This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with FWP Education Program Assistant Ryan Schmaltz about the Archery in the Schools Program. First, you all are going to love Ryan! He has so much energy and enthusiasm for this program and man what a job he has done! He has been all over Montana getting schools involved in this amazing program and training teachers how to teach it. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has been championing this program for about 15 years but over the last few years it has really taken off! It is part of the National Archery in the Schools Program or NASP which has, since its inception in 2002, reached over 23.5 million students, primarily in grades 4-12. The program operates in all 50 states, boasting a 50-50% male/female participation rate. But get this, in Montana last year alone about 150 schools included the program in their PE classes with over 14,000 Montana youngsters participating! But this is more than kids shooting arrows at targets and blocks of foam shaped like animals. It is changing most all the kids that participate! That is why you have GOT to watch or listen to this podcast. You can do that on MontanaOutdoor.com, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and many other websites and directories! Here is an example of what we mean by changing the kids. Ryan pointed out that in the recent State Tournament that a whole bunch of schools traveled to Helena to participate in, he looked out over the sea of well over 200 4th through 12th graders and did not see one child looking at a cell phone during the entire tournament. Oh, they had their phones with them, sticking out of their pockets and such but THEY WERE FOCUSED! As Rigger put it, “THAT is unheard of and just flat amazing! When has anyone ever seen that many kids and not one is looking a cell phone?!” Oh, but there are even more positive ways that this ancient sport is affecting our kids so be sure and watch this podcast now to find out more!
Links:
Click below to learn more about the National Archery in the Schools Program or NASP.
https://www.naspschools.org/
To learn more about the program in Montana click below.
https://fwp.mt.gov/education/national-archery-education
Questions for Ryan? Use the address below to email him.
RSchmaltz@mt.gov
Your host Downrigger Dale would love to hear from you, the address below to email and tell him what part of Montana you want to discover next! After-all, this is your podcast too!
Downrigger@MontanaOutdoor.com