Women For the Woods
Smithgall Woods - Dukes Creek
Conservation Area
October 23-24, 2010
If you love the outdoors and meeting other women who share your interests, join us
for 24 hours of fun, learning, and conservation. See our registration page to learn more
about the classes we are offering. We have a highly skilled, all-woman staff that enjoy
sharing what they know. The event will take place at two state parks – Smithgall Woods
and Buck Shoals. Buck Shoals is an unopened state park 20 minutes from Smithgall Woods.
Smithgall Woods is situated on 5,664 acres, most of which was acquired by the
state of Georgia through a gift-purchase from Charles Smithgall, Jr. -- a noted
conservationist and entrepreneur. Buck Shoals offers a beautiful 15-acre lake, perfect
for canoeing, spin fishing, and fly-casting. A silent auction in the evening will support
conservation projects at the park and offer beautiful and functional items.
Bring your tent and sleeping bag for an all woman camp-out or arrange other local
accommodations nearby.
Event Schedule
Saturday, October 23
8:00 Registration/Orientation at Buck Shoals
9:00 – 12:00 Session I Classes at Buck Shoals
12:30 Lunch at Smithgall Woods
1:15 – 3:15 Session II Classes at Smithgall
3:30 – 5:30 Session III Classes at Smithgall
5:30 Set up tents
6:00 Campfire Dinner
7:00 Silent Auction/Free-time
8:00 Native American Lore by the Fire
Sunday, October 24
7:00 Birding Walk (Optional)
8:00 Qi Gong Exercise
8:30 Continental Breakfast
Leisurely departure
For more information contact:
Johnna Tuttle, 706-878-3087, Johnna.Tuttle@dnr.state.ga.us
www.gastateparks.org
Smithgall Woods – Dukes Creek Conservation Area
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, Georgia 30545
Event Information
Course Information
(Course Descriptions – continued)
Archery: Learn the basics of shooting form including
how to nock the arrow, draw the bow and how to stand.
Learn about purchasing the best bow for you.
Instructor: Robin Peterson, Friends of Smithgall
Woods
Journaling – Learn a traditional pencil and watercolor
technique for botanical illustration. Most everyone can
draw with a pencil with a little encouragement and the
watercolor is easy, fun and well suited for the woods.
Do a botanical illustration of a favorite leaf and finish it
off with watercolor washes -- perhaps in fall colors!
Instructor: Linda Lindeborg
Spin Fishing – Learn the basics of fishing with spincasting equipment -- choosing appropriate bait for
catfish, bass, and bream, tying an angler’s knot. Then
practice casting and fishing in a beautiful 15-acre lake.
Instructor: Cecilia Copp, Friends of Smithgall Woods
Flat-water Canoeing/Kayaking – Learn basic strokes
and proper techniques. Practice getting in and out of a
canoe, one-person and two-person paddling styles, and
more. Instructor: Johnna Tuttle, Georgia State Parks
Fly-fishing – Learn basic skills of fly-casting and
stream reading in a large lake OR in one of America’s
top 100 trophy trout streams, Dukes Creek. Instructor:
Cornell Feldsman, C.J. Fly-Fishers
Camp Cooking Basics – Learn the basics about planning
and packing for outdoor cooking, and basic fire and
safety skills. Practice starting and maintaining a cook
fire. Instructor: Connie Haynes, Nature Corners
Cooking Around the Campfire – All you ever wanted to
know and more about burnin’ a biscuit! Learn open fire
and Dutch oven cooking. Enjoy a full meal including
bread, meat, veggies and dessert. Instructor: Connie
Haynes, Nature Corners
Navigation – Find your way through the woods without
GPS! Learn basic compass skills and navigate a compass
course. Basic map skills will be included. Instructor:
Robin Peterson, Friends of Smithgall Woods
Basic Photo Composition - Learn traditional composition
theories and practice shooting your images. Learn to
use balance and proportion while seeing rhythm and
pattern in nature. To bring: your digital camera with
charged batteries and an empty memory card and a
working knowledge of your camera. Instructor:
Sherry Clive, Artist and Graphic Designer
Edible Plants – Make acorn muffins from scratch. See
common food plants of fall, and get resource
information for further learning.
Instructor: Johnna Tuttle, Georgia State Parks
Make a Gourd Birdhouse – Enjoy making and decorating
your own birdhouse using a “bird house gourd.”
Information on designing birdhouses for specific
species of birds will be included. Instructor: Audrey
Moyan, Avid Birder
Camping Information
Camping will be available at Smithgall Woods’ “Fish
Camp,” which is also home base for the event. The
camping area is a group camp on a grass lawn. Camping is
primitive with only tents or car camping allowed. There
are no shower facilities. Toilets and non-potable
running water are available. The cost for camping on
Saturday night is $5/person. This cost is not included
in your $50 registration fee.
Alternative Lodging Information
If you prefer to sleep in a bed, consider Unicoi State
Park and Lodge. Lodging information can be found at
www.gastateparks.org. For information on other local
accommodations call the Helen Chamber of Commerce at
(706) 878-1908.
Items to Bring
A fold up-chair (the bag type works best so you can
carry it from class to class), clothes for rain or shine,
comfortable shoes, drinking water, camera, sunscreen,
binoculars, bug spray, checks or cash for silent auction,
coffee cup, water bottle, mess kit (encouraged but
optional). You may bring your own fishing rods or bows
for classes, but no crossbows are allowed for the
archery class.
Women for the Woods 2010
Registration Form
Register by October 8, 2010! No refunds will be given after October 15.
Age Limits
Participants 14 to 17 can attend if accompanied by
a participating guardian. Otherwise participants
must be at least 18 years old.
Event Class Choices
Number the classes in order of preference:
1 being 1st choice 4 being last
The registration fee is $50 and includes
instruction, materials, lunch and dinner on
Saturday, continental breakfast on Sunday,
parking, and transportation in the park.
Name:____________________________________
Address:__________________________________
Session 1 (Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
____ Fly-Fishing* on a lake
____ Flat water Kayaking/Canoeing
____ Spin-Fishing*
____ Basic Photo Composition
City:_____________________________________
Session 2 (Saturday 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.)
____ Fly-Fishing* in Dukes Creek
____ Journaling
____ Camp Cooking Basics
____ Basic Land Navigation
E-Mail* ___________________________________
Session 3 (Saturday 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.)
____ Make a Gourd Birdhouse
____ Edible Plants
____ Cooking Around the Campfire
____ Archery

a Georgia Fishing License will be required
and must be obtained prior to the event.
Please check if you wish to participate in the
following:
____ Saturday night campfire program
____ Sunday morning bird walk
We will do our best to accommodate your first
choice of classes. All class materials will be
provided. If you choose to use your own fishing
rod or bow, etc. please do bring them. Neither
Smithgall Woods nor the event instructors are
responsible for any damages to your personal
equipment.
ST:__________ Zip: _______________________
* A registration confirmation will be sent via email, please provide a current e-mail address.
In case of emergency please contact:
Name: ________________________________
Phone: ________________________________
Payment
____ I have enclosed my $50 for the event
____ I plan to camp Saturday night ($5)
Special Accommodations
Do you require any special dietary or other
accommodations? If so, list below:
Checks are payable to: Friends of Smithgall Woods
Mail form and payment to:
Women For the Woods
C/o Smithgall Woods
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA 30545