When women are searching for something fun to do or a vacation with a bit of adventure what is it they are looking for? Do they want to accomplish a goal, try something new or maybe get to know other women who share their same interests? That’s quite possible. The NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape fulfills those desires in an all-inclusive package.
The NRA Women's Wilderness Escape is designed to give women, mostly beginner shooters, the chance to experience the three main shooting disciplines—pistol, rifle and shotgun—in a comfortable and controlled environment with other women, and to offer the opportunity to try something new. Additionally, each discipline is directed by certified and passionate instructors who truly care about seeing their students succeed. The participants learned everything from the importance of gun safety, to gun handling, as well as how to takedown and clean the firearm. The women walked away with a greater knowledge than they could have expected prior to this trip. Many women even told me that this trip far exceeded their expectations.
Women from all over the country came together at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M., from Oct. 1-6, 2018 in order to go on an adventure of a lifetime that enabled many of them to overcome their fears, bond with other women, and walk away with a pride they might not have experienced prior to this trip. I was lucky enough to be one of those fortunate women.
The week-long event is packed full of not only learning the different shooting disciplines, but also nightly activities such as a concealed carry “show and tell,” the Refuse to be a Victim class…and also a wine social to give people the chance to mix and mingle. From the start, you are put in a group of eight women whom you come to form a close bond with over the course of the week. You quickly are able to overcome your shyness and learn about each individual’s personal story. You share in each other’s failures and successes throughout the week, and leave with a greater understanding of one another’s journeys.
So what is it that women truly want? Women want adventure, excitement and a challenge. They want to be able to be themselves but also have the ability to step outside their comfort zone. They want to feel they can be open about their past in order to take the next step into their future. They want the opportunity to empower themselves by doing something they may never have done before…even if it scares them. Women want to be free. Free to be unapologetically themselves, free from judgment, safe from harm—and above all free to have fun. And the Women’s Wilderness Escape provided that to the women who attended. Twenty-four women from all walks of life and every age attended the Women’s Wilderness Escape for a multitude of different reasons, but they each walked away with a confidence that was universal among them.
