Over the last couple of months or so, my darling wife and I have been experimenting with hosting and running some Self Confidence Building Workshops for kids. These workshops are based around traditional archery.
We get them shooting longbows, and we've been having some great results so far. We have been mainly dealing with special needs teenage kids with A.S.D (Autism Spectrum Disorder). They are usually very quiet and withdrawn when they get here. But after some one on one coaching, to see their reaction when they start hitting the target, is amazing. Jumping up and down with their arms in the air, yahooing, mile wide smiles and excited eyes. Really awesome stuff.
We start with a BIG target on a round hay bale and we start them close, like 7 or 8 yards. When they can keep 90% of their arrows on the target, we move on to some moving targets. We've got a system that releases an inch and a half thick 12" diameter cardboard disc, and the disc rolls across the paddock about 10 yards in front of them, and they try to shoot it. It's all safe and controlled, and when a disc gets hit, there is a heap more happy hootin' and hollerin' and big big grins.
Fun targets like baloons with a teaspoon of fluro powder in them, (FLASH balllons) are a big hit too.
It really is worthwhile and everyone has great fun. Their carers cannot believe just how much these kids respond to sucess and positive feedback.
The kids love it. Last lot that were here stayed for over 4 hours, they couldn't get enough. Even with "No-Gloves" on all bows, some of the kids shot so much they got blisters, and still didn't want to stop.
A big shout out here to Black Rhino Bows and Surewood Shafts too. Dealing with these two companies has been a real pleasure, nothing was ever concidered a problem, and they were extremely willing to help us get exactly what we needed at a very fair price.
We use 6 Black Rhino longbows, some left hand and some right hand, from 16# to 29#. These are perfect for these kids, right size and weights, and very sturdy. And the Surewood Kids Shafts have sure proved to be durable too.
My wife and I never thought we'd be doing something like this, it's not always easy, but man it is so rewarding.
Best
Lex
Topic: Confidence building archery. (Read 965 times)
