The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that it is now accepting enrollment applications for school districts to take part in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), and Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) would like to encourage area schools to participate. Archery has seen a rapid increase in popularity nationwide and specifically in Onondaga County, which sent six students from Jordan Elbridge High School to last year’s NASP Tournament in Kentucky.

Barclay is a sponsor of Assembly bill 4345, which requires the DEC commissioner to provide education in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in high school physical education courses. For Barclay, the DEC’s NASP participation is the first step in accomplishing this goal.

“Archery is a great activity to test one’s mental and physical prowess,” said Barclay. “As a sponsor of legislation to provide education in hunting, fishing, shooting sports and outdoor activities, I feel the DEC’s participation in this program is a great way to provide our children with increased access to heritage sports like archery.

“After the success of Jordan Elbridge students in last year’s national tournament, plus the fact that the event’s winners also came from Onondaga County, it is clear that archery has secured a place in our physical education curriculum. I commend the DEC for sponsoring this program, and I encourage all our area school districts to take part.”

DEC is currently seeking volunteers to assist in training schools for the NASP. Those interested in volunteering, or who know of a school which would like to join the program, can contact Melissa Bailey, the state program coordinator for NASP-NY, at 315-793-2515, or email at mrbailey@gw.dec.state.ny.us. For more information and photos of the New York program, visit DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov.