May 19, 2017 – The Archery in Louisiana Schools Program (ALAS), administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), provided more than $100,000 in equipment grants to 60 Louisiana schools in the last three years.

The grant program was set up to assist 20 new schools each year in getting involved in the ALAS program, part of the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP). Thanks to opportunities like the ALAS Equipment Loan Program there are now more than 20,000 students at more than 200 schools participating in Louisiana.

"It's so much more than just shooting a bow,'' LDWF Regional ALAS Coordinator Jan McGovern said. "Students are learning focus and discipline, two traits that are valuable both in school and out. Students gain confidence on the range and take that with them wherever they go."

The NASP teaches basic archery skills to students in grades 3-12. More than 14,400 schools and 2.4 million students take part in the NASP program each year.

The ALAS/NASP program is available to all schools in Louisiana and grants are still available to assist with funding. For more information about the ALAS program, contact Eric Shanks at eshanks@wlf.la.gov or 337-491-2575.