How to get a child started in archery?

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

My daughter, who is eight years old, recently tried archery in Girl Scouts and then again at a couple of fairs, and she professes to be in love with the sport. She enjoys the discipline, the focus and the excitement and is begging to take archery lessons.

While I am an avowed pacifist, and have never held or fired a gun or any weapon, I also have the opportunity to practice the tolerance that I say I believe in and not try to force my beliefs on my child (and it's not like she's asking to buy a semi-automatic gun or anything). Furthermore, I don't think I actually object to the sport of archery and I think it could indeed be very good at helping her further develop self-discipline and other important life skills. Plus, if she becomes good maybe she can help me control the rabbit population that eats my gardens every spring.

My questions, therefore, are simple. How do I get her started? I'm not the right person to teach her, as I don't know how to shoot a bow and arrow, and I'm pretty sure our neighbors would not like arrows flying through their yards as she learns the sport. I can have a small archery range built in our house if she truly develops a talent (we'd repurpose her old ballet studio, since that passion has faded!), but before I do that, think she should try it more than three times. Do I buy her a bow and arrow or do most people rent one? If so, what is a good set for a relatively small 8 year old girl? Where do most people practice? How do I find her lessons that are appropriate for a child who has no experience? What things should I think about, beyond the obvious safety issues?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sam_gordon]

My daughter, who is eight years old, recently tried archery in Girl Scouts and then again at a couple of fairs, and she professes to be in love with the sport. She enjoys the discipline, the focus and the excitement and is begging to take archery lessons.

While I am an avowed pacifist, and have never held or fired a gun or any weapon, I also have the opportunity to practice the tolerance that I say I believe in and not try to force my beliefs on my child (and it's not like she's asking to buy a semi-automatic gun or anything). Furthermore, I don't think I actually object to the sport of archery and I think it could indeed be very good at helping her further develop self-discipline and other important life skills. Plus, if she becomes good maybe she can help me control the rabbit population that eats my gardens every spring.

My questions, therefore, are simple. How do I get her started? I'm not the right person to teach her, as I don't know how to shoot a bow and arrow, and I'm pretty sure our neighbors would not like arrows flying through their yards as she learns the sport. I can have a small archery range built in our house if she truly develops a talent (we'd repurpose her old ballet studio, since that passion has faded!), but before I do that, think she should try it more than three times. Do I buy her a bow and arrow or do most people rent one? If so, what is a good set for a relatively small 8 year old girl? Where do most people practice? How do I find her lessons that are appropriate for a child who has no experience? What things should I think about, beyond the obvious safety issues?

Thanks in advance!

I know in my area, the YMCA has offered classes in the past and our elementary & middle school has archery teams. I suggest calling those and see they can give you any insight. If that doesn't work, google your area and "archery". Somewhere nearby is probably a range, make a call and ask.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Check your park district. I know ours started offering archery after kids wanted to take it after watching The Hunger Games. (Yes, I know how silly it sounds).

 

[barkley]

see if there's an archery range in your area. they often provide great begininer lessons (safety a high priority), and there's a national program kids can get into. going to a range that offers lessons will afford her (and you) an opportunity to see what type of bow she prefers to use.

 

[pocomom]

Hi, my daughter is into archery . We bought her a kid's bow, and a target for the backyard. She has gotten pretty good, and now needs a larger bow because of her size. Unfortunately she doesn't have the strength to handle bows more her size yet. You can find classes at community colleges, sporting goods stores etc. it doesn't take much knowledge, largely practice, but make sure you focus on teaching the safety rules. We found the guys at dicks sporting goods to be pretty knowledgable when it came to picking out the right bow. (And it wasn't the most expensive)
We are not hunters, I think she likes the idea of the hunger games. But I am all about finding more activities the kids enjoy that keep them busy and enjoying the outdoors!

 

[wiigirl]

Check your park district. I know ours started offering archery after kids wanted to take it after watching The Hunger Games. (Yes, I know how silly it sounds).

 

[mickeyboat]

I would recommend searching for an archery shop near you and visiting there to talk to someone. They are bound to know what types of opportunities are available for kids in your area. One shop near us offered weekly lessons for kids. They will also be able to suggest the appropriate equipment your daughter might need.

See if there are any 3D archery ranges near you. They might also offer lessons and advice about equipment. I would think that a basement range would not satisfy her need to shoot at greater distances.

Our rec association has beginning archery lessons, too.

DDs have had the opportunity to shoot at Girl Scouts - at a huge target with wooden bows. DD13 also hunts, so DH bought her a hunting bow which is much different than the Girl Scout bows, and she likes that bow much better. She has not been allowed to hunt with her bow, though, because DH is not convinced that she is a good enough shot at different distances. She needs to be able to figure out how far away something is, adjust her shot accordingly, and be consistently hitting her target at the same spot before he will let her hunt.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Thanks, all, for the ideas. I should have added that I did try looking up archery ranges both online and in the phone book, but the only one I found in our city was clear on the other side of the metro area (about 40 minutes away by car) and it seems a little far if she really gets into it. I also found a website for another one a little closer (out towards the rural areas), but it looked pretty seriously focused on hunting and they haven't returned my calls.

I didn't think of checking with the Parks Department, and that sounds like a really good idea!

 

[okeydokey]

Do you have 4H in your area? Both my kids joined a 4H club and loved it.

 

[Alsobrook]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...d=10051&langId=-1&mode=article&objectID=29922

 

[Gumbo4x4]

A beginners bow for an 8 year old will be pretty inexpensive. My DD8 uses a cheap 9.5# bow. We set the target on the ground to keep misses close by, and she only shoots at a distance of maybe 25 feet.

 

[Gina]

Check and see if there's a JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development) program anywhere nearby. It's not just for Olympic hopefuls. Their programs offer the best training and foundation, and foster a love of the sport in young people. (And grownups!)

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Archery/Programs/Get-Started-In-Archery

My son & I have been archers (recurve) since he was about 6, and we still love it so much. It's such a great sport for teaching focus.

Hope this helps!

 

[kacaju]

Do you have 4H in your area? Both my kids joined a 4H club and loved it.

This

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Thanks, all, for the helpful ideas. 4-H sounds really interesting, especially its STEM focus, although she's apparently a year away from the full program and would have to be a Clover for a bit (or at least at the 30+ groups I found today in the area) but that would be fine to help her learn the system and culture.

Thanks, as well, to those with ideas about learning archery, how to learn, what to buy, etc. My daughter is all atwitter tonight with excitement for both 4-H and taking lessons!

 

[Jafar30]

Buy a bow and arrow?

 

[M5ward]

I did this as a kid...loved it! Even though my mom wasn't into the actual "bow and arrow" thing, we all went every weekend to various archery courses (kind of like going from hole to hole in golf) and spent the day, taking lunch and snacks. We had a target in our backyard and shot everyday...fortunately, we never hit a neighbor.

 

[Fortuosity]

What things should I think about, beyond the obvious safety issues?

1. Venison.

2. Gateway weapon (ARrows today, Assault Rifles tomorrow).

3. http://news.yahoo.com/man-killed-father-wyoming-bow-arrow-attack-185326288.html

 

[kacaju]

Thanks, all, for the helpful ideas. 4-H sounds really interesting, especially its STEM focus, although she's apparently a year away from the full program and would have to be a Clover for a bit (or at least at the 30+ groups I found today in the area) but that would be fine to help her learn the system and culture.

Thanks, as well, to those with ideas about learning archery, how to learn, what to buy, etc. My daughter is all atwitter tonight with excitement for both 4-H and taking lessons!

COOL!! Let us know how it goes!! We are a huge 4-H family here. I have been a 4-Her since I was in grade school, then went right into being a leader. I am on year 23 of being a leader! My kids *bleed green* meaning they were born into 4-H. My oldest has done all 3 National trips..middle dd has done 2 and has her application out for the 3rd..ANd dd 13, just applied for the new Leadership Washington Focus trip for middle schoolers!

 

[MSSANDRA]

My almost 7 year old has been shooting since he was 5. We have bow hunters in the family and he wanted to join in. We got a decent child size (junior bow) that can shoot real arrows and we just have the shop to grind the point down a bit. We have enough people that can work for him and we purchased some adult targets to aim at. Having an open area to shoot is very important. We found great support people at outdoor world, and they have a nice place to shoot. Its a great sport that fosters lots of great skills. Just be aware that it can get expensive. Bows just go up in cost, and kids can loose a LOT of arrows!