RANGELEY – The Rangeley Lakes Regional School hosted the National Archery in the Schools Program in May. Maine Bowhunters Association’s Education Director Pete Lamarre promoted the program to Maine’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department.

Others who played key roles in launching the archery program in Rangeley included Emily Jones of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department; Phil Richardson, school superintendent; Rich Curley, school principal; and Tom Danforth, school physical education coordinator.

Danforth arranged for catering and discounted lodging for participants from the nine other Maine schools participating in the initial program. Rangeley Regional School provided the gym, classrooms, training aids and parking.

Mac Dudley of Rangeley Plantation, the bowhunters association representative for Franklin County, provided coordination.

The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department chose two teachers from each of 10 pilot schools to undergo basic archery instructor training, provided by program leader Roy Grimes from Kentucky’s Fish and Game Department.

Grimes started the program in Kentucky in 2002 and it has spread to 39 other states. The program was designed to teach Junior Olympic archery development, which covers archery history, safety techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement. The program also conforms to the national physical education standards. It is provided as a physical education curriculum for fourth- through 12th-grade students.

The pilot schools besides are Fisher Mitchell, Georgetown Community, Great Salt Bay, Phillips Elementary, Telstar Middle, Marshwood Junior High, Dr. Gaul Middle School, Camden Rockport Middle School and the Maine Conservation School.

Each pilot school will be required to provide a series of archery lesson plans over a period of time. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department will monitor each program and evaluate the success before recommending that other schools participate.

People interested in the program can contact Emily Jones at the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department at 287-8000; Pete Lamarre from the Maine Bowhunters Association at 443-2706; or Mac Dudley at 864-5919.