Gear
Why does NASP® use the Genesis bow?
In 2002, when NASP® was started, the Genesis bow was the only universal draw length bow available. NASP® adopted the Genesis bow to keep the program fair for all.
Why does NASP® only use 1 type of arrow?
One bow, one arrow. Keeps the program fair and on a level playing field.
Why are NASP® teams so large?
A NASP® team is 12-24 archers with at least 4 of the opposite gender. Team scores are compiled from the top 12 archers scores & must include at least 4 of the opposite gender scores. NASP® is a Life Sport. Some students have never had the chance to be a part of a team, the way the teams are structured, those students that need NASP® can be a part of the team.
Is the Genesis “Carbon” version Original Genesis legal in NASP® competition?
Yes. The limbs are film dipped, the internal components are identical to all standard Original Genesis bows, therefore there are no advantages. See the Genesis website.
General
Why & How was NASP® created?
Educators are looking for ways to improve student motivation, attention, behavior, attendance, and focus. Teachers strive to achieve state and national educational standards regarding development of micro and macro motor ability and listening and observation skills. They hope to engage each student in the educational process and develop relationships to promote graduation instead of drop-out. Wildlife Conservation agencies are concerned too many young people are forgoing learning outdoor skills that will inspire them to spend more time with wild things in wild places. Natural resource professionals are convinced learning target shooting skills will result in character and self-reliance development that will serve the future of wildlife conservation well. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) was developed to serve these specific educational and conservation purposes. NASP® was co-created by the Kentucky Departments of Fish & Wildlife Resources and Department of Education and Mathews Archery in the late summer and fall of 2001. The program was launched in 21 Kentucky middle schools on March 3, 2002. Originally called the “Kentucky Archery in the Schools Program”, the effort’s goal was to enroll 120 schools and teach target archery skills to 24,000 students each year. Kentucky gave itself three years to achieve this goal. Within the program’s first year the 120-school goal was achieved and because of neighbor-state interest, “National” replaced “Kentucky” in the program’s name. NASP® also expanded its participation standards to include students in 4th-12th grade. Shortly afterwards NASP® was granted 501 c (3) non-profit educational foundation status. NASP® is overseen by an all-volunteer board of directors. Every state, province and country enrolled in NASP® has a “Coordinator” in charge of leading the program in their jurisdiction. For a complete list of participating states, provinces, and countries, their coordinators, and contact information.
How do schools join?
Click here Click here to get started
Equipment to get started:
- Bows (original Genesis) 12 – (10 right / 2 left)
- Arrows 10 dozen
- 5 Targets
- 1 Backstop net (arrow curtain)
- 1 Equipment repair kit
- 1 Bow rack
- 10 Floor quivers
- 1 Safety rules set of banners
- Whistle (one is included in the BAI materials)
- Blue painter’s tape (purchased by the school)
- Clearly defined shooting range (in the school gym)
How to order equipment:
After successfully completing NASP®’s eight-hour Basic Archery Instructor certification, equipment is ordered by the school through NASP®. The school can download an order form at www.naspschools.org and click on “GEAR”. Complete the order form and submit it. Delivery will be made directly to the school. For questions call 920.523.6040 Thanks to support from the national archery industry, the $5,000 equipment kits may be purchased by the schools for $3,000.00 – $3,300.00 dependent upon which targets and other equipment is chosen.
Servicing and maintaining equipment: Maintenance of the equipment can be done by instructors and/or local sponsors or partners of the program. Schools often create partnerships with local archery shops.
How do I get NASP® started in a new State, Province or Country?
Before NASP® can be adopted in any another State, Province, or Country we must agree upon a entity that will be charged with coordinating NASP® in that location. In the United States we require that a government wildlife conservation agency provide this lead. In Canada it is usually a province-wide Wildlife Federation or Department of Education. In South Africa it is a country-wide Hunter Education organization that works with school already. NASP® works because we partner with a Government entity. We do it this way to make sure NASP® is offered country-wide. If we started the program in a single school/state/country the program would fail to grow. To coordinate NASP® the coordinating entity must:
- Sign an agreement with NASP® to assure the program will follow our very standard, universal operating principles.
- Be willing to be the contact for NASP® in that country (web site, contact person, telephone)
- Be willing to set up training programs to certify teachers: 1st a Pilot Program with NASP® National Training Staff for 3 days then future trainings as needed when more schools want to join.
- Keep records and provide reports to NASP® regarding participation and instructor roles.
- Help organize a national tournament.
- Keep participating schools apprised of NASP® updates.
Why during school hours?
As one of our guiding principles when NASP® was first launched in 2002, we established that in order to participate in our tournament structure, archers must attend a school where teachers provide NASP® archery instruction during the school day. Our aim was to better engage students in their educational process through the shooting sports, for the sake of wildlife conservation. Next, we wanted to ensure that all students in a NASP® school had the opportunity to discover target archery. NASP® archery is taught in 70% of NASP® schools as part of the PE curriculum. The other 30% of NASP® schools make it a part of math, science, language arts, social studies, health, etc. In some of the most successful NASP® schools, teachers collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to provide theme-based lessons that build on the enthusiasm that students have for in-school archery. From our educator surveys we have learned that teaching NASP® improves student concentration, motivation, engagement, and behavior. Some parents tell us that their child always wants to attend when archery is on the calendar.
Of the of students who take NASP® in school, 77% say that they had never touched a bow before. If NASP® were only an after-school or club program, certain students might never be able to have that opportunity to discover archery. Transportation issues alone could be a real barrier for some disadvantaged students. We are glad that many NASP® schools ALSO have an after-school club. These clubs are often lead by parents with a faculty sponsor. However, we never allow an after-school only archery program (Scouts, 4-H, JOAD, etc.) to be called a NASP® participant and allow them to take part in our tournaments. There have been many instances over the years, where this requirement has led to the adoption of NASP® for all the students in a particular school, which goes back to our guiding principles.
NASP® is the largest youth archery program in history. We continue to grow at a rate of 9.3% per year. We expect this rate to increase over the next three years with our ever-increasing academic emphasis. Last year, NASP® issued $246,000 in cash scholarships to tournament winners. Next year it will be close to $500,000. These funds will not be spent on archery education, but instead will provide assistance with post-secondary tuition costs. An opportunity made obtainable by participation in, and paid for by, archery. I hope your school can join the other 13,500 schools (1,000 being added annually) that have offered NASP® during the school day – so that every student can discover the wonderful sport of archery.
Participants
Can I participate if I am home schooled?
Yes, NASP® encourages all schools including home schools to join. Click here to find out more!!!