Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : June 1, 2006

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Scott Warner , Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Cabela's to Sponsor Next Training for

West Virginia 's Archery in the Schools Program

July 18th and 19th  

  The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section (DNR) will be hosting its next training for the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program at the Cabela's store in Wheeling on July 18th and 19th , according to Scott Warner, Program Coordinator.

    “From the beginning, Cabela's has always expressed an interest in assisting the DNR with getting more schools, especially the ones in the northern panhandle, involved in this program,” Warner said. “The support we have received from Cabela's has been tremendous and I can't think of a better place for us to host a training. I would also like to thank local school officials for their interest in allowing us to bring this program to the northern panhandle.”

  DNR implemented this program in the fall of 2004 in 19 schools around West Virginia as part of its pilot program to introduce physical education students to an activity that teaches a life skill. In less than two years there has been a phenomenal amount of interest with the program more than quadrupling in size with 91 schools now participating in the program. In fact, because of the success of this program the DNR was able to host its first State Archery tournament recently at Capital High School, where nearly 300 students from 23 schools from every region of the state were in attendance.

  “Cabela's is looking forward to hosting this training and being a part of a program that has attracted a great deal of attention nationally,” said Dale Wildman, Dept. Manager for Cabela's. “It's nice to know that our West Virginia store is the first in the nation to host this training, and a lot of credit needs to be given to local officials and the DNR. But it's about the kids, and I am excited about getting youth involved in an activity that I have enjoyed throughout my lifetime.”

  Schools interested in attending the Cabela's training have until July 1st to sign up. However, due to the type of training and amount of time needed for hands-on-instructions, classroom size will be limited. Teachers interested in attending this training are encouraged to contact the DNR early, because class space at the last training hosted at Cabela's (January of 2006) was full within three weeks of the announcement.

  For additional information on the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program or to attend training, visit DNR's Web site at www.wvdnr.gov or call (304) 558-2771.

**DNR**