NASP Announces Results of the 2024 NASP Student Survey

The National Archery in the Schools Program recently released the results of the 2024 NASP Student Survey. The survey was the second such effort by the world’s largest youth archery organization, which has now safely introduced 23.5 million students to the sport of archery.  The purpose of the survey was to gauge the perceptions of active program participants in grades 4-12.  The substantial positive data confirms that NASP continues to focus on its mission, which is to promote instruction in international-style target archery as part of in-school curriculum, to improve educational performance, and participation in the shooting sports among students in grades 4-12.

NASP utilized Survey Monkey software to create, collect and eventually analyze the results from the survey instrument. Access to the survey, along with instructions, model school and parent communications were shared with all active NASP instructors via hyperlinks and QR codes. Intended recipients were clearly designated as active NASP participants in grades 4-12.

During the development of the survey, NASP sought input and collaborated with leadership from:

• Leadership and staff from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 
• Leadership and staff of Responsive Management
• Leadership of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports

The 16-question survey ran live from March 1 through June 1, 2024, with 7,572 responses collected. The +/-1% margin of error for this sample, as well as the 95% confidence interval, illustrate the perceptions gathered from this year’s respondents accurately reflects those of the current 1.3 million active NASP students. 

Focus areas of the 2024 student survey included:

• NASP participant perceptions pertaining to the ongoing R3 efforts across the country (R3 - State Fish & Wildlife Agency Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation planning)
• NASP participant perceptions that impact the archery industry
• NASP participant perceptions on NASP as a potential influence and motivational factor towards academic success.
• Overall perceptions that NASP makes on affective domains and interpersonal student perceptions as an archer

Key 2024 NASP Student Survey findings indicate that NASP participants:

• 50% - NASP was their first time shooting a bow.
• 91% - Have a positive experience shooting a bow.
• 51% - Are now more likely to encourage others to try archery. 
• 34% - Are more confident in other areas of their life.
• 25% - Are better able to handle their emotions or things that are bothering them.
• 49% - Are proud to represent their school – spend time with teammates.
• 40% - Definitely want to continue shooting beyond high school.
• 34% - Are more likely to try to learn other new skills.
• 32% - Are better able to deal with success and setbacks after archery.
• 33% - Are better able to focus on the task at hand because of the discipline of archery.
• 39% - Have purchased a personal bow and another 26% want their own.
• 14% - Have participated in bowhunting and another 25% want to participate.
• 22% - Have encouraged someone in their family to begin shooting archery!
• 68% - Feel more connected to their school!
• 34% - NASP makes me work harder in the classroom!

NASP Honored by Sports Destination Management

Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, has announced the 2024 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. This year’s winners are responsible for contributing a more-than-welcome boost of over $1.88 billion to the national economy over the past year.

Among the winners was the NASP Eastern National Tournament in coordination with the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Total Room Nights: 20,493

Total Economic Impact: $17.7 million

All winners of awards have been recognized in a special feature published in the November/December 2024 issue of Sports Destination Management. The entire article with full details on the winners listed below can also be found online by clicking here.

The NASP would like to thank our staff, partners and volunteers that make this event possible, as well as the 15,510 students who participated in Bullseye and 3D archery in Louisville. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Eastern Nationals in 2025!

NASP Sponsors Annual AWFA Conference

The NASP sponsored the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AWFA) annual conference held in Madison, Wisconsin, Sept. 22-25, 2024. This conference provides a platform for the conservation world to come together to apply science and technology to our nation's fish and wildlife management, including the recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters, anglers and shooting sports participants.  

"Our sponsorship of the Director's breakfast on September 25 at the AFWA conference represents our continued appreciation and commitment to the state fish and wildlife agencies and their directors for the incredible work they do to support conservation, especially in their impact on the lives of our nation's youth through shooting sports," said NASP Vice President Jeff Rawlinson.  

For more than 20 years, NASP has partnered with the fish and wildlife agency in almost every state to coordinate safe, consistent, and fun in-school archery lessons across the nation. These coordinators help equip schools and train teachers to lead archery instruction. 

“The NASP program represents the power of partnership!” said Rawlinson. “In 2024, our state agency partners reached over 1.3 million kids in over 9,500 schools across the country. Through their dedication, archery is impacting youth from all backgrounds and creating strong and diverse advocates for conservation.” 

Since the partnership began in 2002, state fish and wildlife agencies have reached more than 23.5 million kids through the in-school archery program. A 2024 study of the program suggests that, because of NASP, significant numbers of kids have continued in outdoor pursuits including hunting, fishing and shooting sports, contributing to the 175% increase in archery participation in the United States since the program began in 2002.