April 12, 2023
Since the inception of the National Archery in the Schools Program, the focus has been on making a positive impact on the lives of students. After 20 years, and with over 20 million+ students safely introduced to in-school archery, there are many extraordinary stories about lives that the program and its instructors positively impacted. NASP® is excited to share a new feature to the NASP® website, entitled Why NASP® – Success. These success stories are a collection of evidence to share with the NASP® family. Our archers are known for their determination, strength, and resilience. These stories are just a sample of that evidence.
Archery is an inclusive sport that allows people of all abilities to participate. It doesn’t discriminate based on athletic skill, size, gender or economic background. Students are learning focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life.
Confidence is one of the qualities that grows in students participating in archery. A NASP® coach from Kentucky shared that, “During her 8th grade year, Sophie hit her stride and the opportunities provided by NASP® gave her an opportunity to find her voice…NASP® has given Sophie an opportunity to find several inner strengths in addition to participating in competition.”
The normal athletic mobility and skill required for many other sports isn’t found in archery. This allows NASP® to provide an athletic program open to almost all students. Adaptive equipment is one way that archery has been made accessible for even more physically challenged archers. One NASP® school principal wrote about his student, Kaiya, “Unfortunately, there are opportunities that are simply unavailable to her, such as fully participating on a basketball or volleyball team. When Kaiya entered grade four, I was excited at the possibility of her becoming a member of the… archery team.” Kaiya further explained, “I found a way to participate in archery using only one arm to pull the string and release the arrow… It has not been the easiest thing to do, but that never made me stop.”
Academic success and the support of educators is another priority for NASP®, and when students find success on the range – it often translates into success in the classroom as well. One parent shared that her daughter Emily, “Began to experience greater success in the classroom, receiving numerous awards for academic success as well as being recognized for her character… and has continued to show leadership and determination.” NASP® just celebrated its largest enrollment ever for Academic Archer, with 34,577 student archers nominated by their local coach. More information about this academic recognition program can be found at: https://www.naspschools.org/2023aaresults/
The National Archery in the Schools Program delights in the positive impact that is made wherever it is launched. All of the people associated with it, are proud of its twenty-year safe and positive history and the many lives changed…..” One Arrow at a Time!”
If you would like to read the complete success stories of Sophie, Kaiya, Emily and more of our extraordinary NASP® students, you can find them at https://www.naspschools.org/why-nasp-categories/why-nasp-archery/
We want more success stories! Parents and coaches are invited to share the success of their archers by sending their stories to stephanie@naspschools.org
For more information on how to bring NASP® to your school, please visit: https://www.naspschools.org/bring-nasp-to-your-school/