National Archery in the Schools Program Comes to Emery County Schools

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Designed to teach international style target archery in physical education class fourth-12th grades, core content covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, core strengthening physical fitness and self-improvement. Before presenting the archery course, teachers undergo an eight hour NASP Basic Archery Instructor Training Program.
Students shoot at 80 cm bulls-eye targets placed before an arrow curtain in their gymnasium. Equipment used is state-of-the art and designed to fit every student. Thanks to support from the archery industry, the $6,000 equipment ‘kits’ can be purchased by schools for $3,100 to $3,500 dependant upon which targets and bow hanging units are chosen.
One neat thing about NASP is it’s an individual sport…if you’re the best, you’re the best. The state has an annual competition in Salt Lake City where teams can go to compete. There is also a national tournament in Kentucky each year that students who qualify can go to compete. There is also virtual tournaments they can participate in against any team in the USA.
There is testimonial after testimonial of the power of this program where students’ lives have been changed through gaining higher self esteem, bringing grades up, attendance up, social skills improved. There is a coach at Thomas Jefferson Junior High in Kearns that has an autistic student in his group. This boy spoke very little, had poor grades, poor attendance. After being in the program, his mom came up to the coach in tears and thanked him. This boy is now talking, his grades are up, and his attendance is up and his self esteem is through the roof.
The only school sport safer than archery is table tennis. There has never been a serious injury in the history of NASP, training 8.8 million students so far.
A huge thank you goes out to Larry Davis, Garth Johnson, and Jim Jones for their willingness to allow this program to come into their schools.
Also thanks to Kevin Reynolds, Eric Mortensen, Ferd Allred, Kirk Robinson, and Jarett Gilbert for agreeing to become NASP coaches for their schools. They have all completed their eight hour training and are ready and excited to get the program started.
If you interested in learning more about NASP, visit the NASP website at nasparchery.com.
Thanks to Buckhorn Archers, SFW, and UDWR, and all other businesses and individuals who donated so generously to help get the money to be able to get this program in our schools.
There will be minimal costs to keep the program running, besides arrows, targets, etc., matching T-shirts, jackets for coaches, travel money, etc.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated. For more information please contact GayLee Jeffs at the Emery Recreation Center at 381-2108 and she can get you in touch with Buckhorn Archers.