10/13/2009
BECKLEY, W.Va. – The next instructor training for the popular Archery in the Schools Program (AIS) will be held Dec. 8 and 9 at JBC Archery Center in Shady Spring (near Beckley), according to Jerry Westfall, AIS Program Coordinator for the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR).
“It has been quite some time since we held a training session in the Beckley area,” said Westfall. “And thanks to the cooperation of the JBC Archery Center and owner Chuck Frye, we can once again provide AIS training to area physical education teachers and coaches, as well as others from around the state. We are very excited about the potential expansion of the AIS program by involving schools not yet participating. Based on the interest we have received so far, and the number of local schools, this training should be quite successful.”
The AIS Program is the DNR’s largest and fastest growing educational program. Since its inception in 2004, more than 35,000 students have been introduced to archery as part of their physical education (PE) classes in 199 West Virginia schools. The program teaches Olympic-style target archery in both public and private school’s grade four-12 PE classes. “But 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 Westfall. “The DNR has about four trainings a year; and, because class size is limited to 25, training slots are highly sought after. To ensure a training slot, we encourage PE teachers and coaches to apply as soon as possible.” The deadline to sign up for the training is Nov. 25. As an added incentive, teachers taking this training may be eligible to receive Continuing Education Hours (CEHs).
This training will cost $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 during the first morning of the training.
To register for the AIS training at JBC Archery in Shady Spring, please call Billie Shearer at 304-558-2771; e-mail billieshearer@wvdnr.gov. For general information on the AIS Program, you can visit the DNR’s AIS Web site at www.wvdnr.gov/archery or call DNR’s AIS Program Coordinator Jerry Westfall at 304-558-2771; e-mail jerrywestfall@wvdnr.gov.
Contact Information
Jerry Westfall
304-558-2771
jerrywestfall@wvdnr.gov