Pa. Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
SUCCESS STORY
Archery: Outdoor Recreation
SUMMARY
In the fall of 2015, the Bureau of State Parks launched into a promising partnership
with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Recognizing the need to expand
interest in archery sports, the commission provided 15 Explore Archery kits to
state parks scattered across the state. These kits contained all the necessary
equipment and lesson plans required to teach archery safety and technique for
sport and hunting. Interest in the new programs was immediately evident and
continues to be strong. Each park was asked to hold a minimum of two events in
exchange for the equipment. The initial commitment was fulfilled at all parks,
several sites even exceeded those expectations. The program is well loved by the
educators and the attendees.
Partnership is the key
to success
The Pennsylvania Game
Commission is a major partner
on this project. They
purchased equipment for the
Explore Archery kits with
grant money received through
the Easton Foundation.
The kits enabled PA State
Parks to implement archery
programs that teach people
safe hunting and shooting
practices. The program also
expanded the breadth and
depth of outdoor recreation
programming in parks across
the state.
CHALLENGE
Existing cultural norms and availability of food no longer demands the development
of the skill set associated as essential for rugged survival; however, there are many
people who want to preserve traditional sportsman culture and pass on these skills
to future generations. Additional interest was recently spurred by a popular book
series which featured a heroine with exceptional archery skills. Unfortunately, many
youth -- though interested -- do not have the opportunity to learn these ancient
skills due to lack of resources or appropriate location, thus cannot explore the sport
safely and effectively. Recreational shooting skills are best taught by certified
instructors with the appropriate equipment.
In years past, a select group of state parks had begun to offer recreational shooting
courses utilizing archery loaner kits provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission
or hosting festivals that focus on archery skills and competition. Unfortunately,
these programs were few and far between. The feasibility of program expansion was
not realized until the offer of partnership with Game Commission.
SOLUTION/RESULT
Development of the Explore Archery program is the first step toward
addressing the public’s desire to learn about the craft of archery. The
solution to adding more education programs and recreational shooting was
to focus on archery in state parks. Every park using the Explore Archery
kits must have at least one staff holding the USA Archery Level 1
certification; at present, over 46 state park staff hold the certification. The
partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission enabled archery
programing enhancements within eligible parks across the state.
The archery programs teach people from 8 years of age and older, how to
“nock an arrow and strike a target.” The classes focus on safety,
equipment, techniques of shooting, and allow you to practice what you
learn. The parks provide all the equipment needed for the lesson including
arm guards and two different types of bows, re-curve and compound.
SUCCESS/SUMMARY
In the fall of 2015, the Pennsylvania Game Commission provided 15 Explore Archery kits to state parks scattered across
the commonwealth. As a whole, the Explore Archery program hosted 52 events at participating parks, opening the door
to archery sports for 700 participants. In fall 2016, an additional 7 kits were distributed to Pennsylvania State Parks for the
2017 program schedule. These 22 kits, shared by all the state parks staff holding the USA Archery Level 1 certification,
provide a highly valued learning resource which will allow hundreds of citizens to safely learn about archery in the coming
years.
The Explore Archery program offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission should be marked as a
Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan success. The creation and distribution of the Explore
Archery kits helped expand outdoor recreation programming and expand hunting skills programs through educator
training and equipment provision.
Through the programs we addressed the following action item:
 Resource Management and Stewardship: Sustaining Natural Resources and Public Investment: Expand successful
hunting and fishing programs such as hunter education, field days, mentored youth opportunities and family
fishing days by training local organizations, state and local park personnel and volunteers
“Through this partnership, over 700 visitors
tried their hand at over 52 Explore Archery
events”
-
Christine Ticehurst
For more information on the Explore Archery Program as offered in PA State Parks, contact Christine Ticehurst [email protected]
Explore Archery Kits: http://usarchery.drivemarketing.com/equipment/genesis-recurve-bow-equipment-kit.html
Archery Event Tab: http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/calendar?event_types%5B%5D=80132
For more information on Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov and click on “State Parks”
or contact Tamara Peffer, Communications Liaison, Bureau of State Parks, DCNR - [email protected]