OFAH now official Ontario provider of National Archery in the Schools Program

OFAH FILE: 842
May 1, 2014

OFAH now official Ontario provider of National Archery in the Schools Program

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is proud to announce it is officially the province-wide provider of the highly acclaimed National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) now sweeping across North America.

The OFAH will lead Ontario’s first NASP program, starting with a NASP teacher certification program this summer and at least 10 pilot schools in the fall of 2014.

“We believe this exciting curriculum-linked, in-school archery program has the potential to spread across the province, enabling thousands of Ontario youth to benefit from the knowledge, skills and character building archery presents,” said Angelo Lombardo, OFAH executive director. “Through this program, the OFAH will be embarking on its largest youth-education program in its 86-year history.”

What began as a pilot program in Kentucky in 2001 has become an international success story now boasting nearly 12.5 million youth participating each year in 12,000 NASP schools in 10 different countries.

Archery is an accessible sport that allows youth of all ages and athletic ability to participate, explained Tim Watts, OFAH NASP program coordinator, archery instructor and seven-time Canadian archery champion. “Archery requires an understanding of kinetics and mathematics and complements many other subjects already taught in schools. It’s a sport that builds self confidence and focus,” Watts said.

The OFAH has received an overwhelming response from educators and parents looking to get onboard the Ontario NASP program. The long-term goal is to have the program presented in classrooms province wide.

Through its many youth-orientated programs such as the Classroom Hatchery Program, the Invasive Species Awareness Program and the Community Stream Steward Program that incorporates school field trips, the OFAH has earned the trust of teachers from across Ontario.

With more than 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 720 member clubs, the OFAH is the province’s largest nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization and the VOICE of anglers and hunters.

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