Archery
Archery Project
In the Archery project youth will:
Learn safe and responsible use of bow and arrow
Shoot with proper form
Care for bows and arrows
Score targets and shoot with a recurve bow
Prepare to compete in tournaments
Age: 9 and older (must turn 9 before December 31, 2023)
Limit: 8 archers per meeting due to space and equipment limitations
When: Fridays once a month 5:30-7:30 Sept-Oct and Mar-May weather dependent.
Where: Meetings in Castro Valley near Vannoy. Target shooting at Redwood Bowman Archery Club in Oakland.
Cost: Redwood Bowman Club has a suggested $5 donation to use their archery range per visit.Â
Project Leaders: Megan Hornbecker and Jennifer Zaretzka
Teen Leader: Fiona
Tentative Meeting Plan:
Sep 24 Safety Meeting, instructions, archery practice
Oct 6 Icebreakers, safety, training, target practice
Oct 20 Icebreakers, safety, training, target practice
Feb 9 Safety Meeting, instructions, archery range practice
Mar 15 Icebreakers, safety, training, target practice
Apr 12 Icebreakers, safety, training, target practice
May 10 Safety, training, archery trail practice
More dates TBD
Help find a local space
Do you know anyone with a large enough property that we could set up a range so all members could participate at the same time? If they meet the 4-H range layout requirements all meetings would be fully covered by 4-H insurance so no homeowner risk is involved. We have volunteers that can set up and maintain the range.
Members must print or download PDF of Health History & Treatment Authorization form to give to Project Leader in order to participate.
1. Improves your focus
Remaining focused during a shot is important for every archer. An archer must focus on their target, focus on their form, and ignore the distractions around them. By constantly being focused, it can help you focus and keep calm in high-pressure situations.
2. Improves your hand-eye coordination
Archery trains your hands to aim based on the feedback from your eyes. With continuous practice and repetition your coordination becomes better. The better coordination an archer has, the better the aiming.
3. Improves your upper strength
The arms, core, chest, and shoulders are all used when practicing a proper draw. Similar to lifting weights, an archer usually holds their draw for a couple seconds, which allows for tension in the muscles. Repetition of this action leads to muscle development.
4. Improves your social skills
Archery can be an individual sport or a team sport. When an archer competes in a tournament they are usually grouped together with other archers for scoring. Archers can get to know each other while they walk the course together. Teams are important in archer too. Working as a team and supporting one another is important for the success of the group.
5. Improves your confidence
Archery provides a boost of self-esteem to archers when they see their mental and physical skills improving during practice and tournaments.