My thanks go out to Terry and the TradGang for supporting the Traditional archery community and allowing this post.

Over the past several years, a group of people have made rattan kid's bows at Cloverdale and other gatherings.  This was the brainchild of Dean Torges.  We skipped last year at Cloverdale for several reasons but one of them was because the effort and cost required became concentrated on too few people.  I want to change that and I need your help.

***DONATION GOAL HAS BEEN MET***  First off, I need supplies and for this I need(ed) funds.  Thank you to everyone for your generosity in sponsoring this program.  I am astounded by the good will of everyone.  I have more than met my donation goal so I don't need any more money right now.  Thanks again!!!

My plan is to make about 40 bows.  If I get 40 sponsors, there will likely be money left over.  I'll simply roll that over to next year's or maybe other gathering's supplies.  I will provide an accounting to anyone who is interested.  I get requests throughout the year for bows too so I will use any excess funds for those.  

Each sponsor will get recognition of their choice on a poster or sign (anyone know a signmaker?) I will put up at Cloverdale.  A neat idea would be to do this in recognition/memory of the person who gave you your start in archery or hunting.

***I have canopies!***  Second, I need(ed) two 10'x10' (or one 10'x20') E-Z Up style pop-up canopies for about 6 hours on Saturday morning (June 13th).   Let me know if you can help with this.

Third, I need some labor.  

Before the shoot:
I plan to have about half of the bows done before the shoot.  If you live in the Indianapolis area, I would love to have some help getting this done.  We can work out schedules.

Arrows:  I need 120 1/4" arrows.  3 fletch with field points.  24" long is fine.  A well-selected 48" dowel works fine for 2 arrows.  I can supply you with the pieces parts but I'd prefer to reimburse you for the cost.  If necessary, I can order them and have them shipped to you.  If you aren't going to the shoot, you'll need to ship finished arrows to me.  Of course, we save money if you come to the shoot.  It's worth it just for the meat fest on Saturday night so please consider that.


The Saturday morning of the shoot:  
From 9:00 - 12:00 I need about 10 people to help with setup, laying out the bows, making strings and tillering the bows, etc.  

I need a couple younger people to decorate and add handle wraps/arrow rests.  Creative teenagers are good at organizing a couple kids for this.  

I need a couple people to pass out bows and then a someone or two to help the kids with shooting the bows.  We will have a foam board with balloons.  

No prior experience is necessary for any of these tasks.  If you've ever tillered a bow, that is helpful for that task.  I will have a training session (such as it is) before we start.

At 10:00 I want to do a fairly quick but thorough demo of the bowmaking process.  My goal is to inspire folks to do this in their communities.  I will pass out Dean's article on the process afterwards.  We will then make 20 or so bows.  I plan to be done in a couple hours and cleaned up by 1:00.

Please contact me at j.scifres@sbcglobal.net if you can help

Sincerely,

John Scifres

Set-up a PayPal account for the bow donations John and I can just about guarantee you the $400 you need for materials.    

Thanks David.  I am doing this.

e-mail on the way

Let me know when you get the account set up and I will sponsor 10 bows. I may also be able to give you a hand at compton as I plan on attending for my first time. Send me a reply or call 231 206 2446. Don

I'll sponsor 5 bows.... PM me when you're setup with pay pal.

melamos_4@msn.com

Mel

I'll sponsor one. Sounds like a great thing you're doing here    

I will be there and I have a 10 x 10 canopy you can use.  I will also help build bows if you want.  Let me know what you need for tools/sanders too.  My wife can watch my vendor booth during that time.  Chad

John, I will be there also, need strings or help let me know ! Steve

John, I'll be there to help anyway I can.

I'm trying to convince my brother and nephew to go this year... they're just outside of Indy.  My nephew started shooting recently (one of those ugly solid fiberglass things that kick like a mule!)

Count me in to sponsor one.

If you'd like, I can see how many simple kid's quivers or armguards I can make by June.

John sent you a PM

Wow.  I am stunned by the support.  Thank you all.

I will get back to everyone in a little bit.

I am setting up the PayPal Donation account.  I'll post a link as soon as I get a chance to finalize it.  Thanks again David!

Chad, that's great!  You can be the tillerer unless Dean shows up and demotes you.  You all realize he's the big dog.  I'm just his whipped pup  

Dano, sweet.  It'll be great to have you there.

Jeremy, we've never done quivers but that is a great idea.  They don't have to be anything fancy.  Armguards are much appreciated too.

I have added the option of donating directly to this using PayPal.  You can click the link below and donate whatver you'd like.  Thanks.

 DONATE NOW  

My PayPal Account is j.scifres@sbcglobal.net if you already are setup with them.

Thanks again to all of you!  I am amazed and humbled.

John, I just sponsored 2 bows for the kids.
Hope to see you someday at one of your hunts again.
Roland

I'll sponsor 5 bows.  Can you send me your info so I can mail you the money.  Great work  !!!  Bhill

Roland,

It worked!  That was my first donation on PayPal.  Thank you so much.

John

John,  if the armguards are going to be of more use, I'll just concentrate on those.  I should be able to knock out a bunch if I can convince my wife to help out.

Jeremy,

Yes, that sounds like a good idea.  Thanks again.

John

If my shoulder doesn't get any better, you guys will have to make me a kids bow to use for this year. This shoulder surgery is a long, slow road to recovery.

Thanks to all of those who have agreed to help. I use to know how many hundreds of bows we gave a way here, but I have lost count a few years ago.

I don't forget the look on the kid's faces though.

Good work John.

P.J.