Hays/Lodge Pole Archery Program off to a Great Start with 50+ Students Taking Part
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Students at Hays/Lodge Pole High School have really taken to the new Archery program being offered at the school this year. Science teacher Rod Benson converted the Metal Shop, that wasn't being used, into an indoor range.
Students at Hays/Lodge Pole High School have had an opportunity afforded to them this school year that many students in the state of Montana don't get. Hays/Lodge Pole Science Teacher Rod Benson followed up on an idea and created an Archery program available to all students.
"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to offer music, art, home economics, or industrial arts classes," said Benson. "Last spring someone suggested it might be cool to offer archery, so I did some checking around to see what it would take to get a program up and running."
Benson's work paid off almost immediately, "Turns out there is a very well-established National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) available through the Fish Wildlife and Parks."
Benson soon completed the eight hour training course in Helena offered by Montana FWP and was granted permission to place orders for necessary equipment.
The next step, finding a place that could be used for the program. "Since our metal shop isn't being used, I was able to clear enough space there to set up a range. We follow the strict NASP guidelines for safety, have to use certain kinds of bows and arrows, are required to have an arrow curtain, and our range has to be set up according to their specifications. We use whistle commands: Two blasts means 'get bows', one means 'shoot', and three means 'retrieve arrows'," stated Benson.
Safety is of the utmost importance and Benson notes, "According to NASP, archery is safer than any other sport offered in schools, except ping-pong."
To make time for students to all be able to participate Benson got creative, "Since very few electives are offered, core classes at Hays/LP meet for over 315 minutes per week. When I taught in Helena, my science classes each met for 250 minutes per week. So, every Monday I take each of my science classes down to the metal shop for about 45 minutes and let them shoot arrows."
As a result nearly two thirds of the enrolled student body participates, "So about 50 students shoot once per week, including 10-15 who take advantage of optional practice times, which are offered before school a couple days a week, and after school once per week," said Benson.
The students seem to have really grabbed onto the archery idea, "Most of my students really seem to enjoy it, and some have REALLY gotten into it. It has been very satisfying to see how they appreciate the opportunity to shoot. Some of our most talented archers are students who don't play ball sports, but some of the ball-players are really good too," added
Benson.
The kids spend a lot of time practicing and Benson has plans to expand their opportunities, "Several of our students are interested in competing against other schools, so I am looking into the possibility of taking a team to a tournament in Billings in February and another tournament in Bozeman in April. Once we get the tournament situation figured out, students who want to go to participate will be required to attend one or two after-school practices per week."
Students at Hays/Lodge Pole High School have really taken to the new Archery program being offered at the school this year. Science teacher Rod Benson converted the Metal Shop, that wasn't being used, into an indoor range.
For those who may not be able to participate in those tournaments Benson has a great idea, "We will have an intramural tournament in late January or early February to find out who will be crowned the 2022 archery champions (boys and girls) at Hays/LP. Then later this spring we hope to do some shooting outside, giving students a chance to shoot at more distant targets. A local hunter has offered to come in and help introduce students to the art of bow-hunting as well."
In growing the archery program plans include bringing in experts to show students how to make arrowheads, bows, and arrows as well as providing students a chance to experiment with Atlatls this spring as well.
Benson will be leaving the school at the end of the year but wanted to ensure the first year program continued, "At least two other Hays/LP teachers, Adam Doney, Mark Machet, and another staff member Carl Doney will be taking the training on January 17, so, I am confident that the program will continue after I leave."
"The program hopes to expand to include junior high students later this winter or in the spring.," Benson concluded.
