02-07-2008, 05:10 PM
Close to 300 students throughout the state will compete Feb. 9 in the 2nd annual National Archery in the Schools Georgia Fun Shoot.
The best-of-the-best from elementary, middle and high schools in 13 counties will convene in Perry for the state Fun Shoot, which is coordinated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), and is open to all state schools enrolled in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).
A total of 295 students in grades 4-12 have registered for the event. Participation in the shoot has nearly tripled in size since last year.
"The increase in archers from 2007 to 2008 is amazing," said Jennifer Bailey, WRD shooting sports program director. "This shows that archery reaches across all boundaries - high schools, middle schools and elementary schools, both public and private - all shooting bows together proving that this sport will work for just about any kid in any school."
Division winners at the state Fun Shoot will have the opportunity to compete at the NASP National Tournament held May 10 in Louisville, Kentucky. Teams and individuals from 49 participating NASP states will vie for college scholarships and other prizes.
The state Fun Shoot is conducted at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in conjunction with the Georgia Wildlife Federation's Great Outdoors Show. The Feb. 9 shoot will be held in the Miller Murphy Howard Building next to gate No. 24 (West Gate).
Teams of 16-24 students as well as individual archers from each school will compete in three separate divisions - elementary (4th-5th grade), middle (6th-8th grade) and high (9th-12th grade). Archers will shoot at 10- and 15-meter intervals in three flights (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.).
The Fairgrounds gates will open at 10 a.m. An awards reception will begin following the completion of the final flight. The team from Marion Middle School in Buena Vista won first place last year, while teams from East Laurens Middle School in Dublin placed second and third.
There will be several activities for participants during the Great Outdoors Show. Admission is free for shooters and coaches and $8 for observers. Food and refreshments for participants are being provided by The Georgia Outdoor Network, which also assists year-round in providing schools with funding for NASP equipment.
The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter is located off Interstate 75. Driving directions can be found at www.gnfa.com.
The NASP is an in-school archery curriculum that meets all education department standards. Only schools that are certified in NASP through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are qualified to compete in the Georgia Fun Shoot. More than 50 counties in Georgia are NASP certified.
The program promotes instruction in international-style target archery to improve educational performance and participation in shooting sports. Research has shown that the program, administered through a two-week course during the school year, improves class attendance and behavior. NASP universal fit bows make it possible for students of all sizes and genders to succeed in archery while raising self-esteem levels and improving hand-eye coordination during physical activity.
The NASP will be taught in 49 states as well as Australia and Canada by the end of the school year. To date, more than 2.3 million students have gone through the program.
For more information on the NASP in Georgia, recreational shooting sports opportunities or to find a range near you, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, contact a local WRD Game Management office or call (770) 918-6416.
The best-of-the-best from elementary, middle and high schools in 13 counties will convene in Perry for the state Fun Shoot, which is coordinated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), and is open to all state schools enrolled in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).
A total of 295 students in grades 4-12 have registered for the event. Participation in the shoot has nearly tripled in size since last year.
"The increase in archers from 2007 to 2008 is amazing," said Jennifer Bailey, WRD shooting sports program director. "This shows that archery reaches across all boundaries - high schools, middle schools and elementary schools, both public and private - all shooting bows together proving that this sport will work for just about any kid in any school."
Division winners at the state Fun Shoot will have the opportunity to compete at the NASP National Tournament held May 10 in Louisville, Kentucky. Teams and individuals from 49 participating NASP states will vie for college scholarships and other prizes.
The state Fun Shoot is conducted at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in conjunction with the Georgia Wildlife Federation's Great Outdoors Show. The Feb. 9 shoot will be held in the Miller Murphy Howard Building next to gate No. 24 (West Gate).
Teams of 16-24 students as well as individual archers from each school will compete in three separate divisions - elementary (4th-5th grade), middle (6th-8th grade) and high (9th-12th grade). Archers will shoot at 10- and 15-meter intervals in three flights (11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.).
The Fairgrounds gates will open at 10 a.m. An awards reception will begin following the completion of the final flight. The team from Marion Middle School in Buena Vista won first place last year, while teams from East Laurens Middle School in Dublin placed second and third.
There will be several activities for participants during the Great Outdoors Show. Admission is free for shooters and coaches and $8 for observers. Food and refreshments for participants are being provided by The Georgia Outdoor Network, which also assists year-round in providing schools with funding for NASP equipment.
The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter is located off Interstate 75. Driving directions can be found at www.gnfa.com.
The NASP is an in-school archery curriculum that meets all education department standards. Only schools that are certified in NASP through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are qualified to compete in the Georgia Fun Shoot. More than 50 counties in Georgia are NASP certified.
The program promotes instruction in international-style target archery to improve educational performance and participation in shooting sports. Research has shown that the program, administered through a two-week course during the school year, improves class attendance and behavior. NASP universal fit bows make it possible for students of all sizes and genders to succeed in archery while raising self-esteem levels and improving hand-eye coordination during physical activity.
The NASP will be taught in 49 states as well as Australia and Canada by the end of the school year. To date, more than 2.3 million students have gone through the program.
For more information on the NASP in Georgia, recreational shooting sports opportunities or to find a range near you, visit www.georgiawildlife.com, contact a local WRD Game Management office or call (770) 918-6416.