Smiles as wide as a compound bow filled Bronco Arena as area youngsters and their families learned the sport of archery Tuesday and Thursday.
Certified archery instructor Robbie Stouffer of Robbie Stouffer Ministries, Inc. was in the Falls this week offering different archery programs and certifying archery instructors.
“I was here to teach kids and their families form, technique, and different shooting styles,” Stouffer said.
Stouffer and his skills were brought to the area not only to teach kids, but to certify instructors, including Josh Koenig, a physical education teacher with Independent School District 361.
“Bringing archery into the school came from a grant I applied for,” Koenig said of the grant that would go towards purchasing equipment.
Koenig’s grant came through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the National Archery in the School Program. Efforts to receive the $2,500 grant and promote archery in the school system will be part of the natural growth plan, Koenig said.
Stouffer said he certified five local instructors Wednesday and is glad to see an interest in the International Falls community.
“Archery is a life-learning skill,” he said. “It (archery) teaches patience, builds self confidence, promotes self esteem, and it gives a person self satisfaction of learning something new.”
Koenig agreed, “It teaches the kids self discipline, mental toughness, and as they continue to improve, they can get a real positive experience out of it. It is definitely a confidence builder.”
Koenig used his son, Bryant, who took Stouffer’s class, as an example.
“Tuesday, he was really down on himself and would get upset if he missed his target,” Koenig said.
That was not the case Thursday. Numerous cheers came from Bryant’s direction after almost every shot he took.
Stouffer explained that he transfers archery to the stance society takes on spiritual and material ways of living.
“Our target is Jesus Christ,” he said. “We are aiming to be better — like Him.”
Koenig concluded, “After Wednesday’s training, I’m really excited to bring this into the school.”
