Students lift bows, notch arrows and take aim at targets Tuesday evenings at Salem EC Church, Lenhartsville.
The students, including children, teens and adults, are part of Centershot, a competitive archery program. A new session will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Classes are open to the public.
The goal, director Frank LaPearl says, is for students to learn to take better aim in life. This includes archery skills, he notes, but also the idea of centering lives around the principles for living found in the Bible.
This month, Centershot will resume with the first of several eight-week sessions planned for the 2016-2017 academic year. Students must be at least 10 years old to participate, and a unique aspect of the program is that parents and children can learn together.
“It’s good for parents, a good time to learn a sport with your kid and spend time together,” Frank said.
While many in Berks County equate archery with hunting, hunting is not an aspect of Centershot. Instead, students learn to use intuitive shooting and take aim at the center of a square target with traditional bull’s-eye center. As they progress, the archers learn more complicated skills and enjoy fun-filled theme nights.
Many students relish a competitive “ice cream” night: different papers are scattered on the target with words like “bowl,” “spoon” and “sprinkles” on them. Archers must hit all the needed items to enjoy a bowl of ice cream at the conclusion of the evening.
The ice cream night is a favorite of Gracie Long, a sixth grade student from Lenhartsville who has been in Centershot since its start at Salem in 2015. Her parents note the program has been a good fit for their daughter, who had never before tried any organized sports.
“She’s gained confidence in her skills and is willing to try other things,” her father, David Long, said. “This year, she wanted to try out for the field hockey team.”
“It’s a good sport for someone who isn’t in a school sport already,” Frank confirmed. “And it’s something people of any physical ability can try.”
Instructors can accommodate students with physical or other limitations, he added. Frank and his wife, Lori, attended training with the Centershot organization to become instructors in the program. Additional church volunteers also assist students in the sport.
“Frank had the passion for it,” Lori said, “and he asked me to be an instructor. I just fell in love with it, with archery.”
“Now she’s a better shot than I am,” Frank said, laughing.
Lori added, “I like when you get new students that don’t know the sport. The weeks go by and you see the progression. It’s just amazing what happens in eight weeks.”
Enrollment in the spring session for Centershot is now open. To sign up call Salem EC Church, 2150 Old Route 22, Lenhartsville, at 610-562-5033 or email the LaPearls at huntinpup67@yahoo.com (follow Salem EC on Facebook, fb.com/WeAreSalem). Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning Oct. 25. There is an small enrollment fee, which covers all equipment and materials plus a Centershot tee shirt.
For additional information about Centershot, visit centershot.org.
