9.8.10 | Explore Bowhunting Aims to Get Oklahoma Kids Back Outside

The ATA offered Oklahoma's first Explore Bowhunting workshop on this summer at the Sycamore Springs Ranch in Locust Grove. Ten schoolteachers and four stage agency employees participated.

“Each one of those participants will now play an important role in helping more young people become involved in the outdoors by instructing them in the sport of archery,” said Emily Beach, manager of education and research for the ATA.

Explore Bowhunting workshops familiarize adult educators with a bowhunting curriculum they can use to teach youngsters between the ages of 11 and 17. Instructors are also given access to Explore Bowhunting teaching trunks that contain all the necessary equipment and materials to effectively teach bowhunting.

“Nature-based outdoor recreation provides emotional and physical benefits for participants but too often young people are never exposed to it,” Beach said. “Traditionally, parents and other adults were much more involved in introducing young people to the outdoors but in today's hectic world many adults are over-burdened by other commitments. Explore Bowhunting instructors help fill that void.”

During the workshop, participants can choose from 22 hands-on teaching activities. Activities range from profiles of the equipment and gear one needs to bowhunt to shot placement, anatomy and field dressing, how to blend quietly into natural surroundings, or animal behavior.

Research has shown that if a young person is not introduced to an outdoor activity such as hunting or fishing at a relatively young age, they likely will never become involved. And if they do not become involved, future generations will not have the experiences that inherently promote the stewardship of wildlife, habitat and conservation.

Young people, Beach said, learn best through experiences shared with those they respect and trust. And the outdoors, she adds, is one of the best places to gain those experiences. “Explore Bowhunting instructors can be the trusted adults who open the door to a whole new world of excitement and wonder for young people,” Beach said.

Research has shown that if a young person is not introduced to an outdoor activity such as hunting or fishing at a relatively young age, they likely never will become involved. And if they do not participate, future generations are even less likely to become engaged.

To learn more about Explore Bowhunting, click here.