OK, here goes. Most of you know for the last 3 years now I have been volunteer coaching 4H archery here locally. I have had great support from you guys, JT Walsh,Vermonster 13, Stickhorse and Steve Long from another site  to name a few. Stickhorse(Bob Reese) recently sent a whole Samick Polaris set up from 3rivers to two sisters who are new to shooting archery, and they are sharing it with the understanding that if they quit/outgrow it it passes on to another youth in the club. The bow Vermonster donated is on its 3rd youth. These girls had never shot a bow, period, after 3 practice sessions, they are both shooting the centers out, and both prefer the recurve over the comound, genesis or hunter class. I have another new boy, who is a stone cold natural instinctive shooter with a recurve. Steve long had donated a T-Rex ILF riser and I found a new/used set of Samick Priv. limbs and put on it, made a string and tuned the bow, man for a cheap bow it would shoot great. Andrew the young man, had his mom bring  him over to pickup the bow, and we went out to shoot last night. After about 20 shots, tweaked the bow and his form a little, I put up a piece of neon yellow carbon wrap, about1" x3" on my target. He shot 5 shots at 10 yards and hit all five on the tape! He backed up to 15 yards, shot 2 5 shot strings and all 10 were in or touching the tape! He is pumped up and we got to talking, he asked if he could go hunting with me this fall, his dad doesnt hunt, so I may have gotten me a new hunting partner out of the deal.
  Last Saturday, 16 kids went to the 4H regional meet, long story short, they brought home 49 Trophies!! The  swept nearly every age group in the recurve class, and most of the others. The 2 Sisters mentioned above brought home 5 trophies, and Andrew brought home 3, he won his class/age recurve, and top recurve team class. Another youth shooting one of my Quinns, Got first class in his class, and was 1 point away from setting a state record, according to the officals. I was bummed out because I had to work, couldnt go and coach, but obviously the kids are listening and following through, their hard work is paying off. One young lady only got one trophy, was pouting a little, I explained its not about the competition, but having fun, enjoying archery and watching the arrows fly. I also pointed out that last year she didnt get any trophies, and this year she already had one, and that if she had not shot well, her whole team wouldnt have won the team event, and that her score was just as important as anyone elses on the team. I was speaking to her, in front of the group, and they all spoke up, told her she was the last one to shoot, and the most important one. I was really proud of them taking this tact, and focusing on teamwork, instead of individual ego, moreso than the trophies they won. I will have some pics forthcoming of the team shooting, just a big thank you to all of you, wanted to share this. If any of you are thinking of doing this, jump in, have fun, and make sure the kids have fun, and by the way, you will be the big winner in this when you see how the appreciate the help, and the smiles on their faces. Again, a big thank you to all of you that have contribute to helping me with these kids.Sam.

Nice work Sam.    

Way to go Sam! Yours, V-13, SH, & Steve's generosity humbles me. Sounds like great bunch of kids. Well done!

How cool is this?... Way!!! I'm saying!!!!!

You've done all of us proud Sam!

Thank you!

God bless,Mudd

PS: I can hardly wait to see the pictures... take your time though, I know it's turkey season.

Very cool story thanks for sharing!          

Good on you for helping out the kids. Great story

Great story!  Sounds like a wonderful group of kids that have had some excellent coaching!  Congratulations......

That is WONDERFUL!  Congrats to ALL involved.

Good deal, congradulations, it is obvious they have had a great coach. You have to very proud!

Nice going Sam!

Awesome stuff sir!      

Nothing better than keeping this tradition alive.  Hearing about kids putting down the PlayStation controllers for a bit makes me very happy.  These youngsters will be much better off in the long run because of all your coaching Sam.  Excellent work.

Most excellent Sirs!

   

QuoteOriginally posted by 4runr:
Most excellent Sirs!

X2

 

Outstanding! Hats-Off to those youngsters and all who helped. Special Kudos to you Sam for the time and Love you've shown those children.      

Thank you Sam for giving back to them kids ! This is what will keep trad bowhunting alive and well.

QuoteOriginally posted by rastaman:
Awesome stuff sir!          

Ditto

       

Great work Sam!  The satisfaction level of their achievements has got to make you as proud as anything can.  Sorry you couldn't be there to coach the shoot, and I'm sure while you were at work your mind was on those kids.  

Here's where we need a new smiley that tips it's hat to you and the other TG'ers who donated equipment and expertise to these kids, and gave them something that will be with them throughout their lives.