The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) released its 2024 NASP student survey results—the second from the largest worldwide youth archery organization, which reports introducing “23.5 million students to the sport of archery.”

The 2024 survey aimed to “gauge the perceptions of active archery participants in grades 4 to 12.” The data collection “confirmed that NASP continues to focus on its mission to promote instruction in international-style target archery as part of the in-school curriculum to improve educational performance and participation in shooting sports among students in grades 4-12.”

During the survey’s development, NASP sought input and collaborated with leadership from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Responsive Management and the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports.

The 16-question survey ran live from March 1 through June 1, 2024, with 7,572 responses collected. The +/-1 percent margin of error for this sample and the 95 percent confidence interval “illustrate that the perceptions gathered from this year’s respondents accurately reflect those of the current 1.3 million active NASP students,” said the organization in a media release.

Focus areas of the 2024 student survey included:

  • NASP participant perceptions about the ongoing R3 efforts across the country (R3 – State Fish & Wildlife Agency Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation planning),
  • NASP participant perceptions that impact the archery industry,
  • NASP participant perceptions on NASP as a potential influence and motivational factor towards academic success and
  • Overall perceptions that NASP makes on affective domains and interpersonal student perceptions as an archer.

Key 2024 NASP student survey responses include:

  • 50% was their first time shooting a bow.
  • 91% had a positive experience shooting a bow.
  • 51% are now more likely to encourage others to try archery.
  • 34% are more confident in other areas of their life.
  • 25% can better handle their emotions or things that bother them.
  • 49% are proud to represent their school and spend time with teammates.
  • 40% want to continue shooting beyond high school.
  • 34% are more likely to try to learn other new skills.
  • 32% are better able to deal with success and setbacks after archery.
  • 33% can better focus on a task because of the archery discipline.
  • 39% have purchased a personal bow, and another 26 percent want their own.
  • 14% have participated in bowhunting, and another 25 percent want to participate.
  • 22% have encouraged someone in their family to begin shooting archery.
  • 68% feel more connected to their school.
  • 34% noted that NASP makes them work harder in the classroom.

Methodology: NASP use Survey Monkey software to create, collect and analyze the results from the survey. Access to the survey and instructions, model school and parent communications were shared with active NASP instructors via hyperlinks and QR codes. Intended recipients were designated as active NASP participants in grades 4-12. The complete 2024 student online survey report can be viewed here

Image courtesy NASP