Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon – Kids’ Archery Booth at International Sportsmen’s Exposition
Well, another weekend spent NOT hog hunting… but I can’t say the weekend was a bust.
There are a lot of things I could have been doing on Sunday. There was a big football game on, but I really could care less about televised sports (besides hunting shows, of course). I don’t even know who’s still playing. Isn’t the Super Bowl coming up soon? Or did I miss it?
I could have been out riding the horse. Dolly has been living the life of luxury through the holidays and storms, since I haven’t been able to really get out and work her. She’s getting lazy and fat, and if I don’t get out there soon I’m gonna have my hands full getting her back in shape.
There’s work to be done on my truck, and my hunting gear is scattered from one end of the house to the other. I’ve got a big hunt at Tejon Ranch coming in less than two weeks, and really should be getting ready for that. Need to load some of the Barnes XPB for my .44 mag, and need to get out and do some sighting in with the pistol and the rifles. But I put that off for one more week. Hope the weather is good next weekend.
Nope, instead I got to spend a few hours passing along my passion for hunting to the next generation… bowhunting to be specific.
Every year for the past five years or so, my friend Cecil Pierce and his wife Dee have worked with the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) to put on an archery booth for kids at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition (ISE) in San Mateo, CA. The booth is manned by volunteers from local archery clubs such as King’s Mountain Archers and SF Archers, and in my case, from the Jesse’s Hunting and Outdoors forum. Bows, arrows, and equipment are donated by various organizations and businesses, including 12 Genesis bows from the National Wild Turkey Foundation, arrows from Easton Archery, and equipment from local businesses The Bow Rack from San Pablo, Polombo Archery from Palo Alto, and Archery Only from Newark.
This is usually a busy time of year for me, with travel and events, but whenever I can I try to get down there and lend a hand. Since I found myself with a few hours to spare on Sunday, I pushed aside a few minor chores and headed across the bay.
The rewards are far greater than the cost.
The young archers-to-be are full of enthusiasm and appreciate every moment we spend with them.
The first year I helped out, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I guess I’m an OK archer, but I hardly feel like I have enough skill myself to even pretend to teach anyone else. Would I look and sound like an idiot? I got my answer pretty quick when I checked in, and took my place on the firing line. I honestly don’t remember if that first kid was a boy or a girl, but all my fears disappeared when I saw the excitement and willingness to learn in the little eyes. By the end of my first shift, I’m not sure who was smiling more… me or the little ones.
This year was no different. I barely noticed the passage of time as the young archers filed through. Most of these kids have never touched a bow, so it only required the most basic tutoring to help them sling a few arrows across the five yard range. Some of them were too small to draw the tiny bows, so sometimes I had to draw for them, holding a tiny hand in my palm while I drew the string with two fingers. Some came despite what other people would call limitations and handicaps, but their willingness to try overcame the obstacles. And of course there were a few older kids, and some quite experienced archers as well.
It was fun to joke and laugh with the kids, and watch their confidence grow with a little bit of coaching. I was afraid my patience might be tested, but it never happened. The kids and their parents were great and appreciative, and those few moments we’d spend with each child flew by. Sure, there were a couple of promising Robin Hoods, but there were plenty who could barely get the arrow to the target. We (the volunteers and parents) cheered each attempt, and encouraged the kids to just try their best.
I was reminded of something I noticed a few years ago, back when I was shooting a lot, and really getting the hang of it. On a good shot, when everything was perfect, it felt as if my heart was leaping out with the arrow towards the target. There’s something about seeing that arrow in flight, arcing through the air, that really stirs some primal corner of my imagination. Working with these kids, helping them send out their own arrows… that feeling was magnified a dozen times!
And as each child walked away, I thrilled to the sense of another kind of arrow in flight… a well-aimed shot at the future of our sport.
Cecil Pierce works with a future bowhunter.
What a great day you had Phillip. Inspirational to say the least. Those kids our the future, and the programs that get them initiated into what the great outdoors has for them is awesome! On behalf of all sportsmen and women I thank you for the sharing of yourself with those very eager and willing kids.I have been thinking of starting my own little family archery league in my son-in-laws warehouse. I just started thinking about it, and the same day I read your blog. It helped confirm what I’m going to do.
Thanks Again
Mike
January 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Phillip, thanks so very much for helping to not just preserve our heritage, but grow the sport, too. You and the other volunteers are amazing folks. Everybody at the International Sportsmen’s Expositions thanks you, and your fellow workers.
If any of you have ideas on how we can improve the Youth Fair, always, please let us know. You can reach me at: info@SportsExpos.com
Again, thanks!
John Kirk
Director of Communications
ISE
January 14th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Thanks, Mike… and good luck with your program. I can almost guarantee it’ll be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.
Thanks also to you, John and the folks at ISE for providing the place for these kids to get out and experience all the great stuff at the youth pavilion. I think it says a lot that while the San Mateo show has become more and more streamlined until the hunting and fishing booths pretty much fit in just two halls, the kids’ pavilion fills an entire hall on its own now.
And to anyone, please note that the real heroes at this event are the folks like Dee, Cecil, Jeff Banke, and some of the other folks who dedicate their entire weekend (as well as planning time) to bring it all together. I was only there for a few hours… some of these folks are there for four days, and several days or hours in advance planning.
It’s a worthwhile commitment, though.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
[...] Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon – Kids’ Archery Booth at International Sportsmen’s Expositi… Well, another weekend spent NOT hog hunting… but I can’t say the weekend was a bust. [...]
January 15th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Sounds like a great event.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:57 am
What an awesome way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I bet a lot of those kids go on to learn more about archery and hunting.
I hope more hunters follow your example. As you show here, even volunteering a few hours can make a big difference.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Sounds like a perfect afternoon Phillip. I think I might have to check into doing something like this in the future. Sounds awesome.
There is definitely something about arrow flight and stirs primal emotions in me as well. It is an awesome activity and I think it is great you got out there and helped.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I am not only the photographer, but the District co-ordinator for the IBEP, and cannot thank enough the guys and gals who volunteer their time to help run this event for the kids at the ISE every year. In particular Cecil and Dee who have been the stalwarts in organising the man power for this great kids event.
If anyone is willing to help us out again this coming year please get hold of me j.banke@comcast.net or 510-501-4502 cell so that we can schedule the volunteers.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Hey Jeff… I didn’t see this comment when you made it. Sorry for the delayed reply. Not sure where I’ll be when the show comes around this year, but if I’m here I’ll sure be happy to get over there and help out again!
September 26th, 2009 at 10:59 am