From its inception, Women Outdoors has sponsored an annual Gathering for all members. Last year was a big one for Women Outdoors. We turned 40!! That's right, this nonprofit, nature-loving, outdoors-roaming, adventure-seeking, 100% women-run nonprofit has been getting together at our National Gathering every year for four entire decades, bringing women together to laugh and learn, to sing and play, to make new friends and cherish their old ones, from all across the country. It's three wonderful days of fun, laughing and learning, and we'd be overjoyed to have you with us to celebrate our history and to pay homage to the women who built this organization.

This year, we'll be returning once again to our new home in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, at the Chimney Corner Campus. Whether you hike, bike, kayak, swim, gaze at the birds or at the stars, paint, play the ukulele or drum or you name it, sing, start campfires from scratch, scale walls, write or read, the Women Outdoors Gathering has something for almost everyone. 

We're still working on 2020 - actually we've just gotten started! In addition to this page, please check out last years Gathering.

40th Gathering 2019

You may arrive on campus as early as 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, and must be off-campus no later than 5 p.m. on Sunday.

We'll have events scheduled before and after our lodgings open for move-in and checkout, so make sure to check the final schedule when available. We can use the campus and facilities, including lunch, on Friday, before the lodging move-in time.

Campus Arrival/Departure: Friday 9 am to Sunday 5 pm

Lodge Check-in/Check-out: Friday 4 pm to Sunday 11 am 

One-day Check-in/Check-out: Saturday 9 am to 9 pm

The two-story Manor Lodge, devoted to Women Outdoors' exclusive use for the Gathering, sleeps a total of 64. This winterized lodge features heat and electricity, and bathrooms on each floor with showers, toilets, and hot water.

Room assignments are first come, first served. We have a total of 10 rooms sleeping from 4 to 8 each. When you register, you can request your roommates. If no preference is given, we will match you up. If you require a private room, send us an email to: gathering@womenoutdoors.org.

The activities at the Gathering are a combination of volunteer-led workshops and offerings from the Berkshire Outdoor Center and its staff.

Workshops vary from year to year but often include offerings such as kayaking and canoeing instruction with our ACA certified instructors Bonna and Deb, the on-site challenge course, bicycle maintenance, orienteering, outdoor living skills, hikes galore, crafts, and even chi gong and yoga, among others.

Do you want to be part of the "much, much more?" If you're interested in leading a workshop, please go to our Programming & Activities page (link below) for instructions on how to submit your title and description.

Leaders of workshops accepted by the Gathering Committee will receive a $35 rebate on their registration fee.

Check out all of the activities offered last year:

Meals are always hot, fresh and delicious, as well as nutritionally balanced! These meals include a fabulous array of options, with pastas, chicken, vegetables, delicious steaks, and always a vegetarian option. Each meal is also accompanied by an extensive salad bar, fabulous desserts and snacks, fresh fruits and coffee, tea and drinks.

Meals will be served in the camp's beautiful dining hall, with views over serene Smith Pond. 

Meal Times:

Breakfast: 8:15 am (Saturday & Sunday)

Lunch: 12 pm (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Dinner: 6 pm (Friday, Saturday)

Make sure that when registering you fill out the optional form for those with food allergies, and get it back to us by the deadline so that the kitchen staff can accommodate you! Stay tuned for links to the form.