The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) is pleased to announce that for the second year, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund has invested in the kids of NASP®! When millions of happy customers make a purchase at their local Cabela’s store, they’re asked if they’d like to “round up” the total to the nearest whole dollar to help a worthy outdoor cause. Those who agree are saying “yes” to helping millions of eager youth across the country to discover their interest and aptitude for archery and the great outdoors.
NASP® is very pleased to announce that it has been selected as a repeat recipient of a grant from the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund (COF). With this award, COF remains a Gold Medal NASP® Sponsor.
Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to efforts that promote and protect hunting, shooting sports, trapping, fishing, camping and conservation. This fund is possible through donations from generous Cabela’s customers who choose to “round up” their purchases to the nearest dollar at Cabela’s stores. The Cabela’s Outdoor Fund contributes to other like-minded organizations in communities across the country working to make the great outdoors even better.
NASP® is a 16-year old non-profit youth target archery program presented by educators as part of a school’s curriculum to students in grades 4-12. Last school year more than 2.3 million students, in 14,000 schools located in 47 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and 9 other countries participated in NASP®. At its US National Tournament in May of this year, the record for the world’s largest archery tournament was set again by NASP® at 14,492 students.
NASP® is very proud to report that 100% of last year’s funds from the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund supported two areas that directly impacted students. Half the donation was used to increase NASP®’s annual equipment grants to schools. Once teachers at a school become NASP®- certified they purchase a $3,100 NASP® equipment kit to begin the program. These kits include: 12 Genesis bows, 120 Easton aluminum arrows, 5 targets from Morrell, Feradyne, or Rinehart, a backstop curtain, a repair kit, and a bow rack. New schools, recommended by their jurisdiction’s coordinator, are provided up to $1,000 towards the purchase of this new equipment. Over the past seven years of this equipment grant, more than 2,700 new schools have been provided such grants. This grant by COF will help provide financial support to about 466 new schools joining the program. According to participation surveys, this means about 55,000 new students will be added to NASP® participation roles in 2017-2018.
The other half of the COF grant funds were awarded in the form of cash scholarships to
143 student archers at various NASP® State Championships this past February-April. These scholarship funds are held in the student’s name until they decide to pursue education or training after high school. When the student contacts NASP® with his or her plans, checks are made to the educational institution and sent to the student to use as financial aid. To date, NASP® has awarded $1.3 million dollars in cash scholarships!
“The National Archery in the Schools Program has an amazing impact on the lives of thousands of young students and outdoor enthusiasts. Not only are they introduced to archery and the great outdoors, these students build life-long friendships and are given opportunities for scholarships,” said Scott Wanetka vice president of Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. “Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is proud to support NASP® as a Gold Member Sponsor.”
NASP® Vice President Tommy Floyd said, “We at the National Archery in the Schools Program®, are humbled and grateful for this continued support from Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. We continue to be proud of our efforts to put 100% of their funds to directly support kids and schools. We are indeed committed to all that is good for students and their success. Having partners like the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund makes the mission of positively impacting millions of lives even more possible.”