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, physical 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, grades 4-12.
Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources Objective: Declining participation in the shooting sports threatens financial and public support for wildlife conservation. The NASP has been successful in teaching over 2 million students during school hours. 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 ages. Educators are reporting that the NASP engages the unengaged and inspires students to greater achievement in school.
Development History:
The program began in Kentucky with the training of 39 educators on March 3-4, 2002.
In March 2002, the 22-middle school pilot project began with teacher training.
1,600 students were surveyed at the conclusion of their 2-week target archery class.
Before the Class (55% boys and 45% girls)
72% did not own a bow and 62% had never shot a bow
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:
Over 800 Kentucky schools 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.
The fifty states and 14 countries have inquired about the program. Inquiring places include: Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec,New Zealand, South Africa, Iraq, Japan, Spain, Finland, Morocco, and Barbados.
Forty-four states have adopted the program as of September 2007. Australia & Canada have also joined the NASP as well as 4,000 + schools. Six more states have also agreed to adopt the program.
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