Local school approves archery classes

[Arwin]

I learned yesterday that one of Hastings elementary schools will begin archery classes starting next year. This is a great achievement in preserving archery and getting youngsters into the outdoors.
 I let them know I will be available if help is needed and am going to donate some arrows (shafts were given to me by Don Stokes) to the cause. So far, the school will be getting 12 Genesis bows, targets, arrows, and a back drop.
 If I am able to help out, I will also bring along a couple youth traditional bows I picked up for teaching this summer. The Physical Ed. teacher who spear-headed this is hoping it catches on to the other schools in our area. I hope it happens, convincing the school board to allow it took some work and he had his presentation all in line. A great day for archery for sure!!!

[Tim Fishell]

That is great news Arwin!!  It would be great to see more schools in the area start something like this.  Good luck and hope all goes well with it.

[Al Dente]

NASP is a great addition to ANY school.  It stands for National Archery in Schools Program.  It has finally caught on across the country.

[Maxximusgrind]

It is good to see this.It will most likely expose alot of yongsters to something they wouldnt experience otherwise.and give all of them great memories to share.

[action jackson]

   Awesome....Finally commonsence prevails,glad to see it happen close to home!! Hope the response becomes great and grows on...

   God Bless

Jack

[Bowwild]

The National Archery in the Schools Program started in 21 KY schools on March 3, 2002.  Today there are nearly 7,500 schools in 46 states, 4 provinces, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand teaching the program. This past school year 1.5 million students took NASP archery lessons from their NASP-certified teacher. In three more years NASP there should be more (2.6 million) kids taking NASP lessons in school than participate in little league baseball. The 2010 NASP National tournament will break all archery tournament records.  7,106 students (4-12 grade) from 35+ states have registered.

[owlbait]

How do you get certified to be a NASP instructor?

[Bowwild]

In Michigan you'd contact the DNR office and ask for Mary Emmons. She is the NASP Coordinator for your state. Mary can let you know when the next certification class will be offered.  The unique thing about NASP, and why it grows so fast is because the teacher in the school is certified to teach the students. THis means that archery becomes one of the classes taught at least two weeks every semester or quarter in the school. Those who aren't teachers can become teacher trainers (3-day training by Mary Emmons' crew of BAIT Specialists). You are lucky to be in a top 3 NASP state. Mary will have 400 schools in the program by June. She will receive an award next week from the national office for her work in your state.

[Fourarrows]

This is surprising considering the political trends in America. Glad to hear it is happening somewhere!

[18thcentman]

I remember archery in junior high gym class. This is great! Archery builds character.