These ladies-only retreats are designed to teach you the skills you need to protect yourself and your family. We combine situational awareness with defensive firearms training and unarmed self-defense using Commando Krav Maga (CKM) Smart Safe techniques that address real-world scenarios! Resurrect the Lady Warrior in you and learn to fight back!!
Our Level 1 course is geared toward ladies of all skillsets and fitness levels -- ages 13 & up!
Whether you already carry every day or you're brand new to guns, this course will to teach you how to develop a defensive mindset, become safe and proficient with operating a semi-automatic pistol from concealment and increase confidence that you can get your shots on target, even under stress.
Some ladies simply cannot be armed at all times or may lack the time to gain access to a defensive weapon before we are within arm's reach of our attacker. That's why we also teach life-saving skills using unarmed self-defense (Krav Maga) techniques. You'll get a crash course on how to use your body to inflict enough damage on your attacker to allow you to escape or gain enough distance to access your gun or other defensive tool.
Topics include developing a defensive mindset, situational awareness, gun safety rules, semi-automatic pistol handling fundamentals, clearing a pistol, resolving common weapon malfunctions, pistol cleaning & maintenance, drawing from the holster, movement, tactical flashlights, low light / no light shooting, unarmed self-defense (Krav Maga) including strikes, strike defenses, ground survival, gun and knife disarm techniques and more.
Meals Included: Friday Dinner and Saturday & Sunday Lunch
Session Length: Friday - Sunday
Course Fee: $275
Check out our Plan Your Trip page for area lodging ideas.
Q: What is the age requirement to participate in LWW Level 1?
A: Young ladies 13 years and older are welcome if accompanied by a parent / legal guardian. Past successful participants range between ages 13 - 76.
Q: I don't have a gun. I've never even shot before. Can I do this class?
A: This class was designed for ladies just like you! You can rent a firearm & holster to use for $25. You just purchase the ammunition you need - costs vary by caliber depending on the gun you choose. Once you attend Lady Warrior Weekend, you'll have a much better idea of what type of gun and holster will work for you.
Q: How much ammunition do I need?
A: Bring 150 rounds of Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). You are also welcome to purchase it from us if you let us know in advance of class.
Q: I'm nervous about the unarmed self-defense part. I've never been in a fight in my life and I'm not in the greatest shape. Will I be able to keep up?
A: Our Lady Warriors come in all shapes, sizes and skill levels! We have the resources on hand to bring beginners up to speed and also challenge our more experienced participants. We want you to be comfortable and safe but we also want you to challenge yourself! Ladies are welcome to "opt out" of any drill (guns or Krav) if you're not comfortable.
Q: What is the event schedule?
A: Friday we start at 1pm in the classroom and then spend time on the range. We wrap up at 6pm with dinner/social time. Saturday is range day from 9am-3pm. Ladies get dinner on their own that evening and return to the range at 7pm for the night shoot. We generally wrap up at 10pm. Sunday is Krav day from 9am-3pm.
Q: Why is there a long break on Saturday?
A: You will welcome the 3 - 4 hour break to take a nap, relax, shower/change clothes and eat before heading back for our low light / no light drills which will go until about 10PM.
Q: Can I register for just one part of the event (pistol - Fri/Sat or self-defense - Sun) or do I have to attend both?
A: We encourage you to join us for the entire weekend but we also know it can be tough to break away for the entire weekend. Yes, if you prefer the pistol portion only, the cost is $150. If you prefer the self-defense portion only, the cost is $125. Simply note your preference in the comments section of the registration form.
Q: What clothes should I pack for Lady Warrior Weekend?
A: Friday dress is casual but since we will throw a few rounds down range, please wear sensible clothes (pants/no low-cut blouses) and closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes are fine) so to minimize the chance that someone will catch hot brass. For daytime shooting on Saturday, dress in jeans or tactical pants, sturdy belt & closed-toe shoes or boots. Again, no low-cut blouses, tank tops, sleeveless or deep V-neck shirts. Bring a jacket for Saturday night in case it gets cool. Sunday dress is gym / work out style gear -- nothing too fancy as you WILL be on the floor & you WILL break a sweat. See Required Gear for more details!
Q: What kind of flashlight should I bring?
A: You want a flashlight with a tail-cap button (on/off switch) and a retention lanyard to wear around your wrist. We also recommend that it's small enough to fit in your pocket and brighter than 60 lumens. This doesn't have to break the bank. You can find these at most of your local grocery and hardware stores for under $15.
Q: I have special dietary restrictions, do you have a refrigerator available that I can use for my prepacked meals?
A: Yes, we have a commercial refrigerator and microwave available for all students to use for the weekend, if needed.
Our Level 2 course is geared toward ladies who have their license to carry and do so daily with confidence. When they're home, they're either armed or have ready access to their
pistol. They have either attended Lady Warrior Weekend Level 1 - or - have attended an advanced firearms course that focused on safely and efficiently drawing from the holster.
This course is designed to amp up the stress and challenge your defensive mindset to respond to real-world attack scenarios. You will learn to shoot & move and shoot from behind cover from various positions. You'll complete complex live-fire drills with your pistol and have to make decisions as to when you shoot (threat) or don't (guy with a cell phone = no threat).
When it comes to home defense, we'll take you beyond your pistol and introduce you to the other two popular home defense weapon systems - the AR-15 and the shotgun- and explore the benefits of both. You'll also be introduced to the safety and operation of each firearm and then we'll give them a shot!
We'll also have a criminal defense attorney present to participate in a Q&A session so you can get your legal questions answered with regard to use of force, personal defense, home defense & those "what-if" scenarios.
Finally, we'll spend a day building our Krav Maga skills & test our defenses against simulated attack scenarios such as carjackings and attempted abductions.
Meals Included: Friday Dinner and Saturday & Sunday Lunch
Session Length: Friday - Sunday Course Fee: $275
Check out our Plan Your Trip page for area lodging ideas.
Q: Is there a minimum age requirement to participate in LWW Level 2?
A: Ladies must be 21+ since it is assumed you have a concealed handgun license and actively carry your gun.
Q: I am traveling by airplane and don't want to transport my gun. Can I rent one of yours for class?
A: Yes, you can rent a firearm & holster to use for $25. You just purchase the ammunition you need - costs vary by caliber depending on the gun you choose.
Q: How much ammunition do I need?
A: Bring 250 rounds of Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). You are also welcome to purchase it from us if you let us know in advance of class.
Q: What is the event schedule?
A: Friday we start at 1pm in the classroom, head out to the range for live-fire rifle and shotgun drills and settle back in the classroom for the legal presentation. Dinner follows at 6pm with more legal discussion and social time. Saturday is range day from 10am-4pm. If you've got any energy left, you'll still have a few hours of daylight to explore the area. Don't stay up too late because Sunday is Krav day from 9am-3pm.
Q: What clothes should I pack for Lady Warrior Weekend Level 2?
A: We'll be on the range Friday and Saturday so dress accordingly - long pants, sturdy belt, no low-cut blouses, undershirt/camisole, closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes are fine) and cover clothing (overshirt or jacket). Sunday is Krav so dress in workout attire.
Q: I already own an AR-15 and/or shotgun. Can I bring them along so I can train on my own firearms?
A: Heck, yes! Many women have these firearms in their homes but are intimidated by them. Lady Warriors need to be comfortable handling all types of guns in order to keep themselves and their families safe, so if you have them - feel free to bring them.
Q: I don't have a rifle or shotgun. Is there an added cost to use yours?
A: No. The course fee includes your rifle and shotgun rentals and associated ammunition.
Q: I have special dietary restrictions, do you have a refrigerator available that I can use for my prepacked meals?
A: Yes, we have a commercial refrigerator and microwave available for all students to use for the weekend, if needed.
Our Lady Warrior Boot Camp is geared toward the ladies that simply cannot give up an entire weekend to attend one of our Lady Warrior Weekends, but want a crash course on gun handling, ownership & operation, and learning unarmed self-defense techniques when she can't carry a gun.
Spend the day with us to learn how to manipulate your firearm under stress, understand the nuances of drawing from the holster, and learn ways you can defend yourself to gain space to access your firearm, or to gain the precious seconds needed for a quick escape.
Bring your own gun/ammo if you have it, otherwise, rental guns, gear, and ammo are available for an additional charge. Lunch is included in the course fee.
Session Length: Single Day (9a-5p) Course Fee: $150
Q: Is there a minimum age requirement to participate?
A: Ladies 13 years and older are welcome if accompanied by a parent / legal guardian.
Q: I don't have a gun yet. Will you supply one for class?
A: Yes, you can rent a firearm & holster to use for $25. You just purchase the ammunition you need - costs vary by caliber depending on the gun you choose.
Q: How much ammunition do I need?
A: Bring 150 rounds of Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). You are also welcome to purchase it from us if you let us know in advance of class.
Q: What is the event schedule?
A: Class runs from 9am until 5pm. We will work around inclement weather, if necessary.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Refer to the Required Gear section above.
Q: I have special dietary restrictions, do you have a refrigerator available that I can use for my prepacked meals?
A: Yes, we have a commercial refrigerator and microwave available for all students to use, if needed.
Judi Phelps is Range Owner / Operator at On Guard Defense. She is a CKM Smart Safe Level 2 Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Chief Range Safety Officer. She developed Lady Warrior Weekends with you in mind. Judi knows how vulnerable women are to attack, having survived one herself. She designed these retreats to be a safe, welcoming environment to help ladies develop a defensive mindset, learn gun safety & marksmanship and unarmed self-defense techniques that can save your life but, preferably, keep you out of danger before it unfolds.
Katie Smith is an integral part of the success of our Lady Warrior Weekends. She is an On Guard Defense Staff Instructor, a CKM Smart Safe Level 2 Certified Instructor & NRA Range Safety Officer. Katie is our lead instructor for our Krav Maga classes & boasts 5+ years of Krav training and Martial Blade Concepts (MBC) training. She recently earned her Associate Instructor status with MBC and is currently teaching classes and workshops at On Guard Defense and remote locations.
Still not sure whether Lady Warrior Weekend is right for you? Check out the videos below to get a glimpse of what you'll learn.
What a great weekend!! So empowering!
Love the approach to training and everyone was so patient!
Also, a great weekend with women. Met a lot of great ladies.
Thank you for caring about women taking ownership in protecting and defending ourselves. You have a great team!!
The impression that stood out the most was the SAFETY ON THE RANGE and welcoming and care from Scott and Judi. Whether it be the substantial home cooked food or the steady eye contact and smile from Scott, I felt like I was in very good hands the entire weekend. The attention to gun safety can not be overstated....
On Guard Defense is absolutely committed to the education of firearms and gun safety for all participants. There is no “everyone should own a gun” mentality. It is about AVOIDANCE of victimhood. I knew I was a cautious and prepared 52 year old woman, carrying mace with me everywhere. I run through daily scenarios in my anxiety ridden brain, regularly. But THIS WAS THE WATERSHED TRAINING that I have needed so badly. What will I do in the moment?
Overall take away leaves me wanting to get strong and stay strong. I loved the no rush approach to firing the guns and the excessive Range Safety Officer staffing for my safety. Every RSO was super cool and zero drama. The real DEADLY life scenarios with live ammo DONE SAFELY will stick with me forever. You may have saved my life!
Thank you, Carrie, for inviting me. Hand Strikes and Kicking are damaging weapons to bad guys!
Thank you, JUDI, SCOTT, KATIE, JERRY, CALEB,SCUDDER, DAN for being cheerful and assertive at the same d*mn time.
I plan on doing it again next year and bringing more women.
AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!!! My daughter and I went to Lady Warrior weekend. We learned so much valuable information!!! It is a must do for women of ALL ages!!! The information we learned will help us to avoid dangerous situations and how to defend ourselves if the situation is unavoidable...
We also learned gun safety, I feel the information I learned was so valuable I am no longer afraid of guns because we learned to properly handle a gun in a normal and a stressful environment. We also learned how to physically defend ourselves if someone is trying to harm us physically. So much advice/information was given in a 3 day time frame that will last a life time!!
I am so glad my 19 year old daughter was able to go, I now feel comfortable for her to go places without me because she has the skill and training to defend herself in a unavoidable situation. I did not want her to be a victim and now she has the information and training to help avoid/defend herself. I HIGHLY recommend this training!! Thank you so much Judy and staff!!!!! Also Judy is the BEST cook!!!!