Ideas for Girl Scout archery class

[macbow]

I'm going to teach a a group of girl scouts some basics in archery. To qualify for a "patch" the course has to have at least 6 elements.
I thought I'd cover:
History
Types of bows.
types of strings and string making.
Feathers from the turkey to the arrow.
arrow types and construction.
Plenty of shooting mixed in between.

If anyone has any ideas or links to help with the history or anything please jump in.

If anyone has ever designed a girl scout archery patch, could use some ideas.
Thanks, Ron

[WestTnMan]

I did that with the Boy Scouts before. One thing you might want to cover is why you have to shoot feathers when shooting off the shelf and why you can't shoot plastic vanes. Some of the kids might have access to an old recurve at home and go to Wally World to get a few arrows and they always end up with plastic vanes and are soon very disapointed and give up. Also, you might want to explain how to use tabs and why to use one. Kids can never figure out how to get them on. I carried a light recurve, a couple of dozen arrows and a 3D target on alot of campouts. It was always non-stop shooting because someone always wanted to shoot. Alot of the kids had never shot a bow and a few still shoot because of what we did. Now they are getting married and having kids of their own, really makes me feel old. Have fun, the kids are worthy of your best effort.

[Voodoofire1]

macbow I applaud you!! around here the girl scouts have put their emphasis on selling things, my daughter just quit because that's all they did, glad to see other councils have not lost their focus in teaching and learning...Steve

[ishiwannabe]

I have been teaching my nephew and step son....they love to shoot. When they hit the target they go nuts. I took that thought and added balloons....man they go nuts when one pops. Seems to help em pick a spot too...
Cool thing you are doing. Good luck.

[Bard1]

it's a bit of a pain to clean up, but you can go to staples or office max, and pick up a "tube" of cheap R/W computer CD's and they make fun targets too.  They sorta "explode" when you hit one, and the kids like that.

[eagle24]

Ron,  Good for you!  I just finished conducting an archery station at a church camp with some boys.  I had a blast working with them and the kids had a blast as well.  Couple of things I learned.  They can't handle much draw weight.  I bought six fiberglass youth bows.  2 were 20-25# and 4 were 25-30#.  Before the day of the camp I was thinking that I would'nt need the lighter bows (these kids were 8-19 yrs old & all boys).  In reality I only had about 6 kids (out of 21) that could handle the 25-30# bows and needed more of the 20-25# bows and had several 10-12 yr olds that could'nt handle them well.  Also, we blew up some small party balloons and taped them on the target, they loved bursting the balloons more than anything else.  I also carried a 3-d deer target and let them all take a few shots at it at the end.  It was also a big hit with the kids.  Good luck!

[AnointedArcher]

Just a suggestion when it comes to shooting, it's a good thing to have arm gaurds and finger tabs or no glove rubber fingers on the strings.  I know if they hit their arms a few times they relate archery to pain and it might turn them away.

[shootrmn]

I just finished helping teach an archery class for a project school. It was rewarding beyond description. The best advise I can give is take some balloons for targets on the final day. The kids love things that pop when shot. I highly commend your efforts. I hope more of us a re given the oppertunity to pass on what we know and love.
 http://archerysociety.org/  try this site for some good links and history.

[macbow]

Thanks Guys, Taking notes of aLL suggestions. I've been in on teaching shooting to kids and parents groups many times so that part I can handle. Shootrmn, the web site was a big help on some history.
Shooting will be their reward for sitting through the class portion. I think they will enjoy making an arrow and strings etc.
I'm in the process of moving or I'd have them make a simple board bow. Most of my shop equiptment has already traveled to storage.
Ton

[ChuckC]

Make it safe and make it fun and it will be a winner.  Whatever you do.
ChuckC

[Gray Buffalo]

Macbow where you moven to?

[Bonebuster]

I help teach kids through a (partially) state funded program  at a local shop each winter. It is alot of fun.

Anoited Archer brought up a good point. Finger protection, and arm guards are a must. Boys are boys, and girls are girls. The boys can whack their arm and blow it off, not so with the girls.

I recommend having someone there to help you when
the shooting starts. Just extra eyes if nothing else. All the history and technical data is great but they are gonna want to shoot. Get balloons.

Show them the basics of good form and they will take it from there. If they have trouble with the arrow wandering off the shelf or rest, have them try drawing three fingers under, this seems to help.

I have found that the boys already know it ALL.
But the girls seem to listen to your instructions
and they will get it fast. Good luck.

[macbow]

Jerry, We are going to the country. Near Truman lake. Still have to sell the house, will be back and forth till then.

Good points Bonebuster, I should have several helpers. I'm going to pick up some tabs etc. this weekend at the Flatrock shoot Here in Mo.
Ron

[UKarcher]

I second the ideas about balloons, tabs and armguards. One other thing you might want to carry is a few scrunchies...that's what they call them here anyway. They're for putting long hair into a ponytail. It's just another safety thing to keep long hair from tangling in the string.
Graham

[bowmofo]

I think safety should be one of the six elements that you should cover with special attention on how to pull arrows out of the target carefully not to poke the eye of someone standing behind trying to get a look. Mike

[woodchucker]

I think bustin' a bunch of "thin mints" would be more fun than shotin' at bullseyes if you ask me.....

As for shooting vanes off the shelf.....I've never had a problem.Most of the arrows sold in the dept. stores now are fletched to be shot cock vane down,through some type of forked rest on a compound.

Set your nock points about 3/4" above level and nock the arrow cock vane up. at resonable ranges,you will not have any problems.

Thanks for helping to "pass the torch"!!!!!