Jenningston, W.Va. (WVDN) – Marsha Waybright wanted to offer a retreat designed specifically for women, one that would educate them on the basics of self-defense in everyday situations. Learn to protect yourself, understand your surroundings, and recognize personal threats before they escalate in her Safe Women Retreat, offered May 9th -11th at the Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast. Waybright is the business manager and/or business owner of three additional West Virginia rural small businesses – the West Virginia School of Traditional Skills, the Laurel Fork Educational Farm and Mama Bear Protection. Give mom a special treat for Mother’s Day weekend by gifting her with this retreat so she will always feel safe.
“The main reason for this retreat is to teach how important situational awareness is in everything that we do,” she said. “We can prevent or escape a threat or incident simply by being aware of our surroundings. Awareness is the key.” Waybright is a certified USCCA (U.S. Concealed Carry Association) instructor as well and teaches Home Defense Fundamentals Classes. “Even if you never hunt or carry a firearm the chances of you encountering one in the state of West Virginia is pretty high, so it’s best to have a working knowledge of how to handle one if and when you have an encounter. Having an understanding of how they work and how to be safe around one will not only keep you safe, but others as well.” In the Safe Women Retreat, women will be taught hunter safety, concealed carry, general firearms safety, hiker awareness, and safety and physical self-defense Jiu Jitsu techniques. “We believe that knowledge is protection.”
In this three-day retreat, you will also enjoy meals at the B&B and hikes around the Laurel Fork Educational Farm. In addition to Waybright, speakers include Julie Gayheart and Gene and Tamara Smithson. North Carolina resident Julie “Jester” Gayheart is a section hiker, podcaster and educator. She completed the Appalachian Trail in July 2017 following 12 summers of section hiking. Gene and Tamara Smithson are well-known Jiu Jitsu instructors. Gene holds a black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Tamara a brown belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Between the two of them, they instruct youth and adults in Jiu Jitsu and self-defense.
“This is the first women’s retreat of this kind that we have put together,” said Waybright. “No matter what your choice is for self-defense, the main thing is situational awareness and always have a plan. I think a lot of people, women especially, have trouble putting together a realistic plan for self-defense. We are pulling a group of people together who not only know how to put these plans together, but have also seen the consequences of not having a plan.”
Cost for the Safe Women Retreat is $25 per person. Includes lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday. To register, book a stay at the Laurel River Club B&B, or learn more about upcoming classes through the West Virginia School of Traditional Skills or Mama Bear Protection, please visit www.lrcbnb.com or call (304) 402-7095. Find more info on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
