Archery Comes to Idaho Schools

By Al Van Vooren, Regional Supervisor Idaho Department of Fish and Game - Southwest Region Idaho recently became the 26th state to launch a new program providing basic Olympic-style archery instruction as part of the physical education curriculum of middle and high schools. Two dozen teachers, volunteers and Idaho Fish and Game staff from around the state came to Nampa in June to receive training and certification from Roy Grimes, coordinator for the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Program. World champion archer Jahna Davis, Montana NASP coordinator, was also on hand to assist with the training. Fish and Game's Southwest Region worked with Nampa's South Middle School to host the statewide training. The NASP got its start in Kentucky three years ago through a joint effort between the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Since then, the program has expanded to more than 120 schools in that state. By the end of this year, 44 states will be participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program. The program's success has been built on its popularity with students and the opportunity for students of all ages and physical abilities to learn and perform a skill on an equal basis. School administrators in other states have raved about the program, citing boosts to individual student's self esteem, and even improved school attendance on days that archery is scheduled to be taught. The program intentionally does not promote - or even address - bowhunting. Rather it focuses on target archery as a lifetime sport for individuals, regardless of their views on hunting. Fish and Game's participation comes from the fact that students participating in the class have been more likely to take an interest in bow hunting and wildlife in general, including the maintenance of good wildlife habitat. Eleven "pilot schools" have committed to conduct the program this fall. Program "kits" containing all the needed equipment to teach archery in a school gymnasium are being provided through funding from the archery tackle industry, Idaho Fish and Game, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The experiences of these eleven pilot schools will be drawn from to aid other schools expressing an interest in the program. Schools which went through the teacher certification and will be pilot schools in the fall are Nampa South Middle School, Nampa East Middle School, Nampa West Middle School, Eagle High School, Liberty Charter School (Nampa), South Fremont Jr. High (St. Anthony), Grace Lutheran School (Pocatello), Lakeland High School (Rathdrum), Boundary County Junior High (Bonners Ferry), Sandpoint High School and Woodland Middle School (Coeur d'Alene). Those interested in more information on the National Archery in the Schools Program are invited to visit their website at www.nasparchery.com. For information on the program's implementation here in Idaho contact Al Van Vooren, Fish and Game Southwest Regional Supervisor at 465-8465 or avanvooren@idfg.idaho.gov.