Archery Training Brings New Opportunities to Local Schools
by Marilyn Santucci
On Monday, January 20th, a full day of archery training brought together ten dedicated teachers from seven different schools, aiming to introduce a new and exciting activity to their students.
The training session, lasting six hours, was led by Tim Walker, a certified trainer with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Walker, who traveled from Peterborough, Ontario, generously offered his expertise, filling a gap as there are currently no NASP trainers available in Quebec.
The participating schools included four high schools—St. Thomas, Westwood Senior, PCHS, and Macdonald High School—as well as three elementary schools: Maple Grove, Allion, and Terry Fox. Teachers from these institutions embraced the opportunity to learn a skill they can pass on to their students.
What is NASP?
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an in-school initiative designed to enhance educational performance for students in grades 4 to 12. By teaching archery, the program helps students develop essential life skills such as focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and perseverance. Since its establishment in 2002, NASP has introduced over 21 million students to the sport of archery, fostering personal growth and success both in and out of the classroom.
Investing in the Future
To support the integration of archery into their schools, the school board has purchased two sets of archery equipment. These will be shared among the participating teachers and schools, enabling students to benefit from this program. Teachers expressed enthusiasm about bringing archery to their classrooms, recognizing the value it can offer in enhancing student engagement and personal development.
This training session marks the beginning of a promising journey for both teachers and students. By incorporating archery into their curricula, these schools are not only diversifying their extracurricular offerings but also equipping students with skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
