The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP©) was developed to serve these specific educational and conservation purposes. NASP© was co-created by the Kentucky Departments of Fish & Wildlife Resources and Department of Education and Mathews Archery in the late summer and fall of 2001. The program was launched in 21 Kentucky middle schools on March 3, 2002. Originally called the "Kentucky Archery in the Schools Program", the effort's goal was to enroll 120 schools and teach target archery skills to 24,000 students each year. Kentucky gave itself three years to achieve this goal. 

First and foremost in each NASP® school program is Safety. It just so happens that according to the National Safety Council, archery is safer than every ball sport offered in schools except....table tennis. Safety and range set up is replete throughout NASP® Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) courses. 

NASP® is oriented to ‘target archery.' NASP® founder are lifetime hunters but NASP® is strictly target archery. Archery is a lifetime skill and is safe, wholesome, and non-controversial. The program is designed to reach all students whether rural, urban or special needs. Teaching a lifetime skill will give the individual the ability to choose whether to continue target shooting or try other venues. 

The equipment designated for use in NASP® is suited for the typical 4th-12th grade physical education class. No matter the students size, ability, or gender every archer in NASP® uses an identical bow, identical arrows, and learns to shoot at distances that guarantee immediate success. The lessons are designed for safe shooting indoors our outside. NASP® courses are presented as a part of the in-school curriculum. The course is designed to be at or above national curriculum standards and must be taught in school during the day as a part of the school curriculum. This assures that archery is offered to all students. This in-school teaching principle is why 77% of NASP graduates report this was their first time to experience archery. Because NASP® isn't an 'after-school-only' effort, we are not simply preaching to the choir. 

NASP® training is consistent, comprehensive, and current. Range set up, operation and training methods are standard in each school. Specific training methods assure the proficiency of the teacher and their graduation from Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) class is a prerequisite to offering NASP® courses in schools. 

NASP® teaches a lifetime skill. In doing so we stress the teaching of skills over technology. Each student learns on identical equipment which is safe, universal fit, modern looking, affordable, durable and interesting for the teacher and student to learn. This levels the playing field for all archers and encourages focus on technique and form instead of equipment and technology. 

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