‘Wild Women Unite’ for outdoors fun at Anne Springs Close Greenway

A group of “wild women” met for fun and games at the Anne Springs Close Greenway over the weekend.

Around 20 participants gathered for Wild Women Unite, a weekend conference founded to introduce women to the outdoors. Women of all outdoors proficiency were welcome, but it was mostly first-timers who participated in archery, kayaking, mountain biking, geocaching and outdoor cooking at the Greenway’s Adventure Road section.

This was the first year the Greenway hosted the conference, founded by Yvonne Folck in 2003. Outdoors retailer Cabela’s of Fort Mill sponsored the event with instructors and equipment.

Though there is some initial apprehension, after the weekend is over, participants typically come away with at least one new hobby, Folck said.

“Some women are afraid to get in a kayak because they think it’s going to tip over. Then they get in and it’s like, ‘Oh, I can do this,’ ” she said.

Multigenerational friendships are often formed as the women surprise themselves and each other with their capabilities.

“It’s just so empowering for women to come here,” Folck said. “We all help one another. That’s what it’s about.”

Fort Mill resident and self-proclaimed “city girl” Kathy Ernst said she came to the conference for a respite from her normal routine.

“I thought a girls weekend would be a great opportunity to de-stress and focus on me and not worry about (my family),” she said.

Participant and manufacturing engineer Nikki McAnallen admitted she doesn’t get out and move as much as she should.

While trying her hand at archery, McAnallen joked that the extent of her normal outdoor activity consists of “sitting on the front porch with a beer while my kid plays in the cul-de-sac.” But after trying and enjoying archery, McAnallen said she felt empowered.

“I want to go out and hunt dinner,” she said.

Outdoor sports remain an overwhelmingly male-dominated pastime, Wild Women founder Folck said, except for archery.

Archery has increased in popularity over 100 percent in the past decade as a result of women’s interest in the sport, and archery was the only activity that nearly every Wild Women participant chose, Folck said.

Dena Bruton-Claus, Wild Women site director, said the event serves as a way for women to get away and try something new.

“Busy professional women and busy moms especially, we do a lot for everyone else. We will drive our kids all over the earth, but it’s hard for moms to say, ‘I’m going to do something for me.’ ”

“You don’t ever hear of women playing, and it’s kind of important,” Bruton-Claus said.

The skills and empowerment gained at a Wild Women weekend translate to other parts of life as well, she said.

“When you push yourself to do something that you’ve never done before in a supportive environment, maybe next time that cold call isn’t so hard or that board meeting in my professional life isn’t so hard. It’s transferable.”

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 2:59 PM with the headline "‘Wild Women Unite’ for outdoors fun at Anne Springs Close Greenway."