Photo By Guy Hayes | Lauren Thatch, a recent graduate from the Alaska Military Youth Academy, shoots in the...... read more read more
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CAMP DENALI, Alaska - Research shows that children who are encouraged to pursue their interests in positive activities are more likely to stay out of trouble. Instead of spending time alone, or unsupervised with friends, they are learning and focused on an activity that builds self confidence in a safe environment.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a perfect example of a positive activity for Alaska’s youth and an activity that has benefited the cadets at the Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA).
The NASP, which provides international style target archery training in more than 7,300 schools nationwide, including seven pilot programs for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, “promotes student education, physical education and participation in the lifelong sport of archery,” according to its website.
As one of the pilot programs, the instructors at AMYA also see the benefits of NASP in assisting them achieve their mission “to motivate young men and women to become successful citizens, with the values, skills, education and self-discipline to succeed as adults.”
“The National Archery in Schools Program allows cadets to participate in something bigger than them,” said Nathan McCarthy, AMYA team leader and certified NASP instructor. “It provides another outlet or opportunity that can lead to a lifelong interest, which requires self-discipline.”
NASP, which according to AMYA Team Leader Dave Litteral, is also the second safest program in schools, has 10 certified instructors at the Alaska Military Youth Academy, and it hopes to have more members of its staff trained soon.
“We plan to train 15 additional AMYA staff members in April, so that we can continue to promote NASP and provide the opportunity to all of our cadets,” Litteral added. “It promotes individual achievement, team building and commitment – evident today in the 15 cadets here on their own time participating in the state tournament.”
The 15 AMYA cadets Litteral is referring to graduated the program on Feb. 25 but still showed up on their own time to shoot in the state tournament and compete against other schools March 2.
“We’ve been practicing for about 10 weeks, unlike high schools that do it all year, but these guys have the discipline to do well,” said J.D. Edge, AMYA team leader and certified NASP instructor. “This is our first year, and we’re already seeing terrific results in their ability to shoot and dedication to learn archery. The cadets really seem to enjoy it.”
Cadets participating in the state tournament had five arrows and were required to shoot three scoring rounds each at 10 meters and 15 meters. The scores were tallied by certified instructors and sent to the state tournament board to compete against other Alaska programs. Tournament results will be released by the end of March.
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2011 18:28 |
| Story ID: | 67192 |
| Location: | ANCHORAGE, AK, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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