Archery

Archery Project

In the Archery project youth will:

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. 

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



Project Plans


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.


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