By Ray Metzler
Hunter Education Coordinator
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Alabama’s exciting "National Archery in the Schools Program" (NASP) is a unique partnership between the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and the State Department of Education.

The focus of the NASP is to provide Junior Olympic Archery Development style target archery training in 5th – 12th grade physical education classes. Approximately 75 schools from Mobile to Huntsville have implemented the program since its inception in 2003.

The program provides students with an opportunity to become involved in a life skill that has no barriers. Unlike many activities, students of all sizes can easily be involved in archery.

Core content of the NASP curriculum covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement. Before presenting the 2-week archery course, teachers undergo an 8 hour National Archery in the Schools Program Basic Archery Instructor training program.

Mathews Genesis bows and full length aluminum arrows are used in the program to minimize the need for specialty bows and arrows. This combination of bows and arrows allows teachers to implement the program without purchasing bows for each individual student. The bow/arrow combination fits all students up to a 31 inch draw length.

The program culminates each school year with a state championship event held in April. Approximately 550 students participated in the 2006 state championship held at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center on April 18, 2006.

Participants shot 15 arrows from 10 meters and 15 meters for a possible score of 300. Erin Jordan (279) from Charles Henderson Middle School in Troy and Baxter Reeves (285) from Floyd Middle Magnet School in Montgomery were the highest scoring female and male shooters, respectively. The 2007 state championship will also be held at the BJCC on April 17, 2006

Parents of school aged students can assist the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries by encouraging physical education teachers to implement this program into their unit of study. Teachers can obtain information regarding the program from the Department of Conservation website: www.outdooralabama.com or by calling Ray Metzler, Hunter Education Coordinator at 1-800-245-2740.