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Rockbrook’s Katniss

March 13, 2013

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One of the most appealing things about Rockbrook is the opportunity to try new things.  Many times  you’ll be able to try activities that you wouldn’t be able to do at home for one reason or another.  For example, you may want to learn how to roll a kayak, but you don’t have one at home.  Try it at camp.  You may have always wanted to climb a rock, but who has access to a rock face and a professionally trained outdoors crew on a regular basis?  Climb one (or two, or three) at camp.  You get the idea — camp is the perfect place to try new things!

This could be the reason that one of the most appreciated Rockbrook activities is archery.  Who has the resources/equipment to try an activity like archery on their own?  Not many, that’s for sure.  For years, Archery has been one of the most sought after activities at camp.  That esteem has only increased thanks to the fact that the most celebrated book-turned-movie series out right now is The Hunger Games, a story in which the main character, Katniss Everdeen, is depicted as an underdog, then champion, then heroine.  And, as we all know by now, the skill that sets Katniss apart from the rest — she’s a magician with a bow and arrow.  Katniss with a bow and arrow is like Michael Jordan with the basketball as time expires during the playoffs: GOLDEN.  So, it’s only fitting that archery’s popularity as an activity at camp has soared.  Suddenly we find ourselves thinking: I want to be like Katniss.

This is where Rockbrook and Katniss collide.  Longtime Rockbrook girl, Marston, decided early on that archery was one of her favorite activities at camp.  It didn’t take us long to see how much Marston enjoyed archery, and bullseye after bullseye proved that she was pretty good at it too.  Besides loving archery, Marston’s also a pretty big Hunger Games fan.  Check out the photos below of Marston, on the left, and Katniss, on the right.  I’m no expert when it comes to archery technique, but I think Katniss could take a few tips from Marston.  Such focus, such form!

You go, Marston!
You go, Marston!
Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games
Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games

So Marston’s a super archer and she likes The Hunger Games.  Cool coincidence?  Here’s another awesome addition to the saga: Jennifer Lawrence, the Oscar award winning actress who plays Katniss, seems pretty hip by any standards, and Marston met her!!!!!!!!!!!!  Exciting, huh?  Archery, Katniss, Marston, and Rockbrook all coming together.  I wonder if Jennifer got any good shooting tips from Marston?  Maybe the two can set up a meeting on the range.  I have my money on the Rockbrook girl, our very own version of Katniss!

Martson and Jennifer Lawrence pow-wowing on the red carpet.
Martson and Jennifer Lawrence pow-wowing on the red carpet.

Beginning Archery

May 3, 2011

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Young Girls Archery

Can the youngest girls at camp try archery?

Yes they can! Even the youngest campers, the girls who have finished kindergarten and first grade, can sign up for archery. Just like all the campers, they too can learn about the equipment, safety procedures and archery shooting techniques.

To fit a smaller person, we first of all provide special bows that are easier to pull and shorter arrows to match these smaller bows. Also, to make things easier overall, we move the shooting line much closer to the target.

Likewise, the Rockbrook archery instructors take extra care to introduce the youngest girls to the important aspects of the sport. With plenty to learn when you’re just starting out, it’s a big adventure right from the beginning.

Beginning girls tend to really like archery right away, and it doesn’t take long for them to improve, hit the target more consistently, and even score a bullseye. It may start quite young, but archery can be a lifelong sport for all!

Summer Camp Archery

October 19, 2009

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So let’s say you get to summer camp and you’ve never tried archery. Sure you’ve seen it on TV and you know it means pulling back an arrow in a bow, releasing it while aiming at a target, and hopefully hitting the target in the center. But you’ve never really tried it before.

Summer Camp Archery Girl

At first, it’s kind of funny. After learning the basics about the equipment and how to shoot, you give archery a try and shoot arrows over, under, to the side, and anywhere but on the target. Slowly but surely though, each round lets you make small adjustments. A little coaching gets thrown in, and you are soon scoring points on the target.

Next thing you know, you’re hooked, and you’re selecting archery again for one of your daily camp activities. Archery becomes one of your favorite things to do at summer camp.

That’s cool, but what do you do when you get home from camp? How can you keep shooting, and improve you archer’s skills? Well, there might be a local archery club near you. You could also form an archery club and join the Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) organization.  If you can find an adult supervisor, set up a safe archery range, and gather the proper equipment, you can begin to practice shooting archery all year long.  This might be tough to do by yourself, but if you can get several friends and their parents to get excited about the idea, you can do it!  Your club can then compete in local or regional tournaments, and you might even be able to join the youth world team and compete in other countries representing America.

Archery can be a lifelong sport, and just think, it all started at summer camp.

Archery for All!

December 29, 2008

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Archery Children Outdoor Games

Among the outdoor games children play at camp, archery is popular with all aged children. No matter what their level of experience, girls can enjoy shooting a bow and arrow. Some of this comes from adjusting how far away the targets are (and therefore making it more challenging for older children to get a bullseye), but also the sport of archery itself is an outdoor game that takes a lot of practice. It’s very difficult to be consistent in your shooting, so it’s always possible to improve your shot. From the youngest juniors, who are as young as 6, through the oldest seniors, who are 15, everyone enjoys the outdoor game of archery at camp.

Shooting Archery

November 3, 2008

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girl shooting archery bow and arrow

Here we have another of the more popular activities with the girls at camp— shooting archery. It’s not too surprising when you think about the satisfaction that comes from hitting the target, or the confidence you feel when you get better and better at it. Plus, it’s just nice to approach the whole thing calmly and with steady concentration. You’re outside, you’re active and learning, and your friends are there cheering you on (and ready to chat between rounds 🙂 ).

What could be better than that?!

P.S. Need some inspiration? Check out this profile of Angela Moscarelli.

The Fun of Archery

April 23, 2008

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Shooting Archery at Camp

Archery for teens and kids is still an amazingly popular thing to do at camp. Even if you’ve never held a bow before, let alone shot an arrow, it doesn’t take long to figure out the basics. And before you know it, you’ll feel really good about hitting the target, even getting a bullseye. Archery is a really old activity. Some of the oldest arrowheads found are more than 50,000 years old, for example! When you think about it, archery has been a part of probably every society to some extent. Wow! And now here it is at a summer camp for girls called Rockbrook!

It's Archery!

February 4, 2008

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Archery Girl Summer Camp

A classic thing to do at sleep away camps— learn archery —and for girls at Rockbrook, it’s very popular. Whether you’re 6, 16 or somewhere in between, using a bow and arrow, and getting good at it, is really fun. A big part of it is learning all of the equipment (e.g., the bows, parts of the arrow like the “fletching,” the protective gear like the “bracer” or “arm guard” and the “tab” or “finger guard”) and then the important shooting techniques and form (like how to aim for example!). But of course, with practice, hitting the bullseye of the target, that inner yellow circle, is the ultimate challenge. Getting a bullseye is also great because then your name is announced in the dining hall, and everyone cheers for you. You’re part of the RBC Bullseye Club! Awesome!

Camp Archery Program

August 16, 2007

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Girl Archery Camp

Archery is another huge hit with the kids at Rockbrook this summer. Girls really enjoy learning about archery at summer camp. There’s something classic about it. Nocking an arrow, pulling the bow, taking a breath, holding still, and releasing the arrow toward the multi-colored target. Of course, we’re aiming for the center of the target, and when we hit it, we get a certificate proving we’re in the “Bullseye Club.” No matter how old you are, it’s not easy at first, but with practice it doesn’t take long to improve and hit the target more and more perfectly. Hey, there’s Griffin!

Archery at Camp

January 6, 2006

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archery

“Rockbrook is the best camp ever. We do lots of activities. Archery is my favorite. I like the feel of the bow in your hand as you are about to release the arrow. I like the sound of the arrow as it hits the target. I like the feeling knowing you have hit the target with a perfect shot. I love everything about archery. It is my favorite sport!”

— Larkin J., camper ’05