Come join us for a kayaking and camping adventure!

The South Fork of the Shenandoah is a flowing mountain river, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, legendary for its canoeing excellence. 

Join us for two nights of camping at Golden Rock Campground at Compton Rapid (the prettiest spot on the river) and two days of paddling. We will drive to the campsite and spend Friday night there. The campground is primitive, which means no showers, no dedicated campsites, and lots of natural beauty. We will look out for eagles flying overhead or in their nests, and otters playing in the creek on the upper end of the campground. Next morning the Outfitter will shuttle us up the river to start our kayaking trip. After a fun day of paddling we will be back at the camp site to spend another night outdoors.  We will wrap up our trip the next day with another 4 hours of paddling before we head back to our cars. 

Kayaks will be provided, but you would need to bring your own camping gear and meals including a tent, sleeping pad and a sleeping mat.

27 miles, 1800 feet of elevation, with 75% gravel road surface. This is a more advanced gravel ride, with a number of sharp climbs, but overall quiet rural gravel roads. For intermediate and advanced riders.

We’ll pass by beautiful farms, creeks and forests, and fantastic old stone walls as we roll through northern Fauquier County, starting in The Plains. We’ll skirt Middleburg but not actually pass through to keep on the quiet gravel roads. 

This is a no- drop ride, with a leader and a sweep and no one will be left behind.

After completing your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location. If you don't see it, check your junk mail folder.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register. 

5.1 miles, Level 5 hike. Suitable for advanced beginners and above hikers.  A scenic loop hike in Shenandoah National Park.

This a lovely loop hike in the Park's North District reminiscent of a classic Virginia forest with fern-covered floors to scenic mountain views, and a couple of stream crossings along the way. 

We begin at a historic CCC building that housed the offices of park architects and engineers in the 1930s who were creating the park.

We will make use of several trails, including the Appalachian Trail, to take in the views of Sugarloaf and Hogback mountains.  

As with all WWO hikes, there will be a leader and a sweep, and no one will be left behind.

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this hike is FREE for Premium Members, you do need to register. 

This 6.0 mile trip suitable for beginner backpackers and above.

Rating: Level 3   (View Hiking Rating Scale)

For beginner backpackers and above.

There is limited space on this trip, so please register early!

36 miles, 1300 feet elevation. For Intermediate and Advanced Riders.  Rolling hills on country roads with little traffic.

 

Join us for lovely ride over the rolling hills and through the beautiful valleys of Frederick County. This is one of our favorite rides! We will ride over three historic covered bridges and take in great views of scenic farmland, babbling brooks and the nearby Catoctin Mountains. This is a no-drop ride with a leader and a sweep. 

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register. 

30 miles, out and back, nearly flat on the wonderfully re-surfaced C&O Canal Towpath.  Good for advanced beginners (who can do the distance) and above. 

Join us for an easy-going, moderately paced ride on finely crushed gravel along the delightfully tree-lined and sun dappled C & O Towpath from Point-of-Rocks to slightly beyond Harpers Ferry. This beautiful ride hugging the Potomac River is a real treat in the summer. We’ll stop for ice cream in Harpers Ferry and walk around this historic town before turning around. Harpers Ferry is the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and the site of John Brown's raid against slavery. All bike types are suitable. 

As with all WWO rides, there will be a leader and a sweep, and no one will be left behind.

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register. 

Looking for a great sunset photo opportunity? Join us for a relaxing guided sunset kayak paddle led by ACA certified paddling instructor and NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. 

Calm evening waters should make this an easy paddle, and we hope to see lots of wildlife along the way! We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak experience suggested, but not required. All equipment, paddles and PFDs and necessary instruction is included on this professionally guided paddle.

Bring water and snacks and don't forget your binoculars!

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and event location.

There is limited space, so please register early. 

Come try the sport of Target Archery in this 90 minute introductory class! 

Target Archery is a sport that can be played almost anywhere, by anyone.  Some strength is needed, but shooting skill is more important than the power of the bow. 

We'll spend the morning learning the skills of archery in this 90 minute introductory class conducted by experienced archers instructors.  No prior experience is necessary and no special clothing is required; however no open-toed shoes, dangling earrings, necklaces or bracelets should be worn.  We will be outdoors, so please dress for the weather. 

Bring water and a snack if you like, as neither are available at the archery range. 

33 miles, 1800 feet elevation. Suitable for Intermediate and Advanced Riders. Gently rolling hills with a few good climbs.

 

We found that the best way to do this route in the summer is to include a brewery! This ride will explore the far reaches of Montgomery County's farmland and green space and take us into Howard County’s preserved farmland. The route is on gently rolling hills and low-traffic roads with a few climbs for good measure. This ride has fantastic scenery and beautiful vistas of big open sky, farms and orchards. We end at the Elder Pine Brewing Company where we’ll relax outside and enjoy the refreshments. 

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register. 

Join the WWO Virtual Book Club & Social!  Offered virtually so all can join, we gather quarterly to socialize and discuss a book around the theme of women in the outdoors. 

July’s book is Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui:

“Humans, unlike other animals that are drawn to water, are not natural-born swimmers. We must be taught. Our evolutionary ancestors learned for survival; now in the 21st century we swim in freezing Arctic waters and piranha-infested rivers to test our limits. Swimming is an introspective and silent sport in a chaotic and noisy age, it’s therapeutic for both the mind and body, and it’s an adventurous way to get from point A to point B. It’s also one route to that elusive, ecstatic state of flow. These reasons, among many others, make swimming one of the most popular activities in the world.

Why We Swim is propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club that meets in Saddam Hussein’s palace pool, modern‑day Japanese samurai swimmers, even an Icelandic fisherman who improbably survives a wintry six‑hour swim after a shipwreck. New York Times contributor Bonnie Tsui, a swimmer herself, dives into the deep from the San Francisco Bay to the South China Sea, investigating what seduces us to water, despite its dangers, and why we come back to it again and again. She offers an immersive, unforgettable, and eye-opening perspective on swimming—and of human behavior itself.”

Come join a community of women who share the outdoors in all ways possible!   The Zoom logon information will be provided to you in an email the day before the meeting.  

Although this event is FREE for Members, please register!

32 Miles, 1240 feet elevation -- Mostly flat roads and rolling hills. For Advanced Beginners ready for a challenge and above.

 

This ride is in the beautiful Virginia countryside surrounding Remington, Virginia.  We will see fields, farms, forests and fords, and ride through Civil War history. Every time we do this ride, we remember why we like it so much. And for a bonus, you can stop at the local Moo Thru ice cream shop after the ride. This ride is suitable for advanced beginners who are ready for a longer ride and above.  As with all WWO rides, there will be a leader and a sweep, and no one will be left behind.

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register. 

The Board of Directors is the governing body of WWO with the responsibility of overseeing all activities.  WWO members are invited to join the meeting.

 

Board members meet quarterly to discuss policy and to focus on the mission, strategy and goals of WWO in an effort to better serve our members and trip participants. These quarterly-scheduled meetings are open to WWO members and we encourage members to participate!  We invite you to come observe our meetings, particularly if you have always wanted to get more involved with WWO but didn't know where to start.

The meeting will be held on Zoom.  You need to register to receive meeting instructions.  Only registered WWO members can join the meeting, and we ask that you not share the meeting link with others. 

Looking for a great sunset photo opportunity? Join us for a relaxing guided sunset kayak paddle led by ACA certified paddling instructor and NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. 

Calm evening waters should make this an easy paddle, and we hope to see lots of wildlife along the way! We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak experience suggested, but not required. All equipment, paddles and PFDs and necessary instruction is included on this professionally guided paddle.

Bring water and snacks and don't forget your binoculars!

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and event location.

There is limited space, so please register early. 

Come try the sport of Target Archery in this 90 minute introductory class! 

Target Archery is a sport that can be played almost anywhere, by anyone.  Some strength is needed, but shooting skill is more important than the power of the bow. 

We'll spend the morning learning the skills of archery in this 90 minute introductory class conducted by experienced archers instructors.  No prior experience is necessary and no special clothing is required; however no open-toed shoes, dangling earrings, necklaces or bracelets should be worn.  We will be outdoors, so please dress for the weather. 

Bring water and a snack if you like, as neither are available at the archery range.