By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–There was excitement from students this year when Tammy Harris announced the National Archery in Schools Program would be returning to her fourth grade Union City Elementary School PE classes.
Tara Dowdy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is back for a second straight school year, instructing students on all phases of archery, including safety and the 11 steps critical to shooting.
“The students were really excited when they found out we would be doing this again,” said Mrs. Harris, who is in her 35th year of teaching physical education at UCES and teams with Antawn Coby to teach fourth-graders at the school. “Last year, we had both the third and fourth grade introduced to the program, but this year, it’s just the fourth grade.
“And they remembered last year and how different and new and exciting it was then. They were much more comfortable this year and remembered so much of what they were taught last year.
“It’s definitely something fun for them.”
Dowdy taught the students one hour of safety last week before allowing them to shoot at targets in class this week. Like Mrs. Harris, she “could tell the ones we had last year,” Dowdy said.
“Some told me they even went out and bought their own bows.”
Union City Schools was the first in the area to have the National Archery in Schools Program. The program not only teaches archery skills, but also encourages students to get outside where they can be physically active, according to Mrs. Harris.
Mrs. Harris said the activity also “promoted and improved concentration, focus and self-esteem.”
“And I think we may have found a few hunters in the class, too,” she added.
The 11 Steps of Archery Shooting addresses everything from how to stand to how to hold the bow.
The National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) is a joint venture between state Departments of Education and Wildlife. Several archery equipment manufacturers and organizations are also partners.
The program promotes student education, physical education and participation in the life-long sport of archery.
The Reelfoot Longbeards – the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation – have also gotten involved in the program, having written and received a grant to help buy new archery equipment and have the existing equipment serviced.
NASP has engaged more than 18 million students in over 14,000 schools in 47 states since the organization was founded in 2002.
The program was started in Tennessee in 2004 and the state was the 17th to join NASP.
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