Blaine County District fourth-grade archery program grows from 34 to 80 students

A staff member said the Blaine County District’s fourth-grade archery program began in 2019 and has grown from 34 students to 80, with children learning safety procedures, bow-making and target shooting.

The program, which the staff member said first had students fire arrows in 2021, combines physical education with classroom lessons: “We’re integrating other subjects into this program. So it’s not just a matter of archery. We’re learning about math with scoring. We’re learning about slope, science. I’m hoping to bring in even more history,” the staff member said.

The staff member described step-by-step safety training: fourth graders first learn whistle signals and other safety elements, then make a string bow to take home for practice before shooting arrows at school. “The whistles are all key important parts to safety,” the staff member said.

A student who spoke during the same discussion said the program provided a new experience: “I actually have never shot a bow before I did archery and I’ve never thought that I would actually shoot a bow in my life. So I’m pretty fortunate to have that,” the student said.

Program supporters were described as sponsors by the staff member, who said the effort required administrative steps to establish: “I can’t say enough excitement that I have for it. It took me some hoops to go through, but I think it’s well worth it. For me, it seems like something that could last a lifetime.”

Officials did not provide a timetable for program expansion beyond the current grade level or a detailed funding breakdown during the remarks. The staff member said they hoped to add more enrichment elements in future school years.