Planting the seed of traditional archery

[Greg Szalewski]

This past weekend I was pleased to help out good friend Kenn Paulson (1Scrseagle, stone artist and master engraver) along with Joe Lasch(Whip), and Dave Dwyer of Dwyer longbows put on a youth archery event for Kenn's long time friend. The event is called "Take A Kid Outdoors" (TAKO). We set up a very makeshift archery range as everyone was showing up for the shed antler hunt. Then after the shed hunt the kids took a mile and a half hike to a park where we once again set up an archery range for them. Although we had many tip over targets to shoot at the target of choice was the much smaller beenie babies. If the kid hit the beenie baby with the arrow they were allowed to keep it so they took a pounding. All in all it was a huge success and hopefully those little seeds of traditional archery interest will sprout into a life of enjoyment like I have experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see there was much enthusiasm. Every bow that was availible was on the line. We had Black rinos, home made glass laminated bows, and many PVC bows. It did not matter. If they could pull it back an arrow was coming out of it.

[Sirius Black]

Outstanding Greg! Where was the event held?

[glass76]

Doesn't get much better than that! Great job guys.

[cmh]

[Pete McMiller]

Way to go Greg and Joe.  What a neat event.  Need help next year - call me.  I really enjoy working with the kids.

[Whip]

It was a great day in the outdoors!  After the long winter there was a lot of pent up energy from the kids,  parents,  and helpers combined.  

It was cool to see the kids so excited about shooting the bows.  One was so shy at first he wouldn't even look at us or the other kids.  Before it over he was flinging and retrieving arrows right along with them.  

Many of the kids had never held a bow before.  A few brief instructions was all it took to get them having a great time.  One little guy shook with giggles every time he let an arrow fly.  

A great time was had by all!

[CBergeman]

Nice job guys!  

[slim_grim]

Super cool!  

[Whip]

Sirius,  the event was held near West Union,  IA in the NE part of the state.  TAKO volunteers do a number of events each year that have included things like fishing,  building bird houses,  collecting rocks in a stream -  just about any activity to get kids outside and learning about the natural world. Great program!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Looks like a few antlers were found to boot.

Thanks for the pictures Greg and to everyone else for making it happen.  

[4dogs]

       

[Steve O]

Good for you fine PBS boys!  Kenn's friend is quite a philantropist for all the right things.  Wish that was not so far away from me.  I'd love to help and I'd also like to go explore all those trout streams in the summer time...

[monkeyball]

Great job guys!!!!!!

[Fletcher]

Outstanding Guys!  My hat's off to all of you.            

[Redfeathers]

[1screagle]

We are really blessed with friends like Whip, Greg, Dave Dwyer, Nathan Fikkert and my long time friend Rick Fisher who selflessly give of themselves to spread the seeds promoting the outdoors to our kids. The man who started this TAKO event tells me every time I see him how this archery shoot has been the kids favorite event since the first held last year. The group found a way to build the PCV bows to keep shooting as Joe & Greg brought the gear for them to use from Wisconsin Traditional Archers equipment made for this kind of teaching. I believe the size of the kids group doubled from last year. Please donate unused equipment to your clubs for this purpose. So awesome to see so much enthusiasm. You guys are the best!!

[T-Bowhunter]

       

[wooddamon1]

[awbowman]

       

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Great job! I highly respect that!,!