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Outreach Programs

Youth Outdoor Skills Workshops

The Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, Wildlife Division, partners with local Rod and Gun Clubs to offer outdoor skills workshops and events for youth aged 12 to 17. These events provide youth with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in a safe environment with qualified instructors and volunteers. Youth participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Events for 2026 will be announced at a later date.

Youth Dream Adventure Newfoundland and Labrador

The Youth Dream Adventure provides young people of our province a chance to win an inclusive trip to an incredible destination here at home, building from the Atlantic Provinces Youth Hunting and Fishing Exchange.  This program is intended to engage local experts in outdoor pursuits (angling, hunting, etc.) that youth may not otherwise have opportunity to encounter and provide them with an exceptional opportunity.  These experiences will help develop interest and involvement in outdoor activities and offer skills development at the same time.

A youth winner (aged 12-17) is chosen by random draw from all those who have participated in the provincial Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course or other outdoor skills events sanctioned by the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands each year.

Significant support has been received for this program each year including consistent support from the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association and individual outfitters, the Newfoundland and Labrador Trappers Association, Rod and Gun Clubs and local businesses.

Anastasia M. of Twillingate went on her first moose hunt this fall, and it was a trip to remember for the lucky winner of this year’s Youth Dream Adventure.

Anastasia and her mom, Kelly, participated in an all-inclusive guided moose hunt on the Great Northern Peninsula during the first week of October, hosted by Sonya and Barry Samms and Off the Grid Adventures. Thanks to the tremendous support of sponsors, Anastasia was well equipped for her first and future hunts.

The Youth Dream Adventure offers young people a chance to win an inclusive trip to an incredible destination here at home and experience outdoor pursuits like angling and hunting with local experts.  Planning for the 2026 Youth Dream Adventure is ongoing and will be another exciting opportunity for a youth and their parent or guardian to hunt big game.

Here’s how Anastasia describes it:
“My hunting experience with the Youth Dream Adventure was unforgettable. The trip going in was exciting right from the start. Going on a float plane for the first time was an experience all its own. From waking up early each morning, to the thrill of seeing a moose starring at us on the bog, every moment was amazing. The adventure, the food, and the people made it even more special. I’m so grateful to have been chosen and given the opportunity to go. Everyone involved was so nice and made it feel like home. It was the perfect start to what I know will be a long and exciting hunting journey ahead.”
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“It was an unforgettable experience being able to go with my daughter Anastasia on her very first hunting trip, a trip she won through a lucky draw, and one that we’ll both carry with us forever. Sharing the woods with her, watching her learn, grow, and take part in a tradition that means so much to our family as Newfoundlanders was incredibly special. Hunting has always been about more than just the harvest for us — it’s about respect for the land, providing for our families, and preserving a way of life that has sustained Newfoundlanders for generations. Passing this tradition on to our children and sparking their interest is vital to keeping our culture, values, and connection to the land alive. Seeing Anastasia successfully shoot and harvest her moose alongside the knowledgeable and supportive team from Off the Grid Adventures made the experience even more meaningful, and sitting down afterward to share that moose meat as a family was a powerful reminder of why these traditions matter so deeply to us.”
– Anastasia’s mom, Kelly
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Special thanks to our 2025 Sponsors!

For more information, contact:

Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands
Wildlife Division
P.O. Box 2007
Corner Brook, NL A2H 7S1
Ph: 637-2025 or email: chrisbaldwin@gov.nl.ca

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW)

BOW Program Offers Women Opportunity to Expand Outdoor Skills

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program (BOW) is an outdoor education skills program sponsored by the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands and the Friends of Salmonier Nature Park.

BOW provides hands-on workshops and classes to teach participants outdoor skills, while building their confidence in their ability to get out and safely enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. BOW classes are kept small, so participants receive plenty of one-on-one interaction with friendly, supportive instructors.

The overall goal of the BOW program is to break down barriers for women to become more involved in outdoor skills- – hunting, fishing, and other skills often deemed nontraditional for woman.

The BOW program is delivered in several formats – the traditional 3-day weekend event, as well as Beyond BOW workshops of various lengths. All classes are taught at entry level in a safe, non-intimidating outdoor setting. Courses such as archery, fishing, canoeing, shotgun, rifle, outdoor cooking, hiking, and many more, are offered.

Significant financial support, in recent years, has come from Wildlife Habitat Canada.

Two full BOW weekends are planned for 2026; one May 29th-31th on the Avalon and one in Lewisporte in September. Registration for spring 2026 BOW will open early April.

Becoming an Outdoors Family (BOF)

The Becoming an Outdoors Family Program (BOF) is an outdoor education skills program sponsored by the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, the Friends of Salmonier Nature Park and in partnership with Parks NL. This program is geared towards families who are new to camping

In this beginner outdoor education program families will learn the basics of camping. The program provides all the instruction and basic equipment you need for families to learn basic outdoor camping skills.

BOF encourages hands-on involvement, such as setting up tents and learning how to light a fire. The program includes fun camping activities and outdoor games as well as an opportunity to explore and learn about local wildlife during a guided scavenger hunt.

The next Becoming an Outdoors Family is June 13-14th, 2026 at Butterpot Provincial Park. Registration will open early May.

For more information contact the Salmonier Nature Park at 229-7888 or visit our website at: https://www.gov.nl.ca/fal/

 

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