a three-day, multi-course event where participants have the opportunity to learn a variety of outdoor skills. Courses offered vary from year to year and include activities such as rock climbing, firearm safety, rifle shooting, archery, mountain biking, dehydrating and canning food, backpacking/hiking, fishing, camping, and much more. (For a description of courses, scroll down below the sample schedule.)

This program is for you if:

• you are a beginner who hopes to improve your skills.
• you know how to do some of these outdoor activities but would like to try your hand at some new ones.
• you enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.

Location: The Holmstead Ranch Resort [1000 Holmstead Ranch Road (1089 East Baker Dam Road) Central, Utah 84722] For a sneak peek at the Holmstead Ranch, visit https://holmsteadranch.com/

Date: September 11-13, 2025

Cost: Register by August 22, 2025, and save $50! Through August 22, cost is $300-$350 depending on chosen accommodations. After August 22, cost is $350-$400 depending on chosen accommodations. Fee includes:

• 7 meals and some snacks (approximate value = $150)
• 2 nights lodging at the Holmstead Ranch Resort (approximate value = $250-$550)
• Instruction in 4 classes, use of equipment, course materials, swag (approximate value = PRICELESS)

What to Bring: We will send out a packing list but plan to bring clothes, toiletries, and basic travel essentials. Equipment for each class will be provided. However, in some classes, such as fishing and mountain biking, you may bring your own equipment if you would like. (Please do not bring firearms.) Bedding and towels are provided. Optional: If you have something you would like to donate for our silent auction to help raise scholarship funds for participants to attend future Outdoor Odyssey programs, we would love to have you bring it.

Basic Rules of Outdoor Odyssey: Have fun, be safe, no politics, and no alcohol.

Upon registration, you will receive a link to a Google form where you will select your top 3 class choices per session. (Please see the schedule and class descriptions below.) You will also receive an email a couple weeks before the event with information about what to bring, details about our silent auction, a medical and liability release form, a map to the facility, and other pertinent information.

Limited partial scholarships are available for first-time attendees. Please email andrea.schmutz@usu.edu for a scholarship application.

If you have questions, please reach out to Andrea. Her contact info is: email - andrea.schmutz@usu.edu , phone - (435)301-7747

Course descriptions - 2025 Outdoor Odyssey

Backcountry First Aid - Learn the skills needed to address injuries that may occur in remote areas where professional help is not available or will be significantly delayed. Participants will learn how to treat minor injuries and trauma with minimal supplies. There will be hands-on exercises, so dress comfortably.

Backpacking 101 - Despite what the glossy magazine pictures will show you, it isn’t required that you spend two months of your annual salary for backpacking or hiking gear. Learn about the basic gear, such as backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and a variety of other backpacking/hiking necessities. We’ll talk about how to pack your backpack, trip planning, and tips for hiking with kids. A short hike will be included in this session. Please wear proper foot gear. This class is designed for somebody with very little to no backpacking experience.

Basket Weaving - Learn to weave a basket. This informative class will touch on the use of natural materials and dyes while leaving the participant with a greater appreciation of the early hunters and gatherers who made baskets to collect and store their food.

Beginning Archery - How do you hold a bow? What is a "nock?" Can you really hit that target? Absolutely! Our expert instructors will have you shooting bows successfully in no time! Students will be exposed to a comprehensive overview of the sport and you will be taught how to safely use basic archery equipment. This is a fun, hands-on experience that promotes archery as a healthy lifetime activity. Equipment will be provided.

Botanical Bliss: Homemade Body Care Products - Being an outdoors woman means exposure to sun, wind, and water, which can result in dry, cracked skin. With the skin and body care products industry booming, let's learn to make our own! It's actually quite simple! AND, these body care items are sure to rejuvenate the skin. Join us for an educational and fun hands-on experience in the basics of homemade body care products.  While we are at it we will be bringing on the botanicals from the great outdoors for lotions, bath teas, bath bombs, healing salves, and sugar scrubs. Come pamper your skin while you pamper yourself.

Camping 101 - Everything you have ever wanted to learn about camping and more! Participants will learn about a variety of camping equipment and how to use it. Course will cover camp set up and equipment operation, including tents and stoves and the “Leave No Trace” camping ethic. Instructor will share a variety of economical ideas for camping on a budget. 

Dutch Oven Cooking - Learn the basics of Dutch oven cooking and produce mouth-watering dishes in a camp-like setting. Students will learn how to use these traditional camp cooking utensils as well as receive many great recipes to try later.

Firebuilding and Campfire Know-How: Igniting New Skills - Get fired up for this hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the science, safety, and skills behind building the perfect campfire. We’ll cover fire basics, building techniques, and dive into a variety of fire-starting supplies. Learn how to stay safe and responsible on public lands with an overview of fire restrictions, regulations, and Leave No Trace principles. You'll also explore methods for safe extinguishment and get to test your fire-starting skills firsthand in a supervised, practical setting. Come ready to spark curiosity and confidence!

Foraging and Plant Pressing - Join us for an exciting foraging class in southern Utah, where you’ll learn the essentials of identifying local plants and sustainable foraging practices. You’ll also get hands-on experience with plant presses to preserve your finds. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature!

Growing & Producing Natural Dyes - In this hands-on workshop you will create a scarf using natural plant dyes.  While we are waiting on the dye bath we will discuss how to sustainably harvest materials for dyeing, which species should be left to grow, and how to create your own dye garden. You will bring home your hand-dyed scarf and seeds of a native dye plant.

Intro to Handguns (no live-fire) - This fantastic course is a great introduction (or re-familiarization) to handguns for women who wish to build their confidence, basic skills, and learn to safely and confidently use a handgun for self-protection. Learn how to protect yourself or your family from a team that has trained thousands of women. We provide in-depth instruction on a wide variety of handguns and teach drills you can practice at home. We provide all guns. This course includes lecture, safe gun handling, how to shop (differences between handguns), tactical shooting foundation, home invasion scenario (how to respond with a gun), and comprehensive instruction in a safe and professional environment. There is so much you can learn with unloaded guns! (no live-fire). You will be pleasantly surprised how empowering and FUN women and handguns can be! Taught by John and Tami Popke of Popke Defense Solutions.

Introduction to Fly Fishing   - This fun, step-by-step fly fishing workshop is designed for curious first-timers, as well as for those who want to feel more accomplished out on the water. Our instructor will introduce you to equipment, fly patterns, and help you with hands-on fly casting & knot tying. The class is taught in an outdoor setting so bring clothing appropriate for the time of year, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat &  water. All equipment is provided, but if you already own your own gear you can bring it with you. 

Plant Based Camp Cooking - Whether you’re backpacking, car camping, or setting up base camp, plant-based camping meals can be hearty, energizing, and easy to prepare with minimal equipment. Come gather ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This class blends a love for the outdoors with the benefits of plant-based eating, showing campers how to create simple, flavorful, and nourishing meals while enjoying nature. Learn practical tips, easy recipes, and creative cooking methods for campfires, portable stoves, and Dutch ovens. The goal is to make plant-based camping meals accessible, energizing, and fun - proving that great food is always possible, even under the stars.

Tactical Handguns and Personal Protection (with live-fire) - The focus of this fun course is safety, skill-building, and preparing to use a handgun for personal protection, including concealed carry.  Using a series of tactical handgun drills, students will build safety, skill, and accuracy throughout the course. Whether you are a novice or an intermediate shooter, this class is guaranteed to take you to the next level in a fun environment.  Training includes foundation, safety, loading/unloading, sight alignment, clearing malfunctions, and using a gun for personal protection.  Skill = Confidence = Empowerment!   Taught by John and Tami Popke of Popke Defense Solutions.

Ten Outdoor Essentials and Basic Survival Skills - Don’t go into the Woods....unprepared! Do you have the skills to handle the unexpected in the wilderness? Do you know items you should never be without when you go on an outdoor adventure? Let us show you some basic wilderness skills that will help you build the confidence you need to enjoy a hike, a float or any other outdoor experience. We will discuss the basic gear you need to be prepared and basic skills such as fire building and simple emergency shelter building and give you a chance to try your hand at building both. We will also cover the basics of women’s outdoor hygiene. Don’t let poor planning ruin a trip; the best time to practice these skills is before you need to use them.

Trailering Basics - Do trailers give you tremors? Have you always wanted to be able to back a boat or trailer and not destroy everything in your path?  Come learn the skill of backing…it’s a great skill to know!  The class covers how to properly hitch a trailer to a vehicle, safely maneuver around curbs and back a trailer into a parking spot.

Wildcrafted Cards and Paper Making - Step into the enchanting world of plants and creativity in this hands-on card-making class inspired by nature’s beauty. You’ll explore a variety of paper crafting techniques—from hand-making your own paper and watercoloring florals, to pressing botanicals, creating seed paper hearts, and designing die-cut cards with a botanical twist. This is not your average flower-printed cardstock class—each project connects you to the natural world while adding artistic flair through tips, tricks, and creative details. All supplies are provided—just bring your love for nature and creativity!