We honestly didn't know if two or two hundred people would show up. After all, Prospect Road is closed and the entrance to the archery range is under construction. You really have to make an effort to get there. And you never know how effective advertising will be until after the fact. But now we know the answer: About two hundred people showed up for the 1st Annual Archery Day, a lot of parents with children in tow and vice versa; I'd say more children than adults all told. We were swamped and at times we had people waiting for an instructor.
Each new student began with orientation, safety, archery fundamentals and an eye dominance test (whether you shoot right-handed or left-handed is more a function of eye dominance than whether you are actually right-handed or left-handed). Next, suitable equipment was selected and shooting began on the ten yard range. Once the students were comfortable with the basics, they could either continue shooting -- in hopes of popping one of the balloons -- or move to the 3D target range to shoot at life-size foam replicas of game animals. Students also had the option of walking and shooting the field range.
Two special awards for exceptional service to the Association were presented at noon. Troy Tafoya (pictured below, left) was honored for his long, long term as President and many contributions to the Association and archery. Toby Trujillo (pictured below, right) was similarly honored for his many contributions to youth archery through scouting, community recreation programs and the Association.
Debbie Draper at the 1st Annual FCAA Archery Day