The Pennsylvania National Archery in the Schools Program, is dedicated to providing quality instruction, information and support for implementation of archery in the physical education curriculums. Safety and a positive atmosphere for students is of utmost importance.

Archery teaches concentration, discipline and respect, as well as allows for students that are not stereotypical athletes the chance to excel. We are committed to providing assistance in all areas of the coordination of the program directly with the schools before, during and after the program completion. We strive to provide a quality program to teach our youth a new interactive skill that can be enjoyed as a family activity for many years.

NASP Program Design

The written curriculum exceeds national PE standards.

The core content includes safety, equipment, technique, mental concentration, self-improvement and archery history.

The curriculum is eleven steps to successful archery, for grades 4 - 12.

Equipment includes bows, (which are universal draw length, lightweight design), arrows, target arrow stops, back-stop arrow resistant curtain, (repair kit, bow tree or bow hangers (optional), and plans for a storage box so that the program can be conducted in the School gymnasium.    

Equipment may be customized, that is, only order what you need.

PA NASP POLICY - AUTHORIZED INSTRUCTORS

The only individuals that are authorized to conduct the Pennsylvania National Archery in the Schools Program in their School as part of the physical Education Curriculum or as an after School Archery Club, (endorsed by the School, with certain exceptions), are the teachers who have satisfactory completed the eight hour BAI, (Basic Archery Instructor), workshop by passing the test at the end of the workshop. The teachers who pass will receive ACT 48 Credit from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, upon completion of a Graduate Information form with their social security or professional number attached to the form by way of a separate piece of paper that is sent to the state coordinator. Once the ACT 48 Credit has been filed and accepted, the social security or professional number will be shredded.

THE EXCEPTION mentioned above, is that Adults, other than teachers, are permitted to conduct an after School archery club, as long as the School endorses it and everyone involved in any way is a NASP CERTIFIED Instructor and conforms to the law. (Background check) NO EXCEPTION ! All persons who conduct the NASP MUST have a BAI or higher NASP certification, which is an eight hour class on how to properly and safely run an archery program, pass a test and MUST always adhere to all guidelines at all times. These guidelines are what makes archery an extremely safe sport for millions of youth.

"Archery is one of the few physical activities that actually teaches success. Regardless of physical ability, previous experience, social skills, etc.... Archery has proven time and time again its ability to break down barriers and improve self esteem as it develops into a life sport for the participant"

Additional Highlights

Most School insurance policies recognize the safety of archery by providing coverage under existing policies that cover all other recreational activities.

A section on teaching students with disabilities is included.

As of November 28, 2008, sixty three, (63), Schools have certified  Basic Archery Instructors teaching the NASP.

In addition to the PA NASP State Championship Tournament on April 3, 2009, for all three Divisions, Elementary (4-6), Middle School (7-8) and High School (9-12), a Regional Championship Tournaments may be held where their are four or more Schools competing in a Division.

There are currently 46 participating States and Canada, Australia , Nova Scotia, South Africa and New Zealand conducting the NASP and the plan is to have all the States on board by the end of 2008.. Twenty Countries are looking at the program, with the plan to join the NASP. 

Clubs, Youth organizations, Camps in Pennsylvania and pro shops, have been certifying archery instructors as "Basic Archery Instructors", since May of 2005. The NASP Certified Instructors have been using NASP equipment to teach, what we call,  "NASP SIMILAR" instruction,  teaching archery to new archers and developing "SHOOTING FORM" for both new and existing youth archers, using the Genesis bow or their own archery equipment.

In July, 2008, NASP started the development of  "BEYOND NASP", which is a program for students who have graduated and have a desire to continue to develop their archery skills. The program is to bring the graduates, sportsmen's clubs, pro shops and manufactures together, to assist the graduates in their archery needs. A "BEYOND NASP" DVD will go on sale in early January for $19.95 plus shipping. The DVD is designed to help parents, instructors, pro shops and everyone else in the continued development of archery. Contact the state coordinator for additional information.

If your school would like to receive more information about this program, please contact:

Alfred / Al Towler, 727 Meadow Wood Ave., Pottstown, Pa., 19465, (610) 326 4650

PA NASP State Coordinator     www.nasppa.net

Site for bow storage equipment plans.