When millions of happy customers make a purchase at their local Cabela’s store, they’re asked if they’d like to “round up” the total to the nearest whole dollar to help a worthy outdoor cause. Those who respond agree, are saying yes to helping millions of eager youth to discover their interest and aptitude for archery.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) is pleased to announce, it is one of the newest grant recipients of the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund (COF). This spring, COF became a NASP® Gold Medal Sponsor with it’s award of $100,000 to NASP®, the world’s largest, private youth archery program.
Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to efforts that promote and protect hunting, shooting sports, trapping, fishing, camping and conservation. This fund is possible through donations from generous Cabela’s customers who choose to “round up” their purchases to the nearest dollar at Cabela’s stores. The Cabela’s Outdoor Fund contributes to other like-minded organizations in communities across the country working to make the great outdoors even better.
NASP® is a 15-year old non-profit youth target archery program presented by educators as part of a school’s curriculum to students in grades 4-12. Last school year more than 2.3 million students, in 14,000 schools located in 47 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and 9 other countries participated in NASP®. At its US National tournament in early May, the record for the world’s largest archery tournament was set again, by NASP® at 12,897 students.
Cabela’s Outdoor Fund support will be applied in two areas. Half the donation will be used to increase NASP®’s annual equipment grant. Once teachers at a school become NASP®- certified they must purchase a $3,100 NASP® equipment kit including: 12 Genesis bows, 120 Easton aluminum arrows, Morrell, Block, or Rinehart targets, backstop curtain, and bow racks. New schools, recommended by their jurisdiction’s coordinator, are provided up to $1,000 towards this new equipment. Over the past five years of this equipment grant, more than 2,000 new
schools have been provided such grants. This grant by COF will lead to about sixty-six new schools joining the program. According to participation surveys, this means about 7,800 students will be added to NASP® participation roles in 2016-2017.
The other 50% of these grant funds have been awarded in the form of cash scholarships to 143 student archers at various states’ NASP® Championships this past February-April. These scholarship funds are held in the student’s name until they decide to pursue education after high school. When the student contacts NASP® with his or her plans, checks are made to the educational institution and sent to the student to use as financial aid. To date NASP® has awarded $926,000 in cash scholarships!
“The National Archery in the Schools Program has an amazing impact on the lives of thousands of young students and outdoor enthusiasts. Not only are they introduced to archery and the great outdoors, these students build life-long friendships and are given opportunities for scholarships,” said Scott Wanetka vice president of Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. “Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is proud to support NASP® as a Gold Member Sponsor.”
NASP® President, Roy Grimes offers, “We at the National Archery in the Schools Program®, are humbled and grateful for this strong show of support. More important than the financial contribution, is the confidence Cabela’s Outdoor Fund has demonstrated for NASP® and its mission to change millions of lives, one arrow at a time. “
To find out how your student’s school might join NASP® see: www.naspschools.org
