Youth archery program hits the mark at Rye Preserve

The last time 8-year-old Maya Christian attended Manatee County’s archery class, she could only watch because she was just under the age limit. 

Only kids ages 6 to 16 can participate in the monthly archery program at Rye Preserve. 

Christian returned to the preserve May 3 for the last class of the season and took her best shots at the targets. She lost a couple arrows to the grass, but that’s not uncommon when first learning. 

The class is provided through a partnership between the county and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC provides the equipment; Manatee County provides the instructors. 

Right now, the program is gearing up for summer camp, which will be offered in June. Spots are still available. 

Monthly classes are offered from September to May on the first Saturday of the month. There are two beginner sessions and one advanced class. 

Instructor Coral Bass said participating in the advanced class is based on skill, not age. Kids as young as 7 years old move up.

The summer camp welcomes all skill levels, as long as the campers are ages 9 to 12.

Beginners are introduced to the equipment and provided basic instructions. For more advanced archers, the focus is on refining their skills.

Some of the refinement comes from playing games. 

Bass likes playing a version of Battleship with the young archers. Depending on where your arrows land, you can sink another archer’s ship. 

The range can only accommodate five archers at a time, which limits the classes to 10 kids each and causes a fairly regular waiting list. 

Amber Rondenne’s son Kolton attended the camp last summer and brings him and his younger siblings to the monthly classes when they can get spots. 

“If you’re not on that 8 o’clock email right away, you don’t get in,” she said.

The email is Manatee County's monthly Eco Events Newsletter that lists all the events scheduled in county parks for the upcoming month. Residents can sign up at MyManatee.org.