The York County Bowmen Youth Development Program is designed for youth 11–18 years of age and is open to both club members and non-members. Whether you are picking up a bow for the very first time or looking to improve your existing skills, our program provides a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment.

Our program places the highest priority on Safety, Fun, and Achievement. Participants learn at their own pace while receiving guidance from certified coaches and experienced volunteers.

Weekly Schedule

Classes are held every Monday evening throughout the 10-week program, starting on Sept 21st. Classes will not take place on Thanksgiving Day (Oct 12th).

Each class is 90 minutes long and consists of two consecutive sessions:

Beginner Session

The evening begins at 18:00 to 19:30 with our Beginner Class, designed for participants with little or no previous archery experience.

All equipment is provided by the club. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and shoot both recurve bows and compound bows, helping them understand the differences between the two styles.

During the beginner sessions, participants will learn:

• Range safety and etiquette
• Parts of the bow and basic equipment care
• Proper shooting stance and posture
• Correct grip, hook, and anchor position
• Basic shot sequence and follow-through
• How to safely retrieve arrows
• Introduction to target scoring
• Fun drills and games that reinforce fundamental skills

The goal of the beginner class is to build confidence while developing safe and consistent shooting habits.

Intermediate Session

The Beginner Class is immediately followed by the Intermediate Class between 19:30-21:00.

This session is intended for archers who have already mastered the fundamentals and are ready to further develop their shooting skills.

Participants in the Intermediate Class must bring their own equipment.

Intermediate sessions focus on refining technique and building consistency through structured practice and individualized coaching. Topics may include:

• Refining shooting form and shot execution
• Improving consistency and accuracy
• Equipment setup and tuning basics
• Sight adjustment and aiming techniques
• Distance shooting
• Target scoring and performance tracking
• Mental focus and competition preparation
• Outdoor target and field archery, when conditions permit

Coaches provide individual feedback throughout the program, allowing each participant to progress according to their own abilities and goals.

Program Objectives

Throughout the program, participants will:

• Learn and practice safe range procedures
• Develop proper shooting technique
• Build confidence through structured progression
• Improve accuracy and consistency
• Receive individualized coaching and feedback
• Develop sportsmanship and respect for fellow archers
• Have fun while participating in an exciting lifelong sport

Pricing

• Beginners session:
• Non-members without equipment: $350
• Non-members with equipment: $250
• Members’ children without equipment: $250
• Members’ children with equipment: $150
• Intermediate session (must have own equipment):
• Non-Members: $250
• Members: $150

Enrollment is limited to 14 participants per level to ensure every archer receives personalized instruction and ample coaching time. Registration is available through the York County Bowmen website and it starts on August 1st.

Beginner Level Registration

Intermediate Level Registration