We do about 6 youth programs each year in our area. Most of the time I'm too busy for photos but occasionally my wife or someone will take some. After reviewing photos from a program done earlier today I thought that I would share a couple. This is a group of home schooled kids and parents, but we also do them for scouts, church and school groups, and others.

It's my believe that it's very important we do as much as possible to bring young and old kids into our sport. If you have photos of kids or groups that you have worked with then please feel free to post them here. I'll probably add more photos later.

We don't want to make this a bragging event, but rather a chance to encourage others to join in. I find a great satisfaction is helping someone take that first shot with a traditional bow.

For this program we had a show and tell of plant and animal fibers and materials used for cordage or clothing. Then a look at primitive bow and arrows, and a try at knapping. Lastly we let everyone shoot a bow several times and split them up into two teams for some quick competition. After two hours they went away with a little knowledge of what our forefathers had to work with.

Good Job, Don!!!      

Pretty cool.

Don,
That is great !

We are in a homeschool group here in TN. Both my kids are homeschooled. My daughter has since graduated and is now in college. I just bought the J2 quiver from you for my son and his osage selfbow. You can search the TN threads and see how we brought archery to over 70 kids at summer camp for the past two years. Good work Don !


nocams

Excellent job, Don!

Thanks Nocams, that's what I was hoping for. It is a fact that if we don't share it, our sport (or way of life) will cease to exist.

Several years ago we started a club here with the intention of learning and teaching ourselves and then others skills like knapping, bow building, making cordage, and fire starting, along with hunting skills. At the initial meeting I ask the question, "Do you think that we should have a youth program in the beginning?" Everyone present (more then 20 people) said "yes". They agreed that youth must be involved in order for traditional archery to survive. When the question was ask, "Would anyone be willing to be responsible for a youth program?" there was a noticable silence in the room.

That seems to be the dilemma. Everyone thinks that there should be youth programs but few people have time to volunteer. That's what this thread is about, to encourage more participation. I have found (as many of you probably have) that there is usually more then enough pleasure to compensate for the work involved.

Here are several of the kids who shoot here in the shop.

 

Very cool way to go Don!

Robin Hood Wanabes shoot here also.

Everyone must be out working with kids or hunting.

Don, you are doing a good thing there. I wish I lived a little closer. All the way and then some. Don

   

Very cool!

Don, it's a long way, but when you are in the area stop by. On Tuesday nights we have a knock down and drag out competition for the big guys. You are always welcome.

In November we start a kid's (and parent's) winter league on Thursday nights. Most of the summer programs are over, but we are always open for a local group that wants to learn or participate in primitive/traditional archery.

I have fun working with kids (big and small), but it sure does limit my time in the woods. I'm afraid Bernie is going to get one before I do this year.

Go gettum Bernie!