The Effingham County Extension office recently introduced its 4-H’ers to their newest program, archery.

Effingham Extension hopes to complement and enhance sportsmanlike character, build high standards of safety and development of skills, through a hands-on approach. With 4-H’s slogan, “learn by doing,” kids accompanied by their coaches are being taught the sport of archery, but also gain insight on how to be responsible, disciplined and confident.

The spirit of 4-H sportsmanship and appropriate behavior is expected of all participants in the 4-H shooting sports program. Also, the 4-H’ers are encouraged to continue their participation in the life-long recreational activity, long after the competitions are over.

4-H archery team members are: John Brooks, Byron Carter, Achaia Duggar, Simeon Edenfield, Jack Hendrix, Grayson Higginbotham, Jane Kraeling, Stephen Kraeling, Garrett Leach, Colby Malphus, Macy Morgan, Dylan Neidlinger, Madison Richardson, Jacob Schimmel, Jason Schimmel, Zoee Shuman, Jackson Swindell and Chase Weitman.

Pointing the kids in the right direction is a group of volunteer leaders. The 4-H archery team coaches are Roy Callaway, Len Morgan, Brian Schimmel and Sidney Warner.

Kids are permitted to use compound and reserve bows in both indoor and outdoor competitions. Indoor season runs from November through February and is individual competition only, while the outdoor season runs from March through May and is open to both individual and team competitions.

For more information about the 4-H program and its shooting sports, contact the Effingham County Extension office at 754-8040.