Grasshopper and Sensei loves The Hunger Games. When she went to sleepaway camp this summer, one of her favorite activities was archery. When she hit 5 bullseyes, she reached Level Katniss and then she stopped keeping track but she did ask me to find her an archery range when she returned home.
At Mother/Daughter Weekend at her camp, I was forced to sail a Sunfish (actually, it was me screaming on the bow of the boat as we nearly hit other boats, kayaks, and submerged tree trunks), run for my life in a competitive game of Freeze Tag, make a bead necklace, sleep in a tent, and shoot 5 arrows at the archery range.
My first three attempts at archery completely missed the target. But attempt number 4 was the ellusive bullseye. I can see how easy it is to get hooked!
I found a place for her in Norwood, MA that just opened called Bay State Archery. It’s not terribly convenient but we have been to that area for Futsol. They say that training classes start the first weekend of every month. You can make a reservation for the September session by calling 781-352-0643 or by email at: baystatearchery@ymail.com. They also do birthday parties and groups! Hmmm … this could be a fun family outing!
My 8-year-old has been shooting arrows for some time as well at his summer day camp. He’s seems to be fascinated with archery, even building his own bow and arrows from sticks. He can’t decide what to do for his upcoming birthday — everything I’ve suggested (SkyZone Trampoline, Laser Tag, Cooking, Video Game) has been summarily rejected so far — so an archery birthday party might be a good one!
PickyKidPix had archery at her sleepaway camp as well. It’s a YMCA camp but a different one from her sister. She likes it too but said they were onlh allowed to shoot 4 arrows a time!
The Hunger Games — both book and movie — and Brave are credited with the rising interest in archery for kids. When I asked my 13-year-old if indeed it was The Hunger Games that sparked her interest, she replied, “Duh!” That’s teenage speak for, “Thanks so much mom for noticing my interests, where they derive from, and for researching where to get me the lessons I requested.”
The joy of archery seems to be spreading and archery for kids seems to be growing because of it. Have your kids tried archery and, if so, do they like it?
p.s. Here’s a clip of Katniss when she first realizes how good she is.
This is a video of Jennifer Lawerence’s Olympic archery instructor who talks about what it takes to be a great archer.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Archery is a sport that I think I really could have gotten into as a child. Unfortunately, it was almost unheard of then. I like the fact that you can compete against yourself and take it to whatever level you please without feeling the pressure like so many other sports.
Hi Barbara,
Archery does look fun. We are going to try it out when fall soccer ends. My oldest is really, really interested so I’ll keep you posted. One this is for sure, it’s an addicting sport! Once you hit the target, you just want to keep shooting those arrows!
My son has just started with a plastic one. He loves it! We got the bug after watching it in the Olympics. I think introverts in particular will enjoy it.
Hi Catherine,
And I also hear that the actress Geena Davis got really good at archery. She was almost good enough to make the Olympics! It does look fun! Great for the core too! We are going to try it as a family outing/birthday party for my son. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
I loved archery when I tried it at Girl Scout camp. It was so fun, and then I forgot about it. Hmmmm something to look into! I think a mom-daughter archery class would be fun.
Hi Jeanette,
I am a big fan of mother-daughter exercising anything. My middle daughter and I have done yoga together and I like to take my kids to martial arts with me. I am trying for a family archery outing. It will be our version of bowling (since we are all bad at bowling). I hope we fare better at archery but from the trash talk at the dinner table, everyone thinks they are great at it. We shall see!
I was on a short-lived archery team my freshman year of high school. They canceled it due to lack of interest, but I was disappointed – our coach had competed in the Olympics, and I loved it!
Hi MaryAnne,
Wow, that it too bad there wasn’t enough interest for an archery team. Guess you needed The Hunger Games back then. What a great resource your coach is and was. I bet there are kids who want to learn from him or her now! We would want to!!!
I can see my child developing an interest in archery when she is older. It sounds like your oldest is really serious about it. I should try and read Hunger Games myself.
Hi Natalie,
My oldest does seem motivated but she’s only had archery at summer camp. I think it was The Hunger Games that brought her interest to the next level. She keeps bugging me about signing her up for the class so I better get on it! I am going to book my youngest’s birthday party there so hopefully it will all come together.
Good to know about the spot in Norwood…a bit far for us too though! I think there is also a place in Acton that gives beginner instruction and supplies equipment, My 10 yr old has been asking for this AND wants to read THG. Something to plan on for school vacation week, I think!
Hi Cathy,
It’s a little far for us too so I’m not sure if I can do this weekly but I will try to book a birthday party and report back on what it’s like.
I would love to try archery! I always thought it looked so fun.
Hi Erica,
I’ve only tried it twice at mother/daughter weekend at her sleepaway camp for a total of 10 arrows but it IS fun! I am hoping to get more instruction at my son’s birthday party (which I need to book) at that new archery place that just opened.
I always wanted to do archery but now with my eyes the way they are it is too late
Hi Archery Supplies,
Yes, good eyesight is a necessary part of archery. My eyes are not that great either but I think it’s not the reason why I am not that good at archery.
I’ve liked archery since I was a kid, and I even went out to an archery range a few times with my family. There’s something exhilarating about pulling back a bow, and it’s no wonder kids are getting excited about it too after seeing bow-wielding heroes in several movies recently. While my kids are too young to watch the Hunger Games, my daughter especially loves Merida and has been begging for her own bow. I think I’ll be taking her to the archery range soon so she could practice, and of course I’ll tag along so I can get in some practice of my own!
Hi Hazel,
I can totally see the allure of archery too! I have only tried it a few times but it is fun! Harder than it looks but you can do well (at least once) too which makes it addicting!
I agree! Thanks for the reply!
🙂
Love the idea of getting kids more interested in archery with some of the awesome titles of today.
Hi Mark,
Archery is fun for kids and adults!
Excellent to know about the Norwood location…Likewise, this is a bit of a distance for us! My ten-year-old has been requesting this and wishes to read The Hobbit. I believe there is a place in Acton that provides beginner instruction and equipment. Something to consider for the week of summer vacation, I believe!