Kansas has a wealth of archery club opportunities across the state to satisfy the needs of archers of all ages and abilities. Within the city limits of Wichita, it is possible to find facilities that offer everything from bow-hunting to indoor 3-D target ranges. For those wishing to participate in leagues or competitions such as the "Sunflower State Games," clubs in the area can provide the necessary information about entering and can instruct archers to help them reach their goals.
Local Clubs
Wichita Archery Inc., Diamond Archery Club and Wichita Shooting Stars JOAD are the primary archery clubs in the area, with Smoky Valley Archers and Salthawk Archery Club just a few miles up the road in Lindsborg and Hutchinson, respectively. The YMCA offers archery for children during summer camp programs at Camp Hyde. However, the "Y" does not offer archery as a program or class to the general public.
Wichita Archery Inc.
Wichita Archery Inc. has an outdoor facility with a 14 target walk-through range and holds 3-D tournaments during from January through September on every second Sunday of the month. Hunting on this range is prohibited. Its Junior Olympic Archery Development program meets on Saturdays at the range, east of the practice range. Lessons are available for children and adults.
Diamond Archery Club
Diamond Archery Club offers instruction for all skill ranges and carries brand name equipment and has qualified technicians. Its indoor range has 3-D targets, and video-simulated archery is available. Three separate league competitions are available to members. They include a 3-D league, a spot league and a traditional league.
Wichita Shooting Stars JOAD
The Junior Olympic Archery Development program, or JOAD, is a club for children to develop their skills and learn about archery. Certified by the National Archery Association, the staff instruct children to improve as archers, offering classes featuring a wide range of activities dedicated to developing techniques, mental fortitude and building character. Children can only participate when a parent or adult sponsor is in attendance for support. There is also an adult-oriented senior training program. Classes are regularly Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings. Equipment is provided, unless archers wish to bring their own. The location of the Wichita Shooting Stars JOAD changes with the weather. To locate the shooting site, call in advance. Information about this club and contact numbers can be found in the Resource section.
Archery Community in Kansas
Salthawk Archery Club is a non-profit 3-D target club based in Hutchinson, Kansas. The range consists of a 10 through 15 yard target range, two towers and 15 target butts spread throughout a variety of trails. Directions to the club can be found on its website. A link is in the Resources section.
Smoky Valley Archers is a non-profit organization. Members have access to practice ranges with 3-D targets and bag targets.
The Sunflower State games archery page lists the events, the competition format and information about how to enter the 2011 Sunflower State games for the archery category, as well as FAQs, rules, volunteering and lodging information.
As of 2010, Wichita Parks and Recreation had had a summer activity program for children running from late May through to early August which included archery. It is worth keeping an eye on its site.
Archery Shooters Association is based in Georgia and lists current clubs, tournament information and other archery-related news topics.
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