By Jim Workman
One of the most unique educational opportunities available for West Virginia students from fourth grade through high school is looking for more instructors.
Archery in Schools, an educational program from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, is holding an instructor training Dec. 8 and 9 at JBC Archery Center in Shady Spring.
“It's been some time since we’ve held a training session in the Beckley area,” said Jerry Westfall, program coordinator for Archery in Schools. “Thanks to JBC Archery Center and owner Chuck Frye, we can once again provide this training to area physical education teachers and coaches, as well as others from around the state.”
The program provides more than just another pastime, and it’s all-inclusive, Westfall said.
“It gives students a chance to develop a life skill,” he said. “It has no limiting factors: any age, sex or ability can participate. It’s especially good for non-athletic types who do not participate in athletic program and it’s very useful for disabled students. But there are some very athletic people involved as well.”
AIS has been a popular program since its inception in 2004.
“This is by far the fastest growing outreach program by the DNR,” Westfall said. “It’s an easy sell. Kids love archery. Kids that participate in this program are seeing improvement in attendance and improvement in grades and their performance in other classes.
“For a lot of kids, it’s the first time they see that with a little effort, they can make a positive improvement. Schools that have bought into it have no regrets.”
Registration has started, with the deadline to sign up for the training Nov. 25.
“We have about 20 people signed up,” said Westfall. “We’re looking for anyone interested, but we’re targeting PE teachers and coaches first. They’ll receive preference, or any teacher at a school not already involved.
“We’re hoping more schools to get it into PE system. They can also develop after -hours teams. They go to state tournament.”
The program has a state tournament, held on the final Saturday in March. It will be held at the Charleston Civic Center in 2010.
“We had nearly 500 participants last year. We’ll have a lot of room at the Civic Center, so we could be well above that this year.”
“We’d like to see more participation in Raleigh, Fayette, McDowell and Wyoming counties,” Westfall added. “We would like to see it in all schools in the state with fourth through twelfth graders.
For more information on Archery in Schools, visit www.wvdnr.gov /archery.
To register for the training, contact either Billie Shearer or Westfall at 304-558-2771.
— E-mail: jworkman@
register-herald.com
