NASP History
A physical education curriculum entitled "Archery: On Target for Life”, was co-created in Kentucky in 2002 by the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. The objective was to engage more students in the educational process to improve classroom performance and reduce drop out rates. The NASP was then created.
In Maryland, a committee from the Maryland Bowhunters Society (MBS) started the NASP ball rolling by bringing Roy Grimes, the NASP National Director, to the table with representatives of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS), a few interested physical education (PE) teachers and members of some of the state’s conservation organizations. WHS made the decision after that meeting to implement NASP in Maryland.
Maryland launched its first NASP program at Glenelg High School in late October of 2005. On that day Maryland became the 33rd state to join the NASP ranks. In 2010 Maryland Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Maryland Bowhunters Society to bring you MD NASP. 49 States have adopted the program as of October 2024. There are also active NASP® archery programs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and New Zealand. Over 21 million student archers have participated in archery via NASP® programs. Over 8,900 schools have joined nationally.
It started as a simple idea…Teach kids the basics of archery as a part of the school curriculum. But, it has grown into so much more. The Maryland Archery in the Schools Program has the ability to:
- Affect school attendance
- Increase self esteem
- Translate into subject matter
- Appeal to all students
- Get kids outdoors
- Become an after school activity
- Truly change lives!
As of October 2024, over 21 million students have participated in archery as part of their school curriculum via NASP® programs in over 8,900 schools across the nation.
