AmmoLand.com

Archery in the Schools Program Instructor Training
August 11 and 12 in Charleston, West Virginia.

National Archery in the Schools Program

Charleston, West Virginia - -(AmmoLand.com)- The Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with Kanawha County Board of Education, will host an Archery in the Schools (AIS) Program instructor training on August 11 and 12 at Kenna Elementary School in Charleston, according to Jerry Westfall, DNR’s AIS Program Coordinator.

“It has been quite some time since an AIS Program training was held in the Kanawha Valley,” said Westfall. “Thanks to the cooperation we have received from the Kanawha County Board of Education, we can once again provide AIS training to area physical education teachers and coaches, as well as others from around the state. We are very excited about the potential expansion of the AIS program by involving schools not yet participating. Based on the interest we have received so far, and the number of local schools, this training should be quite successful.”

The AIS Program is the DNR’s largest and fastest growing educational program. Since its inception in 2004, more than 35,000 students have been introduced to archery as part of their PE classes in 183 West Virginia schools. The program teaches Olympic-style, target archery in both public and private school’s Grade 4-12 PE classes. “But in order for schools to have the AIS Program, they must first have a certified instructor – preferably a PE instructor or coach who will introduce as many kids as possible to the joys of target archery,” said Westfall. “The DNR has about four trainings a year; and, because class size is limited to 25, training slots are highly sought after. As an added incentive, teachers taking this training may be eligible to receive Continuing Education Hours (CEH’s).”

Please note this training will cost $25 for all school employees and $50 for non-school employees. This fee will be paid to WVDNR – Archery in the Schools Program (via check, money order, or exact currency only) during the first morning of the training. The deadline for signing up for the training is July 31.

To register for the AIS training at Kenna Elementary, please call Billie Shearer at 304-558-2771; e-mail billieshearer@wvdnr.gov. For more information on the AIS Program, you can visit the DNR’s AIS Web site at www.wvdnr.gov/archery or call DNR’s AIS Program Coordinator Jerry Westfall at 304-558-2771; e-mail jerrywestfall@wvdnr.gov.

Filed under: Archery News by AmmoLand No Comments »

Ashville, Alabama Middle School Wins NASC National Archery Championship

Alabama Middle School Wins NASC National Archery Championship

National Archery in the Schools Program

Ashville, Alabama - -(ShootingWire.com)- The Ashville (Alabama) Middle School Archery Team recently brought home top honors in the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Championship held in Louisville, Kentucky. The students scored 3,350 out of a possible 3,600 points and placed first out of 65 middle school teams. Ashville qualified for the national championship when they won the middle school state title in Birmingham earlier this year.

While Alabama schools have done well in past national championships, Ashville Middle School is the first team to win this prestigious event. Coach Jeremy Cox is excited and proud of their efforts. Nathan Owens and Stephanie Whisenant of Ashville Middle School each finished second in their respective division as individuals.

This is also the first year that an individual from Alabama finished in first place within their respective age division. Katie Rappuhn, a fifth grader from Breitling Elementary in Grand Bay, Alabama shot a 283 out of a possible 300 points to take first place among all female elementary participants. Her team from Breitling placed 17th out of 56 elementary school teams competing.

A total of 12 schools representing Alabama competed at the championship. More than 4,500 students from 35 states and one Canadian province were represented at this year’s national tournament. Scoring for the championship is based on Olympic style, target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Competition included team and individual levels. NASP archery is a co-gender sport with every team required to contain boys and girls.

The NASP was founded in Kentucky in 2002 and has since spread around the country. The program was introduced in Alabama in 2003, and approximately 153 Alabama schools participate in the NASP program. In Alabama, the NASP is a joint venture between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Alabama Department of Education.

The program promotes participation in the lifelong sport of archery as part of a school’s physical education course and after-school programs. The NASP program can also be included as a unit or activity in the Lifelong Individualized Fitness Education (LIFE) course as part of the Alabama Course of Study. The program meets the criteria of one credit for physical education required for high school graduation.

State Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton praised the students for their success. “I congratulate these dedicated students for bringing home Alabama’s first National Archery in the Schools Championship and for their commitment and hard work,” he said. “Archery in the Schools offers students a sport and competition away from the traditional sports arena. Students also benefit from learning a sport that can be carried into adulthood for a lifetime physical activity. The Alabama Department of Education is proud to be a partner in this program that gives students an experience that makes them feel better about themselves, about physical education, and about school.”

“Congratulations to the winners of the archery competition,” said Dr. Jack Hataway, Chronic Disease director with the Alabama Department of Public Health. “For those who participate in it, archery contributes positively to mental and physical health. Archery requires the use of many muscles as well as mental concentration to focus on targets. It represents a good way to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Filed under: Archery News by AmmoLand 1 Comment »