Hitting The Target
Partnering with the National Archery in Schools Program creates an opportunity to send kids to camp
By Jim Sexstone
Photos: YMCA Camp Carson
Thwacccccck. The sound of an arrow hitting the target in archery is a familiar and reassuring sound to many at camp. It is truly one of the sounds of summer. Once a specialized activity, archery has grown onto a much larger stage through a program organized by the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP), which is geared toward students in grades 4 through 12. Taught as part of a physical-education curriculum, archery has captivated students and left educators awestruck by its uncanny ability to “connect” students with their school—something previously recognized as a major factor in dropout prevention (NASP website).
In April, North Gibson Archery, along with the Prince Lodge Masons, Knights of Columbus Princeton Indiana, Boy Scouts, Princeton Band, and YMCA Camp Carson, gathered to host the North Gibson Archery Bullseye Shoot in Indiana to send kids to camp. How did these community leaders come together? It all began with a tour of the camp, which led to community-leader introductions, more tours of the camp, and a realization that kids and the community should utilize YMCA Camp Carson more. The fun part of the process was determining which event would have the most impact. It did not take long for a NASP Bullseye Tournament to rise to the top of the list. With less than three percent of campers coming from the local community, it was time for a change. The North Gibson Archery Bullseye Tournament was just what YMCA Camp Carson and the community needed.
How It All Came Together
Community leaders wanted to reintroduce YMCA Camp Carson to the community and provide scholarships for local kids. What made the camp shoot unique was that it was held outdoors and after the state meet. This was done intentionally, as we did not want qualifying for the state shoot to hamper registrations, plus there were so many shoots already scheduled leading up to the state meet.
The initial plan was for approximately 320 archers to compete in one day. For many organizers in the room during planning sessions, the number seemed aspirational. But news of the competition traveled quickly through the NASP community, courtesy of North Gibson Archery. In the end, 412 archers from 28 schools throughout Indiana registered for the event, with 1,200 people in attendance over two days. With the additional number of archers, it was necessary to add another day, which turned into a senior night as a way to celebrate the county’s archers. YMCA Camp Carson served hamburgers and hot dogs to round out the activities that Friday night.
In the week leading up to the event, volunteers worked with camp staff to set up archery nets, targets, straw bales, and bleachers. The group walked through parking plans (again), and double-checked all of the details.
Additional activities were planned to make the event even larger when attendees were not watching the archery competition. There was a booth with brochures, a climbing wall, trail maps, a mini-camp open house, wood carvers, and vendors. Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources brought a remote-control four-wheeler, which was fun and educational. A photographer took photos of archers and spectators over both days. Highlights were shared on the camp’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and all 850 photos were uploaded to a SmugMug file to be shared with community groups.
The Princeton Community High School Band ran Saturday concessions, which helped the camp in regard to planning, inventory costs. time, and staffing. Proceeds from the concessions remained with the band.
The local Boy Scouts assisted with directing traffic in the parking lot on Saturday, as traffic was non-stop throughout the day between competition waves. Parking was a concern in the early planning stages, with the camp having approximately 50 actual parking spots and acres of grass parking, but it turned out not to be a proglem. Fortunately, scheduling different competition waves allowed people to leave and open spaces for the next wave. The day ended successfully and with no fender-benders.
The Key Take-Aways
Make sure that marketing messages are clear, and highlight the community partnership. We are so thankful for the Prince Lodge Masons, Knights of Columbus Princeton Indiana, and North Gibson Archery parents, and for Mary and Brian Williams and Earl Griswold, whose leadership in this event made it truly special.
It cannot be stressed enough to make connections with local NASP Archery teams because the people who run these programs are amazing, motivated, and extremely organized.
Bringing everyone out to the camp for planning and tours only made word-of-mouth spread for the event.
Camp grills coming out of storage always need love and attention. Both of the camp’s grills had technical issues, forcing us to take the food inside and surface-grill the burgers and boil the hot dogs.
Planning can’t begin soon enough for the next year’s event. There are discussions about the possibility of renting cabins to teams and expanding offerings to make the event even larger and more family-friendly.
Learn from others. Feel free to contact us (812-385-3597) with any questions as you start to explore your own community event.
“In the long run, you only hit what you aim at,” American writer Henry David Thoreau once said.
As the local partners rallied together, we aimed at community involvement, camper scholarships, and the creation of an event that would have an impact on young people.
BULLSEYE.
Jim Sexstone is the Executive Director for YMCA Camp Carson in Princeton, Ind. Reach him at (513) 383-0204, or sexstone@ymcacampcarson.org.