Building Confidence in Women

Women's Wilderness Escape at the NRA Whittington Center

Individualized Instruction

Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery

Learning Made Fun!

Women's Wilderness Escape at the NRA Whittington Center

Indoor and Outdoor Archery by a Highly Qualified Instructor!

Women's Wilderness Escape at the NRA Whittington Center

Fun, Games, Team Building, and Laughter!

2023 Costume Party Winners!

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NRA Whittington Center Women's Wilderness Escape

Our Women's Wilderness Escape is a one-of-a-kind unique experience for women ages 18 and older. The Women's Wilderness Escape is an empowering, life changing experience for women who want to build their knowledge and skill set in firearms, shooting, hunting, and the outdoors, in a safe environment with skilled NRA Certified Instructors. This is an all-inclusive six-day escape that includes everything from shooting fundamentals to firearm safety, marksmanship, and training in rifle, pistol, shotgun, and archery by certified NRA Instructors. No experience is necessary, all equipment, firearms, ammunition, lodging and meals are included. This escape is limited in size so women can receive the best individualized instruction. 

2025 Coming Soon! 

Stay in one of our cozy Competitor Housing Buildings! 

In this all-inclusive program ladies will stay in our cozy Competitor Housing Buildings. Competitor Housing is a dormitory style lodging that includes 15 bedrooms that are divided into 3 wings. Each wing contains five bedrooms, each with two single beds, a kitchenette and two separate bathrooms with showers. There is a lovely central lobby that is shared by all 3 wings, making it a great place to gather together with the other women and share stories about the day's adventures. 

Learn from qualified and NRA Certified Instructors!

Our instructors have spent their lives dedicated to the firearm and shooting sport industry. Their passion is seeing women of all ages grow in confidence with the use of firearms. Women will be exposed to top of the line instruction where safety is put first. They will receive individualized instruction in an encouraging and uplifting environment. 

Archery

Women will learn the fundamentals of archery such as the proper way to shoot a bow, proper shot execution, back tension, how to control your shot, mental preparation, as well discussion on what items they will need to get started shooting on their own. The archery program is shot both indoors and outdoors at bags and 3-D life size animals!

Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun

Women will be exposed to a different discipline each day. Learn all the basic fundamentals in safe firearm handling and operation during the rifle, pistol and shotgun portions. Things that will be covered are safe firearm handling, firearm function and operation, basic ammunition knowledge, and the fundamentals of shooting such as breath and trigger control. Lean all this and more while playing games, having fun and making memories!

Common Questions

What airport do I fly into and is there a shuttle bus or does someone pick me up?

All major airports are about 3 ½ hours away (Denver International, Amarillo, TX; or Albuquerque, NM)

There is also a smaller airport in Colorado Springs about 2 hours away.  

Transportation from the airport or train station to our facility is the responsibility of the participants.

Does my $1600.00 tuition fee include airfare or other transportation?

No. The $1600.00 tuition fee includes a week of lodging, all meals, all ammunition and other supplies needed for WWE events. Anything else is at the participant's expense.

Do I get my own room, or do I have to room with someone?

No matter how many times you have participated in WWE, all participants are required stay in our Competitor Housing, which is set up dormitory style. There are 3 wings with 5 rooms in each wing; with 2 twin beds in each, so you will have a roommate. This helps with the bonding process that ties into the program. Each wing has men’s and ladies’ communal restrooms with a shower. However, no need to worry, there will be no men staying in the same building as the ladies during the WWE Event. So, the ladies will have the place all to themselves! There is also a kitchen in each wing with a refrigerator and small freezer, a microwave, an oven, and some cookware if you wanted to bring some food you can. But all meals are included with your stay. You will need to bring your own towels, toiletries, and if you desire your favorite pillow extra cozy blanket for cool evenings.

Can I stay in town, or bring my RV?

No. We require all participants to stay on property in our competitor housing with the other participants. This has proven to enhance the program’s success and has created lifelong friendships with other women from all over the country.

Can I bring my husband, my kids or my dog?

No. Although we do love dogs and kids and husbands, this is designed as an all-women’s escape to learn the basic fundamentals and skills required to handle any and all disciplines of guns and archery - without distractions.

Is there an itinerary?

We can provide a sample of last year’s itinerary to give you an idea of what a typical day would look like. The days are busy; start early and run all day with classes and programs.  More details will follow the closer to the date of the event.

What if I've never shot a gun before?

You are in for a treat! The Women’s Wilderness Escape is for all skill sets. It does not matter whether you’ve never handled a gun or you’ve been shooting your entire life. The program is set up with instructors with unlimited knowledge and they make learning every discipline fun, comfortable and at your pace. There are many different disciplines to learn including Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol, and even Archery.

Will I be able to go shopping at the mall or stores?

Since the daily schedules are filled with classes and shooting ranges from early morning to evening, there will not be a lot of downtime. (Closest town, Raton, NM, is 10 miles away; a small town with limited shopping/stores, no malls nearby, and they all generally close early evenings)

We do have a gift shop/pro-shop open on site from 8am – 5pm; Monday – Friday, and Saturday 9am-4pm. Closed on Sunday. You will be given an opportunity to be able to visit it during your stay and pick up souvenirs for your loved ones.

If I have special dietary needs, do I need to bring my own food?

All special dietary requests need to be submitted prior to the event so our Food Service Director is aware and can accommodate your dietary needs, within reason. Bring any of your own special snacks that you like.

Can I request to room with my friend/relative?

Yes, we can definitely put your request in to room with someone you know and are comfortable around but remember to gain the full experience of WWE we hope you embrace and feel the need to be roomed with new women from different states, different life experiences, different cultures as this completely enhances the entire experience of the program. Not to mention it’s a lot of fun and exciting to meet and make new friends.

What should I pack and wear?

Pack layered items. The saying around here is, “If you don’t like the weather wait 30 minutes and it will change”. Open toe shoes and low-cut blouses are not allowed while on the range shooting. We recommend long sleeve shirts, comfortable jeans or leggings, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, a warm coat, a windbreaker, a beanie, a ball cap, even base layers if you have them for cooler mornings.

Need Help Planning Your Visit Blue Icon of a Question Mark

Call 800-494-4853 or email [email protected]

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Located near beautiful Raton, New Mexico, the NRA Whittington Center is home to the nation’s premier hunting, shooting, and outdoor recreation facility. The NRA Whittington Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generous contributions of donors who want to preserve our heritage of freedom for the next generation of shooters and hunters.

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