Greeting, All! Hope your summer adventures have begun. Mine did on Saturday, June 4, 2022. I participated in the Ladies Adventure Day at the Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club. IT WAS GREAT!!
We had to preregister and there was a total of 72 of us participating. The Archery building’s shooting range on the lower level was where we signed in and were divided up into groups by colors. Each of us got a string backpack in the color of our group (mine was yellow) so we could keep track of our teammates. I had been apprehensive that I would be too old, or physically unfit to participate, but it was instantly clear that was a needless worry. There were young and old, every kind of body shape and fitness.
Our team leaders introduced themselves, and after coffee, orange Juice, donuts, and a potty break, we were off!!! Group pictures were taken of each color team as well as one of all of us. Our team started at the shotgun range where we each got to shoot at skeet after getting our gun introduction and safety instructions. Then we went to the Range House to shoot two rounds with the .22 rifles borrowed from the Junior Rifle program. Their instructions were clear, patient and encouraging. After that, we headed to the new Pistol ranges for more instruction and shooting at the metal targets.
Lunch was back at Archery and was pizza, salad, pop, and water. Mrs. John Borth provided home baked lemon bars and brownies for deserts. From Archery we headed to the Muzzleloaders site. Instructions there were on how to make fire with flint and steel, how to throw tomahawks and knives, shoot a real black powder muzzleloader and finally, what cobbler tasted like cooked in a Dutch oven over a fire.
We went back to Archery, where we shot recurve bows from the 10-yard line. Then our last activity was a
presentation by Lori Card of Wild Card Adventures. There were other vendors also set up at Archery, because what’s a Ladies event without some Shopping?
Samantha Madsen took pictures of each of us doing something as well as the group pictures and they were printed and available for sale. The whole day was well planned and organized, and it showed.
Jenny Silek from Michigan Outdoors was also there filming for the show to spread the word of the growth in women’s events like this. A lot of jokes during chances to interact with my teammates were shared, as well as mutual respect and congratulations for each other’s accomplishments.
Thanks to all of the volunteers from each of the sub-clubs for giving up their Saturday (and it was a truly beautiful, perfect Michigan weather day). Thanks to Monique Madsen and her team of volunteers to lead us around and keep us moving and motivated. This is definitely one of the best times I have had as a member.
Respectfully,
Anne M Mobley, President
anne.mobley57@gmail.com