Aluminum arrows in a row of international-style archery targets
Archery
Bring Archery to Your School
The Colorado Archery in the Schools Program (CASP) promotes student interest and skills development in archery by training educators to incorporate archery into Physical Education curriculum. Designed for Colorado teachers, the Colorado Archery in the Schools Program meets many Colorado Academic Standards in Physical Education. Core content covers range setup, safety, teaching techniques, equipment, mental concentration, and self-improvement.
50%
of NASP® students are first time archers
68%
of NASP® students feel more connected to their school
91%
of NASP® students want to pursue other outdoor activities
National Archery in the Schools Program
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a cooperative effort between conservation agencies, private organizations, and school systems to engage more students in the educational process.These groups believe that archery can be used to stimulate improved educational performance and participation in outdoor-type activities among young people. The local wildlife conservation agency (state wildlife departments) and the school systems work together to train teachers and administer the program. To learn more about the national program, please visit their website.
Start a Program at Your School
In order to participate in CASP, schools must have at least one Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) certified coach. Additionally, to be eligible for funding opportunities and tournaments, a school must be an Active NASP School.
- Public schools and charter schools, as defined by § 22-1-101, CRS, are eligible to participate in CASP.
- Private schools, as defined by § 22-30.5-103, CRS, are eligible to participate in CASP.
- Nonpublic home-based educational programs, as defined by § 22-33-104.5, CRS, are also eligible to participate in CASP, provided such schools and programs are organizations that have received tax exempt status from the IRS pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are eligible to participate in CASP.
CASP is for in-school archery instruction only. If you are interested in teaching archery in other settings (including after school programs) please visit the Archery Trade Association (ATA), USA Archery - Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD), Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports, Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA), or National Field Archery Association (NFAA).
Become a Certified Basic Archery Instructor (BAI)
To participate in the Colorado Archery in the Schools program, schools must have at least one Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) certified coach. BAI courses are generally 8 hours and happen at locations around the state.
Requirements for BAI certification:
- At least 18 years old or older
- Colorado-certified 4th through 12th grade teacher
- Take the BAI course and pass the practical test
- Score at least 70% on the written test
- Complete the end of workshop online survey
Complete Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) certification training. Visit the NASP_BAI website to find your BAI status or a training near you to register. Schools MUST have a certified BAI instructor before submitting an application.
Current Trainings and Events
For a full list of NASP® courses offered in Colorado, please visit the NASP® classes page. If you are interested in receiving email notifications when BAI courses are scheduled in Colorado, be sure to sign up on the NASP BAI Class Notification List. Contact your Regional Education Coordinator if you have any questions.
Get Equipment
Once a staff member has BAI certification, a school is eligible to order equipment from the National Archery in the Schools Program®. Schools must use this standardized equipment to be considered part of the program.
Equipment Funding Opportunities
Colorado Parks and Wildlife partners with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) to provide K-12 schools with partial equipment kits and maintenance reimbursements for in-school Physical or Outdoor Education archery programs. Schools only interested in implementing after school programs are not eligible for equipment funding opportunities.
Applications for the 2026- 2027 funding opportunities will open on November 1, 2026, and close November 20, 2026.
Types of CPW Funding Opportunities
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in partnership with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®), provides partial equipment kits and maintenance reimbursement to K-12 schools in Colorado for their in-school archery programs. There are two types of funding opportunities available for schools:
New Program Equipment Kits
New NASP® schools can apply to receive partial equipment kits to help launch their first NASP® certified in-school archery program.
Equipment Maintenance Reimbursement
Equipment Maintenance Reimbursements offer K-12 schools with an existing NASP® certified in-school program the opportunity to apply for a partial reimbursement to replace or acquire additional archery equipment.
Apply for a New Program Equipment Kit
Applications for the 2026- 2027 funding opportunities will open on November 1, 2026, and close November 20, 2026.
Visit the NASP BAI website to find your BAI status or a training near you to register. Schools must have a certified BAI instructor before submitting an application.
Schools are encouraged to have matching funds for the equipment, and must purchase their own arrows directly ($201/box of 5 dozen from NASP®).
This opportunity is highly competitive. You should start gathering the required information early to make the application process easier.
If awarded, CPW will use the information provided in your application to determine which equipment kit best suits your school's needs.
- Package A: Large Equipment Kit valued at $3,374.00
- 10 Right Hand and 2 Left Hand NASP® Original Genesis Bows
- 5 NASP® Targets by Morrell
- 1 NASP® Arrow Curtain by BCY
- 1 NASP® Repair Kit by Lancaster Archery Supply
- 1 NASP® Bowtree Bow Rack (holds 12 bows)
- 1 Package Floor Quiver (10 quivers)
- 1 Poster Set (11 Steps and Correct Draw Length)
- Package B: Small Equipment Kit valued at $2,410.00
- 5 Right Hand and 2 Left Hand NASP® Original Genesis Bows
- 3 NASP® Targets by Morrell
- 1 NASP® Arrow Curtain by BCY
- 1 NASP® Repair Kit by Lancaster Archery Supply
- 1 NASP® Bowtree Bow Rack (holds 12 bows)
- 1 Package Floor Quiver (10 quivers)
- 1 Poster Set (11 Steps and Correct Draw Length)
Applications for the 2026- 2027 funding opportunities will open on November 1, 2026, and close November 20, 2026.
Apply for Equipment Maintenance Reimbursement
Applications for the 2026- 2027 funding opportunities will open on November 1, 2026, and close November 20, 2026.
Instructors with suspended or terminated BAI certifications are not eligible for funding opportunities. Visit the NASP BAI website to find your BAI certification status.
Determine specific equipment needs and cost by visiting the NASP website equipment page.
Determine the reimbursement request amount. This opportunity is a 50/50 cost-share agreement:
- Your school agrees to pay half (50%) of the total cost for equipment repairs and purchases.
- CPW will reimburse the other half (50%), up to a maximum of $500.00. For example:
- If the school pays $500, CPW will reimburse $250.
- If the school pays $1000, CPW will reimburse $500.
- If the school pays $1500, CPW will reimburse $500.
Applications for the 2026- 2027 funding opportunities will open on November 1, 2026, and close November 20, 2026.
Non-CPW Grant Opportunities
Additional funding support is available for school archery programs.
Teach Archery Using the NASP Method
Once the equipment arrives, your school is ready to implement the program!
Helpful Resources for Basic Archery Instructors:
- Bow Box Storage Plans
- Portable PVC Curtain Frame Construction Plans
- Gym Door Sign – “Archery Class in Progress”
- How to Maintain Genesis Bows
Colorado State Archery Tournament
The NASP® St. Jude E-Championship Charity Tournament Series gives every student that participates in NASP® during the school day a chance to compete with other archers each month during the school year. The annual Colorado State Tournament, held each February, gives students the opportunity to qualify for Nationals, and is open to active NASP® schools. For more information and tournament rules, please visit the NASP®Tournaments website.
Additional Opportunities from NASP®
NASP® is more than just a gym class; it's a doorway to connection, leadership, and a lifelong passion. Get involved, develop skills, and join a massive, supportive archery community!
- Academic Archer Program
- Archer-to-Archer blog
- On Target for Life Awards
- Annual Student T-Shirt Design Contest
- Bragging Boards
- and so much more!
Record Archery Teaching Hours
To stay certified as a BAI coach, you must record your hours (10+ hours of in-classroom lessons). To record your hours follow these instructions.
Refresher Courses
BAI refresher courses happen in the fall and offer more advanced training. The CASP coordinator, upon request, can connect you with available regional trainers to provide refresher training or on-site assistance to certified BAIs.