Updated/Edited: This Blog, originally posted in the Fall of 2019, “A Segment on the AKA Archery & Outdoors Division”, was in reference to the nature of the AKASPORT Archery program in terms of teaching competitive archery with references to hunting and ecological effects of controlling the deer population. Now, 2 and a 1/2 years since this the original post, AKASPORT Archery Summer Camps and After School Programs have grown exceptionally in popularity by the number of schools, classes and students that we work with in this unique and highly engaging sport. We, the kids and staff, remain incredibly grateful for time and teachings of our AKA Outdoors and Archery lead instructor and mentor, Mr. W, John Wachlarowicz.

COVID Summer Archery 2020 with Coach Chrsi.jpg

Yesterday, we completed our 16th and final AKA After School Archery program for the 2021-2022 school year. 261 young archers fortunate to learn a sport that I never knew existed when I was their age.

A Segment on the AKA Archery & Outdoors Division
I could not pinpoint where or when exactly this AKA Archery vision came into play. I had never been an avid outdoorsman, nor considered such an enriching activity into the All Sports catalog upon founding AKASPORT.

Archery is a sport for the ages, for our youth, as young as 5 at AKA, up to our seniors. Even my mentor and our fearless AKA Outdoors ambassador/instructor, Jack Wachlarowicz, admits he didn’t take up Archery until his 40s. We’re now hooked. And the passion behind teaching, practicing, competing and hunting with such a unique sport has carried us to today. A day in which I thoroughly believe that we at AKASPORT, are a leader in providing youth Archery in the schools, now, and for many years to come.

*The sharpest shooters in AKA history, Asher and Evan, 2020*

With the licensure, curriculum and support of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), we are able to provide the “2nd safest sport” in America (you can have yours, Table Tennis) to hundreds of kids eager to learn the unique sport and craft, on their way to more competitive archery events and tournaments or to prepare them for an admirable hunting future.

AKA Archery and the Art of Youth Sport Maintenance
As the Founder of AKASPORT, and now certified Archery instructor, I couldn’t be more happy to teach and to witness the power of such a sport. I tell this to a lot of people. I’m a traditional sports guy, participant and coach. The thrill that I get to see kids who are not your traditional sports (i.e. football, basketball, hockey, etc.) participants, who find unique sports like Archery to try, and then to practice, and then to excel with the understanding that they could really take this sport to another level — what a confidence booster this is for all of us.

Archery is for EVERYONE! We get kids who are top athletes and kids who, frankly, couldn’t dribble a basketball or soccer ball to save their life. Archery is a sport they can pick up and excel with a level of patience, concentration, and execution that ultimately puts their minds at ease. No stresses of “gotta be the best” or having to please mom/dad/peers by making the team or hitting the winning shot. This is for kids and adults to raise your level of standard and to improve on self. Goal setting… practice… precision… true sport!

Take it from AKA Coach and After School Director, now certified Archery instructor, Drew Metz: Why Archery:

Why do kids love archery so much? It has been a common question that has risen in our youth development. Parents and even us at AKA, have asked this. The simple answer, Archery is a mix between competitive and peaceful sport. Some might think all archery is shooting at live game, but it is so much more. From shooting at targets to shooting at ping pong balls, there are so many different items you can place in front of a target and it is truly fun to shoot. The youth love to shoot all kinds of items, but I think they like archery so much because it is an individual sport. There is no other sport like archery. Kids gravitate to it. It has been the biggest program we have done at AKA and that is all thanks to the best Archery Instructor ever. Luckily, he is AKA's main instructor, Jack. Jack has led many High school teams to winning and participating in the State Tournament and then on to multiple National tournaments. Kids gravitate to his form of teaching with all of his interesting stories and the overall fun-filled teaching of the sport. He has made so many youth love the sport just because of how easy it was for them to learn. Us at AKASPORT, are truly fortunate to have an Instructor of this caliber and an Instructor that cares so much for the love of Archery.

*Coach Drew at Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, 2022*

The Elephant in the Room - Competitive Archery and Archery Hunting Sport
”What's the #1 enemy of the Forests?? Deer!"

Alright, this one is certainly up for debate as we all know that Man wipes out unfathomable areas of forested land. However if you were to do your research through the DNR and the National Wildlife Federation, you would find that in fact, due to the growing population of White Tail Deer in North America eating all the pine and seedlings, our forests are being decimated and unable to regenerate into the thick carbon pulling landscapes that this Earth so needs.

*Jack teaching class at Rapids Archery, Coon Rapids, 2018*

Jack, Drew and I agree — we want to grow Archery in the schools program and camps because this sport offers so much for kids in terms of goal setting, precision practice, competition, etc. And while I want to protect animals as much as the next compassionate soul, I need to echo the sentiments of Jack and all the other environmentalists out there and we need to make a stronger effort to control the Deer population.

Simply put, if we lose our Hunters and don’t encourage the next generation to hunt, the Deer population will double and triple and then, not only will we loose our forests but we will also be subject to Chronic Waste Disease and various health threats of pandemic proportion to all of us.

Therefore, as we preach the significance of Archery as a competitive sport for kids to learn, to practice and aspire in such an amazing enrichment activity, we also need to foster a new generation of young Hunters.

*****

If you or any organization you know would like to play a bigger part in this discussion, please contact me (chris@akasport.org). We are looking for more instructors/teachers and more leaders in AKA Archery and the AKA Outdoors division.

Thanks to Jack, Drew, Jeff and all of your readers out there.

All the Best, CS

AKA Archery and the Art of Youth Sport Maintenance

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