Kids Archery Parties

[Ffish]

A slight aside from the "raising funds theme", but could anyone give me some ideas on holding an archery party for kids?

I realise it would involve a fair amount of organising, and i'm not sure about insurance and other "official" aspects that I'd have to consider, but it'd make a good change from bowling, cinema, laser tag and all the others he's done in the past.

Anyone got some suggestions on how I could do this? Obviously we're looking at next year now, but it gives me some time to organise it. A possible connection to the thread about raising club coffers perhaps? Mind you, I'm not sure half a dozen 11yr olds on a 'paaaarty' would be the sort of thing that my club would welcome!

Anyone tried, or come across these things in the past?

[moo-mop]

The sports center in Cambridge does them. I think the kids liked it until they saw the university archers with their kit enter (we were next).
"wow - here come the professionals" was the comment - little did they know!

[geoffretired]

Light weight bows depending on the ages. Bosses on the stands at ground level not normal height. Backstop netting. Shooting line nice and obvious. Waiting pen rather than waiting line( again depending on ages)
Three arrows to each person; three arrows collected from each person!!
Usually high anchor near cheekbone as the arrows tend not to overshoot that way.
I think the names and addresses of children will need to be added to the minutes book. Dare I mention Child Protection? Don't let them do William Tell stunts.

[dth]

Originally Posted by Ffish

A slight aside from the "raising funds theme", but could anyone give me some ideas on holding an archery party for kids?

I realise it would involve a fair amount of organising, and i'm not sure about insurance and other "official" aspects that I'd have to consider, but it'd make a good change from bowling, cinema, laser tag and all the others he's done in the past.

Anyone got some suggestions on how I could do this? Obviously we're looking at next year now, but it gives me some time to organise it. A possible connection to the thread about raising club coffers perhaps? Mind you, I'm not sure half a dozen 11yr olds on a 'paaaarty' would be the sort of thing that my club would welcome!

Anyone tried, or come across these things in the past?

That's incredible, on Saturday (1st July) I was discussing with the missus the idea of children's archery parties, I wasn't sure whether my club would like to get involved with the admin and red tape, but I think it would be a cracking idea, as you say the usual activities can become jaded. Besides mid August I've got to sort out Josie's party and I'm struggling!

DTH

Great minds think alike eh?

[Cakemeister]

Not convinced- an archery event for children where the focus is the archery is fine, but the association of 'party' and 'weapon which shoots pointy things'
gives me some doubt. The children need to be in a state of mind where you can talk to them about care & safety. If you've got the right kids & the right relationship then fine (& the club are happy about the use of their kit in this way) but party kids tend to be rather high & I'd think twice.

[geoffretired]

Dead right!

[Small Monkey]

Originally Posted by Cakemeister

Not convinced- an archery event for children where the focus is the archery is fine, but the association of 'party' and 'weapon which shoots pointy things'
gives me some doubt. The children need to be in a state of mind where you can talk to them about care & safety. If you've got the right kids & the right relationship then fine (& the club are happy about the use of their kit in this way) but party kids tend to be rather high & I'd think twice.

That's pretty much why I took one look at the thread title and went "Glaark!"
Although the previous ideas seem to suggest an archery day as a birthday treat with the focus away from partying - which would probably be quite fun.

[Tony_zelah]

If the event was properly organized as a have-a-go, I think it would then be fine, and who knows it may even be a good way to introduce archery to a new group of people. We ran a session at my club only last month, twelve kids with age range of 8-11 and they were fine, its the parents who're the hard work

[Ffish]

Let me get one thing right - I wasnt planning a 30-strong mass of sproggs running around pretending to be cowboys & indians!

I was intending no more than six (relatively mature) 11 year olds for a couple of hours to "have a go" under strict supervision, and perhaps with a shoot-out (or similar) at the end. This would then be followed by the de-riguer pizza/coke/cakes fest afterwards.

As you say, it might be an opportunity to get newcomers into the sport who perhaps have never tried it before, and would be something different from the routine stuff that kids tend to do these days.

[Tony_zelah]

If I still lived in that area I'd be there offering a hand if i got hope the day goes well and every one is