Teachers, help your students learn responsibility and focus like never before. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding a Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) training workshop for teachers and parent volunteers interested in joining Missouri's National Archery in the Schools program (MoNASP) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 5 at Morgan County Middle School, 913 West Newton, Versailles. The session is free, but pre-registration by Jan. 2 is required.

"Nearly everyone, regardless of age, size or physical ability can succeed at archery," said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Brian Flowers. "This training will give teachers the necessary skills to start an archery program in their school."

MoNASP is modeled on the national archery in the schools program, which began with a simple idea; teach kids the basics of archery as part of a school curriculum. MoNASP teaches Olympic style target archery to students in grades 4-12. Currently, 350 Missouri schools and over 80,000 students participate in this life time sport.

Statistics show school archery programs improve school attendance, increase participants self-esteem and physical activity, helps kids relate to learning subject matter and gets kids outdoors to discover nature.

To register for the workshop, visit http://www.naspbai.org/ClassSearch.aspx?country=US&state=MO
For more information on the BAI training, contact Flowers at Brian.Flowers@mdc.mo.gov or 573-815-7901, ext. 3388.
For more information about MoNASP, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/education/monasp.