12/23/2010
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – As a result of the growing success of the Archery in the Schools Program (AIS), the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting its Sixth Annual West Virginia State Tournament at the Veterans Memorial Field House located in Huntington. The DNR anticipates more than 600 students from across the state will be participating making this the largest indoor youth archery tournament ever held in the state of West Virginia.
The AIS Program is the DNR’s largest and fastest growing educational program, reaching more than 50,000 students through the participation of nearly 250 schools. Since the DNR implemented the program in 2004, over 1,500 students have participated in five state tournaments with several hundred qualifying and competing at National Tournaments located in Louisville, KY, according to Scott Warner, DNR Wildlife Resources Section, AIS Program Coordinator.
“With the interest in our state tournament, we’re encouraging all participating schools to start working with their students now to get their registration material in before the February 25 deadline,” said Warner. “We are encouraging all parents, Principals and teachers to actively support their AIS Program and consider coming to this year’s tournament. Even if a school can not send a full team of 12 students, schools can still be represented by sending students to participate in the Individual Division.”
Schools that have trained AIS instructors but have not yet purchased archery equipment still have the opportunity to participate in the tournament. “Certified instructors may volunteer to help with scoring and arrow-pulling at the tournament,” said Warner. “In fact, it provides instructors first-hand knowledge of what goes on at a tournament, which would be of great benefit to their school. However, volunteers will need to contact us well in advance.”
For more information on the AIS State Tournament and how to get your school involved, visit the DNR’s website at
www.wvdnr.gov/archery or contact Scott Warner at 304-558-2771.
Contact Information
Scott Warner, Wildlife Resources Section
304-558-2771
dnr.wildlife@wv.gov