Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release
For release: February 7, 2005, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

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

DNR invites Physical Education Instructors to Participate in West Virginia 's Archery in the Schools Program

  Physical Education instructors in West Virginia are invited to participate in an exciting educational project called “ West Virginia 's Archery in the Schools Program,” according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

  “Through this program physical education students will be given an opportunity to become involved in a life skill that has no barriers,” Jezioro said. “Archery, unlike many sporting activities, is something in which boys and girls of all sizes can easily become involved, whether inside a classroom or outside with their familes.”

  West Virginia 's Archery in the Schools Program is designed as a two-week curriculum modeled after a similar program in Kentucky that has experienced phenomenal success, receiving national attention among physical education instructors. Kentucky implemented their archery program in 2002 with only 21 schools. Within two years, more than 300 schools are participating, reaching nearly 125,000 students. The program also hosted two statewide archery tournaments with more than 1,500 participants.

  So where is West Virginia ? Currently, 34 physical education instructors from 19 schools around West Virginia have received the required Level I certification as part of the DNR's pilot program and have successfully implemented this program in their classrooms in the fall of 2004. Since then, numerous schools have expressed an interest in participating in this program and will be sending their physical education instructors to training courses scheduled for the spring of 2005.

  “Because of the success of the pilot program and the interest we have received from other schools, DNR is looking forward to hosting West Virginia 's first Archery in the Schools tournament in September of 2005,“ Jezioro said.

  For additional information on this program and the tournament, or to attend one of the scheduled upcoming training courses, visit the DNR's Website at www.wvdnr.gov or contact Scott Warner at (304) 558-2771 or scottwarner@wvdnr.gov .

**DNR**