Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : February 22, 2006

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

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

West Virginia 's Archery in the Schools Program Training Scheduled

March 28th and 29th in Pocahontas County

  The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting its next training for the West Virginia Archery in the Schools Program at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School in Pocahontas County on March 28 th and 29 th , according to Scott Warner , Program Coordinator.

  DNR implemented this program two years ago in 19 schools around West Virginia to introduce physical education students to a program that has attracted interest from thousands of schools in 26 states across the country. Over the past year there has been a tremendous amount of interest from schools around West Virginia , allowing the program to quadruple in size. Currently, 112 physical fitness instructors from 78 schools around the state have successfully completed the Level I Certification as required to participate in the program.

    “From the beginning, schools from Pocahontas County have been very interested in participating in this program,” said Warner. “However, because of scheduling commitments with other trainings it wasn't until recently that we were able to host a training session in their county. At this time, it looks like the majority of the schools in Pocahontas County will be attending, and DNR would also like to welcome other schools from surrounding counties to attend.”

     Due to the type of training and amount of time needed for hands-on-instructions, classroom size will be limited, so physical education instructors interested in attending have until March 15th to sign up .

    “DNR thanks the schools in Pocahontas County for their interest in participating in this program,” said Warner. “We especially thank Ruth Bland, Principal at Green Bank Elementary/ Middle School, for the continued interest in getting this program started in Pocahontas County and allowing us to host this training at her school.”

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

**DNR**