Summer has been busy at Arrows of Strength, and as we look back over the past month, we’re grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to introduce youth and families to archery while building confidence, connection, and community.
On May 30, we hosted our Girls Day at the Range event at Dead-On Archery in Boise. Ten youth girls and seven adult women joined us for an evening of learning, encouragement, and fun. Some participants were shooting a bow for the first time, while others were building on skills they had already developed. More importantly, they were surrounded by people willing to cheer them on and support their growth.
Events like Girls Day at the Range remind us that confidence often begins with a simple opportunity: the chance to try something new in a safe and supportive environment. We’re thankful to Dead-On Archery for helping make that possible.
Between our community events, we also spent time on the trail at a 3D archery shoot in Nevada. Watching young archers of different ages hike mountain courses alongside family members was a reminder that some of archery’s greatest benefits have little to do with scores.
A teenager encouraging a younger sibling, a four-year-old proudly carrying a bow down the trail, family members spending the day together between targets—these moments may seem simple, but they’re often where growth happens. Skills are being learned. Confidence is being built. Memories are being made. Relationships are growing stronger.
The things that help young people thrive don’t always happen in a classroom, on a field, or in a formal program. Sometimes they happen one arrow at a time.
On June 18, we gathered again for Girls Night at the Range at Endless Archery in Nampa. Six youth girls and five adult women came together to learn, laugh, and challenge themselves. The atmosphere was filled with encouragement as participants celebrated successes, worked through challenges, and discovered that archery has a unique way of bringing people together.
We’re grateful to Endless Archery and the volunteers who helped make the evening possible. Community partnerships like these allow us to continue expanding opportunities for youth throughout the Treasure Valley.
This week also marked an exciting milestone for Arrows of Strength as we partnered with the City of Boise Parks and Recreation Department for the first time. Through their Out and About summer camp program, twelve youth participants were introduced to archery while learning the fundamentals of safety, focus, and shooting technique.
For many of the youth, it was their first experience with the sport. Throughout the day, we watched young people challenge themselves, encourage one another, and discover the satisfaction that comes from learning a new skill. We’re thankful to Boise Parks and Recreation for trusting us with this opportunity and for their commitment to creating meaningful experiences for youth in our community.
As we look ahead, there is plenty to be excited about. In July, Arrows of Strength will travel to Idaho City for a community outreach event, bringing archery opportunities to youth and families outside the Treasure Valley. Then in August, we’ll host another Girls Day at the Range event, creating another opportunity for girls to build confidence, develop new skills, and experience the rewards that come from persistence and practice.
Whether through individual coaching, community events, camps, or partnerships, our mission remains the same: helping young people build confidence, resilience, and life skills through positive experiences, supportive relationships, and the sport of archery.
Thank you to our volunteers, donors, partners, parents, and participants for making this work possible. Every event, every lesson, and every new archer represents another opportunity to invest in the next generation.
We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer brings.
