Women friends of the Indiana Wildlife Federation will meet at either a state park, county park, nature preserve or state forest for each hike this 2024 season where we will learn different outdoor skills including reading a map and compass and purifying drinking water from a stream. Each hike will include identifying flora and fauna and engaging in a nature meditation with other wildlife lovers part way through the hike. Unlike being indoors, meditating in the wild allows you to utilize all your senses and the sensory environment as a support for being present. The hikes will last anywhere from 2-4 miles. A light snack will be provided along with a list of suggested items to bring/wear for each season.

The IWF hiking series is led by professional Outdoor Educator and Wilderness Guide, Patty Haltom, who is a Hoosier, born and raised in Speedway, IN. She’s the founder and owner of Project Reteach Outdoor Adventures – An all-women’s outdoor adventure company based in Indianapolis. Patty has a B.S. in Health Science from Ball State University and an MPH in Health Promotion and Education from Indiana University as well as an M.S. in Recreation focus on Outdoor Recreation from Indiana University. Patty worked for a program called Outward Bound for 10 years, guiding teens, young adults, and adults into the wilderness for days and weeks at a time while teaching them backcountry skills, team-building skills and character development. Patty moved back to Indiana in 2021 due to COVID-19 and needing to be closer to family again. She is excited and passionate about expanding the access to outdoor adventures to the women and girls of Indiana to help increase overall confidence, resilience, and overall self-efficacy.

September 28, 2024, Betley Woods at Glacier’s End, Johnson County, County Road 750 South, Trafalgar, IN 46181

Hikers may sign up for one, two, three or all four hikes in the series. Cost is $25 per person for an individual hike. Space is limited to 12 participants for each hike.

REGISTER HERE