Program Overview:

National Archery in the Schools Program
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a joint venture between state Departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners. The program promotes student education and participation in the life long sport of Archery. The program's focus is to provide International style target archery training in physical education classes, for grades 4-12.

Department of Natural Resources Objective: Declining participation in the shooting sports threatens financial and public support for wildlife conservation. The NASP has been successful in teaching 1.4 million students during school hours in 2006 alone. We expect many of these young people to make Archery a life sport.

Department of Education Objective: Engage more students in the educational process to improve classroom performance and reduce dropout rates. The national school dropout rate is 10%. Most students (88%) who drop out of school indicate they were not involved in extra-curricular activities. Archery taught by the NASP is accessible to all students of nearly all age groups. Educators are reporting that the NASP "engages the unengaged" and inspires students to greater achievement in school.

Development History: The program began in Kentucky in 2002 with the training of 39 educators and 22 middle school pilot projects. At the conclusion of their 2-week target archery class, 1,600 students were surveyed (55% boys and 45% girls). Survey results are as follows:

Before the Class:

• 72% did not own a bow & 62% had never shot a bow before

After the Class:

• 89% enjoyed the archery class
• 45% wanted to own archery equipment
• 59% wanted to become target archers
• 38% wanted to try bowhunting

Current Status (as of January 2007)

• 650+ Kentucky schools (1 in 3) have adopted the program.
• 2003 NASP KY Championship attracted 651 student archers.
• 2004 NASP Championship, held in Louisville, attracted 1,291 student archers.
• 2005 NASP Championship attracted 1,702 student archers.
• 2006 NASP Championship attracted 2,164 student archers.
• 50 states and 14 countries have inquire4d about the program. Countries include: Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Australia, New Zealand, SOuth Africa, Iraq, Japan, Spain, Finland, Morocco, and Barbados.
• 40 states have adopted the program as of 2006. Australia has also joined NASP. New Hampshire and South Dakota are planned for January and February 2007.

How to Start a Program:

Starting a NASP Program in Iowa Schools
Getting a program started in your school is easy! Below are the program requirements:

Equipment Grants:

Purpose
The Iowa Archery in the Schools Foundation equipment grant program was established to promote youth archery by providing the equipment needed to conduct National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), international-style target archery programs. The equipment is usually provided as part of a "package" that includes all of the equipment needed to start a NASP program.

The Equipment
Each equipment package consists of the following equipment:

• 11 Genesis Bows (typically 10 right-handed and 1 left handed bows)
• 5, 80cm FITA-style targets and target stands
• 5 dozen full length aluminum arrows
• 1 safety backstop net
• 1 equipment repair package
• Shipping

Training:

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)
Archery Instructor Training

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) instructor training is offered through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The NASP course content is designed to teach archery instruction techniques to both archery novices as well as experienced archers. Course content includes range set up and safety, use of the string bow, eleven steps to archery success, coaching techniques, equipment nomenclature, inspection, operation, maintenance and repair.

Because NASP archery classes are conducted in school gymnasiums, teachers may volunteer their school to host a NASP archery instructor training course. There are three levels of NASP training available:

1. Basic Archery Instructor (BAI)
   The Basic Archery Instructor is an instructor certified to teach NASP-style archery to school-age students.
   Requirements:
   • Be at least 18 years of age
   • Attend the full day BAI course scheduled through the Iowa DNR
   • Pass a written exam administered at the end of the training
   • Training material cost is $30. Cost is paid by the DNR for teachers conducting in-school NASP programs
2. Basic Archery Instructor Trainer (BAIT)
   The Basic Archery Instructor Trainer is an instructor certified to teach NASP-style archery to school-age students and conduct BAI courses scheduled through the DNR.
   Requirements:
   • Be at least 18 years of age
   • Attend a 3 day BAIT course scheduled through the Iowa DNR
   • Pass a written exam administered at the end of the training
   • Training material cost is $35. Cost is paid by the DNR for teachers conducting in-school NASP programs
3. Basic Archery Instructor Trainer Specialist (BAIT-Specialist)
   The Basic Archery Instructor Trainer Specialist is an instructor certified to teach NASP-style archery to school-age students and conduct BAI courses and conduct BAIT courses. All courses must be scheduled through the DNR.
   Requirements:
   • Be at least 21 years of age
   • Attend a 3 day BAIT course scheduled through the Iowa DNR
   • Pass a written exam administered at the end of the training
   • Conduct one or more BAI trainings
   • Successful completion of a 3 day BAIT-Specialist course under supervision of a certified BAIT-Specialist

Shoot Schedule:

NASP Invitational League - January 1, 2008 through February 23, 2008
Starting in January, all Iowa NASP schools will be eligible to participate in the first ever, Iowa NASP invitational league. This league will allow local schools to get together and conduct a competition-style NASP shoot. Results from each competition will be recorded, sent into our office and posted to the DNR website creating a friendly, electronic competition. Top teams and individuals from the Invitational League will be recognized at the state shoot, March 1 at the Iowa Deer Classic. Please contact Iowa DNR Shooting Sports Coordinator Ben Berka if you are interested in hosting or attending an Invitational League shoot.