5/11/2011
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section (DNR) will hold its next training for the Archery in the Schools (AIS) Program August 2 and 3 at Pipestem Resort State Park, according to Scott Warner, DNR’s AIS Program Coordinator.
“We are very excited to be holding our next training at Pipestem Resort State Park,” said Warner. “When possible, we like to provide trainings at our state parks and Pipestem is a perfect venue for PE teachers, coaches, and others wanting to get their school involved in the AIS Program. This training is especially important because it will be the only one offered before schools open this fall, which will allow some ambitious schools just starting the program enough time to possibly participate in our state tournament next spring.”
The AIS Program has become the DNR’s largest growing educational program. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 60,000 students have been introduced to archery as part of their physical education (PE) classes in 238 West Virginia schools. The program teaches Olympic-style, target archery in both public and private schools Grades 4 through 12.
“In order for schools to have the AIS Program, they must first have a certified instructor – preferably a PE instructor or coach who will introduce as many kids as possible to the joys of target archery,” said Warner. “The DNR only has about four trainings a year and, because class size is limited to 25, training slots are highly sought after. As an added incentive, teachers taking this training may be eligible to receive Continuing Education Hours (CEH’s) – provided they submit their paperwork to their principal before the end of the school year.”
To ensure a training slot, anyone interested in getting their school involved in the program is encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the
July 15th deadline. This training costs $25 for all school employees and $50 for non-school employees. This fee will be paid to WVDNR – Archery in the Schools Program (via check, money order, or exact currency only) during the first morning of the training.
To register for the AIS training at Pipestem Resort State Park, please call Scott Warner at 304- 558-2771; email
Scott.A.Warner@wv.gov for information on the AIS Program, or visit the DNR’s AIS website at
www.wvdnr.gov/archery. For more information on Pipestem Resort State Park, go to
www.pipestemresort.com.
Contact Information
Scott Warner, Wildlife Resources Section
304-558-2771
Scott.A.Warner@wv.gov