
A collaborative project of WHRL and Maine Outdoor School, our goal is to strengthen women and girls’ confidence in the outdoors — and in life! OWL is a three-pronged initiative:
- OWLette, a summer camp for girls ages 11 – 16, located at Milbridge Commons. Girls learn outdoor, naturalist, and gardening skills.
- An Outing Group for Women, a support network of women 16+ who go on outings in Washington County.
- An online hub for women who are interested in learning more outdoor and naturalist skills on their own time via our Facebook Group, iNaturalist project, videos, and blog posts.
This program is inclusive to all definitions of women. Please reach out if you’d like to learn more.
If you are looking for a co-ed outdoor camp or experience, please check out Maine Outdoor School, EdGE, and Washington County 4-H.
Giving-- it's the Maine thing to do.

Outing Group Hike to Tunk Mountain
Outing Group for Women
This outing group is reserved for women and girls 16+.
Upcoming Summer Outings

Special Expedition: Mistake Island with MITA
August 20th, 9am – 3pm
We are excited to partner with MITA – Maine Island Trail Association – to offer an outing out to Mistake Island off the coast of Jonesport. This outing will be stewardship focused: we’ll be volunteering with MITA to help clean the shorelines.
MITA’s cleanups are full-day events where experienced volunteer skippers take crews to targeted islands to clean shorelines. They’re great introductions to volunteering with MITA, and chances to explore the islands while keeping them clean for all. Volunteers ride in our fleet of skiffs to clean island shorelines, taking a break for lunch and returning by mid-afternoon. However, note that conditions can be challenging. Volunteers should be physically fit and comfortable climbing in and out of small skiffs and scrambling over slick, rocky shorelines.

The Bold Coast Hike
September 17th, 9am-3pm.
Absorb the beauty of Cutler’s rugged Bold Coast complemented by the dark, mossy forest we’ll hike through to get there. We will hike half this trail network, about 5.5 miles, to allow for time for breaks, learning about the unique ecology and geology, and exploration along the shore.
This is an advanced hike due to the distance and uneven terrain. For more information about the trail network, click here.
OWL BLOG
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...
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...
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...
Our Mission
To advance and promote the health and well-being of the woman, her family, and her community.