With adult supervision, archery is a fun outdoor activity for youth groups.
If you've never had to purchase archery equipment for a youth group before, the task can seem overwhelming. Most important, you want to make sure that what you're buying is safe and appropriate for children. Although the type of equipment you purchase makes a difference, teaching children to be safe shooters is the most important way to create a safe archery range.
Bows
Bows come in different styles and sizes, so make sure you purchase ones that are appropriate for beginning target practice. Bows also come in different draws (the weight necessary to pull back the string), and are either for right handed or left handed shooters. For children between ages 9 and 15, the Girl Scouts recommend lightweight re-curved bows or longbows with a 14-pound draw. You'll want to have a majority of right-handed bows, and a few left-handed bows to accommodate everyone. Do your best to provide each child with an appropriately sized bow. If they can shoot more easily, they will shoot more safely.
Arrows
Arrows should be the appropriate size for the bows you purchase. The Merlin Archery Center's website has an excellent chart for determining appropriate arrow lengths that correspond to the length of a bow. You should also purchase arrows that have a bullet target point. This type of point is sharp enough to go into a target, but not sharp to the touch. Arrows with synthetic fletching (the "feathers" at the end) will better sustain damage. To store each child's arrows during shooting, provide them with quivers. These will keep arrows off the ground and in good condition when they're not using them.
Targets and Range Equipment
Before setting up targets, mark the boundaries of your range using a rope on the ground. Instruct children not to go past the line while people are actively shooting. You can use hay bales as targets, or purchase practice targets to make your range look a little more polished. Both are safe for beginning archers to use. You can also purchase a net that can be set up behind your targets. This will prevent stray arrows from getting lost. When children are not actively shooting, make sure all your archery supplies are locked up in a safe place.
Arm Guards
Consider purchasing arm guards for your archery set. Archers wear arm guards on the inside of the forearm holding the bow. This protects the arm in case it gets hit by an arrow or the bow string.
Archery Safety Procedures
Even with the safest possible equipment, archery is still a dangerous activity without proper preparation. Before letting kids shoot, inspect all the equipment, establish firm safety rules, and have them demonstrate correct shooting procedures to you. Use the safety guidelines set up by your organization, or follow guidelines set up by a professional organization like the National Field Archery Association. As with all youth group activities, always use your best judgment. If you observe any reckless activity or unsafe conditions, instruct the children to stop shooting immediately.
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