Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
YOUTH REQUIREMENTS
To participate in the archery program the following
requirements must be met:
•Participants must be registered in Scouts BSA, Venturers or
Sea Scouts
•Youth not registered in an official program must meet the
required age guidelines to participate in a recruiting event.
•All youth participants are required to have written permission
from their parent or guardian before they can take part in the
program. A sample permission form is included in Appendix 1 of
this guide. The council may also include this as part of the overall
permissions for the camp or activity; however, it must clearly
state that a child has the parent or guardian’s permission to
handle Archery equipment.
Outdoor Programs & Properties
1
INTRODUCTION
This guide is intended
to provide units,
districts and councils
with an overview of the
requirements for
running the Archery
p r o g r a m . A l l B S A
Policies must followed
and instructors are
required to be
certified as a USA
Archery Level 1
Instructor. In this
publication, you will
find youth
requirements and
training requirements
for adults who are
providing archery
programs.
This program offers a
fun and safe
introduction to
Archery.
INSTRUCTIONAL
ARCHERY EXPERIENCE
FOR SCOUTS BSA MEMBERS,
VENTURERS AND SEA SCOUTS
Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
ADULT SUPERVISION
AND
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
1. BSA Youth Protection policies for two deep
leadership must be maintained at all times.
2. Instructors must have current USA Archery
Level 1 Instructor certification and be at least 18
years of age.
APPLICABLE LAWS
BSA safety policies generally run parallel to or go
beyond legal mandates. However, it is the camp or
activity supervisor’s responsibility to confirm and
ensure compliance with all applicable federal,
state, and local regulations or statutes related to
youth using archery equipment.
Outdoor Programs & Properties
2
STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
The standard operating
procedures (SOPs) of the
range should also be reviewed
by USA Archery Level 1
Instructor before delivering
this program. All equipment
must be approved for use by
the USA Archery Level 1.
THE RANGE
An approved range can include:
BSA Range
Public Range
Private Range
Commercial range
Private Property Range.
Public, private property or
commercial ranges must be
certified using the application
found here:
Click here
or
type this address in browser
https://www.scouting.org/
filestore/
Outdoor%20Program/
Shooting%20Sports/
430-065_WB.pdf
Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
OPERATING PROCEDURES
The procedures outlined in the USA Archery Level 1 Instructor manual provides
the guidelines for operating an indoor or outdoor archery range. All archery
equipment used during the instructional shoot must be approved for use by the
USA Archery Level 1 Instructor.
THE RANGE
An approved range can include:
BSA Range
Public or private commercial range
Private property or club
Ranges must be set up under leadership of the USA Archery Level 1 Instructor.
INSTRUCTIONAL ARCHERY SHOOTING EXPERIENCE
Purpose. Instruct youth in safe and fun archery shooting sports programs.
Examples. Boy Scout Archery Merit Badge, USA Archery Level 1 or other
recognized archery training. An instructional shooting experience could be held at
a BSA-approved facility, public, private, commercial or club range.
Youth. Scouts BSA and Venturers
Training References: Boy Scout Archery Merit Badge Pamphlet; Download Ranger
Award Requirements
Equipment and Targets: Age appropriate recurve or compound bows must be used.
Crossbows are not allowed. Manual and mechanical release systems are allowed. Any
sighting systems can be used.
Allowable arrows and targets. All arrows must have target points. Requirements
are set forth in the Merit Badge Pamphlet and Venture Award materials. No
zombie or humanoid targets are allowed.
Target butts can be made of any penetrable materials so arrows will partially
penetrate but not go through the butt material. Synthetic, foam and natural
materials can be used in the manufacture of butts.
Outdoor Programs & Properties
3
Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
Range. A BSA-approved range or a public or private commercial range or club.
Note that if using private property for the range location, the USA Archery Level
1 Instructor manual provides safety distance guidelines for outdoor range
inspection prior to approving a location for an archery range.
Training: USA ARCHERY Level 1 Instructor or higher level instructor certification
for Merit Badge, USA Archery Level II Instructor is required for Level 1
instructor certification.
Safety. Arm-guards and finger tabs or gloves are required. If mechanical releases
are used the finger tabs or gloves are not required.
Range supervision. A certified USA ARCHERY Level 1 Instructor or higher.
Student to Instructor ratio is 1:8.
Here are the whistle commands.
o 2 whistle blasts – Go to the line
o 1 whistle blast – Shoot
o 3 whistle blasts – Retrieve Arrows
o 5 or more blasts – Emergency. Immediately stop shooting, return bows
to the rack, and go behind the waiting line
BEFORE YOUTH ARRIVE AT THE PROGRAM AREA
All archery equipment, targets, stands and the physical range must be inspected
for safety and preparedness prior to any participant’s arrival at the shooting
venue.
ON THE RANGE
• Bows, arrows, safety equipment and targets will be at each shooting position
• General staging areas for shooters and those waiting their turn are clearly
marked including the Waiting Line, Shooting Line, and Target Line.
!
Outdoor Programs & Properties
4
Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
RANGE INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Inspected by________________________ Date _________
√ = Yes
____Controlled access/fencing/gates closed ____
____Flags or signs displayed ____
____Range limits identified ____
____Backstop/impact area inspected ____
____Range lines/area marked ____
____Spectator area designated ____
____Supplies available ____
____First-aid kit filled/accessible ____
____Range rules posted ____
____Bulletin board available ____
____Bow racks available ____
____Empty trash receptacles available ____
____Lockable storage ____
____Arm guards and finger protection available ____
____Hand washing Station Available ____
RANGE SAFETY BRIEFING
Note: This briefing is best done within viewing site of the shooting range.
BSA ARCHERY SAFETY BRIEFING
• Safety is always #1
• To provide beginning shooters with Knowledge, Skill and Attitude (KSA)
necessary to shoot a bow and arrow safely under direct supervision of a
certified instructor.
• Archery range rules
o Always walk on the range
o Keep arrows in quiver until told to shoot
o Only release the bow string when an arrow is nocked and safely
pointed at the target
o Leave dropped arrows on the ground until instructed to retrieve them
o If there is an emergency on the range immediately alert the
instructor
• Parts of a bow and parts of an arrow
• Demonstrate correctly nocking, drawing and shooting an arrow
• Shooting fundamentals
o Stance
o Nock
Outdoor Programs & Properties
5
Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
Download the Archery Briefing by clicking here OR typing this address in your
browser https://www.scouting.org/Home/OutdoorProgram/ShootingSports.aspx
For questions or additional information, contact the National Service Center at
[email protected]
Outdoor Programs & Properties
6
Boy Scouts of America
January 4, 2018
SAMPLE PERMISSION FORM
APPENDIX 1
Scouting Participation and Hold-Harmless Agreement
_____________________ (Unit, District or Council) is conducting a shooting sports program.
Scouts will be instructed how to handle, maintain, and shoot Archery safely and be provided
instruction to increase their shooting skills. Scouts will have classroom instruction and range
instruction in which they will shoot Archery under the supervision of a trained USA Archery Level 1
or higher certified Archery Instructor.
Scouts will be required to wear arm-guard and finger tabs protection while on the range. Scouts are
expected to abide by all safety rules and the instructions of the USA Archery Level 1 or higher
Archery Instructor(s).
I, the undersigned, give my child,
_________________________, permission to participate
in this program. I understand that participation in the activity involves a certain degree of risk.
I have carefully considered the risk involved and have given consent for my child to participate
in the activity. I understand that participation in the activity is entirely voluntary and requires
participants to abide by the rules and standards of conduct. I release the Boy Scouts of America,
the local council, the activity coordinators, and all employees, volunteers, related parties, or
other organizations associated with the activity from all claims or liability arising out of
this participation.
I understand that any additional cost associated with participation in this program will not be
refunded if my child is removed due to behavioral problems. For safety, my child and I agree that
he/she will do the following or he/she will be removed from the program:
1. Complete the training offered as part of the program.
2. Wear all safety gear while on the range.
3. Follow all safety rules provided in the training class.
4. Follow the instructions of the USA Archery Level 1 or higher Archery Instructor.
5. Do not handle an archery equipment until instructed to do so by the USA Archery Level
1 or higher Archery Instructor.
6. Follow the instructions of the USA Archery Level 1 or higher Archery Instructor.
7. Is registered as a Scouts BSA member, Sea Scout, or Venturer.
Participant signature __________________________________ Date: _________
Parent/guardian signature ______________________________ Date: _________
Parent/guardian printed name ___________________________ Date: _________
Home phone _________________________Cell phone _________________________
Printing 2020
Boy Scouts of America
420-905
Outdoor Programs & Properties
7