Tammy Unruh 3-25-8 Archery Day Deep Fork NWR

Tammy Unruh 3-25-8 Archery Day Deep Fork NWR

The refuge held its Third Annual Okmulgee County Archery Day on March 25.  Approximately 120 forth and fifth graders from local schools enjoyed a day filled with the sport of archery.  The event revolves around the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) that is spreading like wildfire across the nation.  To date, 2.3 million kids in 3800 schools have participated in this program nationwide.  The NASP program was developed as a olympic style archery program that schools integrate into physical eduation programs.  The program has shown many advantages for schools and students including increased attendance, greater participation for kids "at risk" and kids with disabilities, greater participation by kids that cannot compete in other sports, and even an increase in grade point averages.  The bottom line is that this program engages kids and builds self-esteem.  The refuge began the Archery Day in an effort to help promote the NASP progam, and more importantly, to demonstrate that archery can help link kids to the outdoors.  The event focused on three main stations that students rotated through:  1) a NASP bulls-eye target shoot,  2) a 3-D target shoot, and 3) a bowfishing practice tank.  The goal is for each kid to be shooting a bow at each station.  A free noon meal was provided by Taco Bell and IF Ranch.  Also during the lunch hour, kids had the opportunity to explore the Cussetah Bottoms Boardwalk.  The event finale consisted of a NASP shootoff with the highest three boy and girl shooters awarded medals.  The highest scoring school was awarded a trophy.  This event was a cooperative effort between the Refuge, The Friends of Deep Fork NWR, Regional Office Refuge staff, Tulsa ES, Wichita Mts. NWR, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Oklahoma Fishstickers, The Okmulgee County Bowhunting Association, Okmulgee Fire and Rescue,  Okmulgee County EMS, several local businesses, and 75 volunteers.  About 200 people attended the event including parents, members of the Creek Nation,  school administrators, the local media, and a member of Senator Inhofe's office.