A whopping 574 youth learned how to shoot an arrow from dedicated Wisconsin 4-H archery volunteers at Farm Technology Days in Bear Creek in early August.
“It was like a flood,” says Dana Keller, a Wisconsin 4-H adult volunteer and archery instructor. “There were so many kids coming through this tent, some came back to shoot a second time.”
On stops between their parents inspecting the latest farm equipment and learning cutting-edge farming practices, youth entered a portable archery range. One of fifteen seasoned adult instructors and older youth archery volunteers helped them each find their dominant eye — the one they should look with to aim when they’re shooting. Youth chose an arrow from the quiver at the shooting line and instructors showed them how to hold the grip and pull back.
“There’s a lot of little ones that come through, so we’re holding the bow and helping them pull the bow string back. It gives them an opportunity to experience working with older 4-H members.”
—Doug Thompson, shooting sports coordinator for Wisconsin 4-H
Thompson talked with parents about the archery program and opportunities in their counties for shooting sports education and projects while youth shot. “Some of them were literally jumping off the ground when they turn around to look at mom or dad and say, “Look where I hit!””
Archery project is the 10th most popular project for Wisconsin 4-H’ers with 3,218 youth enrolled through clubs in 2024. Once youth participate in archery training in their counties, they can attend 15 statewide invitational shoots. The highest scorers ages 14 and older are invited to the national championships in Nebraska, where 35 Wisconsin youth had the opportunity to attend 2025.
Honing archery skills leads to the development of other traits that help youth thrive. Archery can help them build:
- Responsibility: Youth must follow range safety rules and care for their equipment.
- Commitment: Youth need to follow through with plans to participate in competitions and practice to prepare for them ahead of time.
- Decision-making: Youth may need to choose which events to participate in at a shoot if they’re limited to a certain number.
- Self-confidence is a key element of the Wisconsin 4-H archery program, leaders say, built by working with an adult volunteer. “That mentor can pat them on the back a little bit and coach them and say, “This is what you need to practice, and this is where you’re doing well,” Thompson says.
Keller, the archery instructor, grew up in Wisconsin 4-H horse and art projects in the Madison area before moving to northern Wisconsin, where she picked up archery. Now a Level 3 USA Archery instructor and events coordinator at A1 Archery pro shop in Hudson, she teaches instructor certification workshops to Wisconsin 4-H adult volunteers statewide.
Keller’s daughter, River, a 4-H member and high school junior who’s a nationally certified instructor as well, helped youth at the Farm Tech Days archery tent. River says she used to be shy and uncomfortable, but teaching archery, along with being a 4-H member, has helped her develop friendships and more confidence working with people.
“It’s amazing, honestly,” River says. Through the process, she realized she wants to study education and become a teacher.
“I love the connection with people. I love being able to read people and being able to know how to help them — seeing a shy person and then teaching them and introducing them to people.”
—River Keller, 4-H youth shooting sports instructor
The Kellers embody the 4-H tradition of supporting the next generation’s development.
“4-H is so much about learning, and the people that teach this are willing to donate their time and efforts to help you become the best,” Dana Keller says. “The project areas become a part of your household, and it becomes that thing you look forward to.”
