Several physical education teachers from California, Jamestown, Boonville and Tuscumbia received training in archery instruction in the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program. The training was coordinated by Kevin Lohraff, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
The archery program is designed to teach International style target archery in fourth grade and up. The physical education class core content covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, core strengthening physical fitness and self-improvement.
The teachers go through an eight-hour Basic Archery Instructor Training Program of the National Archery in the Schools Program® before teaching the two-week archery course.
During the class, the students shoot at 80 cm bulls-eye targets in front of an arrow curtain in a gym. The equipment, designed to fit every student, consists of Genesis compound bows with no sights, 10-20 inch adjustible draw length and 15-30 pound draw. This is the only one allowed in competition. The company makes a mini version for toddlers as well as a pro version.
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.
The National Archery in the Schools Program® (NASP®) brings the sport of archery to millions of students in schools across the United States and various other countries.
According to information provided by MDC, more than 54,500 students participate each year in nearly 250 schools. More than 1,100 students participated in the 2012 state tournaments.