- May 18, 2025
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Manatee County hosts an archery class at Rye Preserve May 3.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMaya Christian, 8, is happy to be old enough for archery. She was too young the last time she attended with her big brother.
Photo by Lesley DwyerGreenbrook's 13-year-old Joshua Reichman takes aim.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota's Isaac, Alexander and Abraham Bezu enjoy the archery program so much that the boys will be getting their own bows soon.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCoral Bass, an education and volunteer specialist for Manatee County, is one of the archery instructors.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe archery class is first taught with pretend bows and arrows. Students are given equipment after they've run through all the steps.
Photo by Lesley DwyerStudents are taught how to safely retrieve their arrows.
Photo by Lesley DwyerAedan Stockdale, Education and Volunteer Divison Manager for Manatee County, points to the different colored feather on the arrow, which guides how the arrow is placed on the bow.
Photo by Lesley DwyerEast County's Zac Sharif, 11, and Bradenton's Paycen Rondenne, 13, set their sights on the bull's eye.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBradenton's Kolton Rondenne is one of the more experienced archers. He attended archery camp at Rye Preserve last summer.
Photo by Lesley DwyerGreenbrook's 11-year-old Emma Reichman pulls a bull's eye out of the target.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBradenton's 7-year-old Ensley Rondenne learns archery at Rye Preserve May 3.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe 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.
