A collaborative project of WHRL and Maine Outdoor School
OWL: Outdoor Women Lead teaches OUTDOOR and NATURALIST skills.
Our goal is to strengthen women and girls’ confidence in the outdoors — and in life!
Hazel Stark
Co-Founder of Maine Outdoor School
Registered Maine Guide
OWL Instructor
Do you like the outdoors?
Whether you are an enthusiast or are just starting to brave the outdoors, OWL has something for you. Check out this page for videos, blog posts, information about in-person programming, and more.
Start a Phenology Journal
Create your own phenology journal to help you get to know the world around you and track its changes throughout the season.
Entomology Exploration
The ratio of insects to humans on Earth is estimated to be 200 million to one! Learn how different insects are grouped, and practice catching and identifying beetles, butterflies, and other bugs.
All of our videos are in-depth explorations into the following topics: canoeing, camping, plant and insect identification, and phenology. On each video’s page, we have resources for further learning. Don’t forget to take this QUIZ to test your knowledge and enter your name into a raffle for a free guided canoe trip.
For even more educational offerings, check out Maine Outdoor School’s website.
Camping 101
Plant Identification
Canoeing
Have an old canoe around but never really learned how to use it effectively or confidently? Learn how to distribute weight in a canoe, how to hold a paddle, canoe safely, and some basic paddle strokes that will have you exploring quiet lakes and ponds in no time.
In-Person Programming
More information coming soon!
The OWL's Nest
A blog that answers your female-specific outdoor questions
OWL: Whooooo’s in for an Exciting Future?
OWL: Whoooooo's In for an Exciting Future? By Hazel Stark, Co-Founder of Maine Outdoor School, L3C, and Zabet NeuCollins, Assistant Director of Women for Healthy Rural Living When we first started planning the Outdoor Women Lead (OWL) program series during the fall of...
Making “Scents” in the Outdoors: Hygiene Tips
Making Scents in the Outdoors: Hygiene Tips By Hazel Stark When we spend extended time outdoors, we get stinky, especially if we’re doing high intensity activities like backpacking. Getting clean outdoors not only keeps us more comfortable and helps us sleep better,...
Outdoor Safety
Outdoor Safety by Hazel Stark If we don’t feel like the outdoors is a safe place, we’re not going to spend much time there. This is a simple concept, but one that is worth unpacking as being able to spend time in nature is a necessity. So let’s consider some of the...
Meeting your Needs Where There are No Toilets
Meeting your Needs Where There are No Toilets! written by Hazel Stark I’ve had several living situations where I did not have running water. Those scenarios, combined with my love for multi-day backcountry adventure, has given me lots of experience with meeting my...
Zabet NeuCollins
Assistant Director of WHRL; Project Lead for OWL