Training for Archery in the Schools Program to be Held At Cheat Lake
July 8 and 9

            The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section will be hosting its next training for the Archery in the Schools Program on July 8 - 9, 2008, at the Sportsman’s Refuge at Cheat Lake near Morgantown, according to Jerry Westfall, Program Coordinator.

            “Since its inception in 2004, more than 30,000 students have been introduced to archery as part of their physical education classes in 140 schools, making it one of DNR’s largest and fastest growing educational programs,” said Westfall. “Several schools from the Morgantown area have already been actively participating in the program for some time. However, with this training, DNR hopes to reach the remaining schools located in Monongalia and surrounding counties.”

            “I’d like to encourage schools, especially the ones located in north-central West Virginia, to take advantage of this training and get involved in this program,” said Don Chapman, State Physical Education Coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education. “It’s our mission as educators to introduce our students to activities going beyond the classroom. The Archery in the Schools Program has become the perfect model for this. In fact, I have personally experienced our students’ enthusiasm and have seen firsthand this program’s success with hundreds in attendance at state archery tournaments.”

            Teachers interested in attending this free training have until June 15 to sign up. However, because of the hands-on training, classroom size is limited to only 25 teachers and slots are only available on a first-come first-serve basis. Teachers interested in receiving the required two-day training are encouraged to sign up early. In addition to the training being free, teachers attending the two-day class may also be eligible to receive a Continuing Education Credit.

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