Taking Aim
BAM Archery Program Teaches Self-Discipline
By Paul Slomski, WSC Contributor
Becoming A Man (BAM)- Sports Edition is providing young men throughout Chicago with a tremendous opportunity to stay focused and take aim at the bulls-eye. World Sports Chicago and Youth Guidance are offering 7th thru 12th graders a unique combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure to non-traditional sports, all in an effort to help at-risk boys find constructive ways to channel their energy and to develop the self-esteem and confidence needed to face the challenges and pressures that come their way.
Lives On Target, is a not-for-profit corporation established by its parent company Archery Education Resources. Lives On Target is dedicated to providing archery education resources, program development and support of competitive archers. They have teamed up with World Sport Chicago to deliver archery instruction in four Chicago Public Schools this year as a part of the BAM program. Kim Hannah, Lives on Target Executive Director says archery works well with the BAM concept because “Archery is a repetitious sport that demands and develops self-discipline.” The sport also helps students increase their sense of personal responsibility and self-discipline by adhering to and respecting rules and authority. Hannah points out if one archer violates a safety rule, the whistle blows and no one gets to shoot, “they have learned to hold each other accountable.”
Non-traditional sports like archery often levels the playing field for all participants since it is usually the first time they have been exposed to the sport and traits necessary to succeed in traditional sports, like size or speed, don’t translate to archery. One of the goals of BAM is to get at-risk kids into a structured schedule and provide them with a focus. Students in the BAM program aren’t as intimidated to participate and try archery and stick with it. “Teachers work hard to keep the excitement up and the kids coming back every week,” said Hannah.
Claudia Stevenson, Founder and President of Archery Education Resources, is passionate about providing opportunities for kids to discover and learn archery. She is hoping BAM will continue in the Fall of 2010 but knows a consistent funding source must be secured in the near future. “Archery works well with these kids, they learn to relax and focus for short bursts of time. It’s just them and the target, providing instant feedback, with no one else to blame,” exclaims Stevenson.