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It's all about the Kids!
Something wonderful is happening to thousands of kids across the country and it's the National Archery in the Schools Program aka NASP! The NASP tagline is "Changing lives one arrow at a time". Forty six states are involved, seven hundred schools and three countries and growing. What is NASP? It's a school archery program that is not just about archery, it's about responsibility, pride, confidence, growth and most of all it's about fun!
Alpen Optics has been cheering these kids on for the past year but on March 18, 2008 we were privileged to be able to attend the Kentucky NASP Championship event where 1,800 students, parents, coaches, principals, grandparents and volunteers gathered at the Louisville Fairgrounds to compete for the chance to go to Nationals.
We were inspired and impressed with the whole event….kids cheering like they were at a rock concert…..silence like a golf tournament on TV when they were waiting to shoot….the laughter when they missed and the look of pride and sometimes surprise when they shot well….cheering each other….such an awesome event!
There were kids that might not be able to play baseball or soccer because of an illness but they could shoot archery….kids whose parents work two jobs full time to make ends meet but the school had the National Archery in the Schools program where they could go after school an learn a skill-hobby that will last a lifetime. Kids from different circumstances who love the game of archery.
We had the opportunity to be with two great kids who are blind and they have the same bow and arrows as kids blessed with sight, however with this special contraption they can line themselves up with the target. This young girl was shooting and missed the bull's eye and said to me, "Missed that one." And I asked, "How do you know"? "Oh, I know the sound of the bull's eye "thump"! She is amazing. NASP is truly changing lives one arrow at a time.
How to get your school involved? It's so simple ….go to www.archeryintheschools.org and check it out…..have any questions? Call us at our toll free NASP HOT line: 877-987-8370 and we'll guide you in the right direction.
Blessings,
Vickie and the Alpen Optics Crew
P.S.
Nationals will be held in May in the state that founded NASP and that is Kentucky!
Alpen Optics is providing a discount to all folks involved in NASP.
If your school is participating in NASP please fill out this form and your NASP Discount Certificate will be sent to you.
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