07/02/2009
Bolinas-Stinson Middle School Gets New Archery Equipment
BOLINAS, Calif. — Students at Bolinas-Stinson Middle School no longer have to use worn-out archery equipment during physical education classes, thanks to the National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).
"At some point the school lost funding and couldn't afford to buy new archery equipment," said Pat McNeil, NWTF regional director. "So when they got the money to receive the new equipment through NASP, it was a real blessing."
The high school received 11 new bows, five targets, 60 arrows, a safety curtain, and a bow rack, totaling more than $2,600 of new equipment. The California Department of Fish and Game and the NWTF donated funding for this project.
"Northern California has a lot of outdoor opportunities," added McNeil. "Archery is a gateway to a number of outdoor activities, including target shooting and hunting."
The NWTF has donated a total of $718,000 to the NASP since 2004, and archery is a popular activity at many of the NWTF's JAKES events.
JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) is the NWTF's outreach program for youth 12 years old and younger. Xtreme JAKES is the NWTF's newest program for teens ages 13 to 17. Through local JAKES/Xtreme JAKES events held across the country, participants learn fun new ways to enjoy the outdoors.
"This donation and involvement really shows the local community that the NWTF cares about our youth and our shooting sports," said Ryan Mathis, NWTF western regional biologist.
The program's core curriculum covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement. Students shoot at bull's-eye targets placed in front of an arrow-resistant net in their gymnasium. The equipment used is state-of-the-art and is designed to fit every student.
Physical education instructors from the school volunteered to attend a day-long training course where they learned the basic shooting stance, shooting techniques, safety and proper care of equipment.
NASP was designed to partner with a state's Department of Education and its Fish and Wildlife agency to offer an Olympic-style target archery program to physical education students from fourth to 12th grades.
To learn more about the NWTF assisting the National Archery in the Schools program, contact Ryan Mathis at (707) 443-1646. Information about the NWTF's JAKES program can be found here.
