The multi-faceted Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) Programs introduces Mississippi's youth grades 4 through 12, to fastest growing Nationwide sport of target archery while enhancing their awareness of conservation as it relates to Mississippi's natural resources. As the student archer progresses through the AIMS programs, the graduating archer walks away with a better understanding and connection to the great outdoors. The AIMS programs are facilitated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and comprises of over 600 school teams with 6,000 student archers making archery the fastest growing school sport in Mississippi as well.
AIMS Programs
MSNASP Bullseye
MSNASP Bullseye
The National Archery in School Program (MSNASP Bullseye) introduces Mississippi’s 4th-12th grade student population to the sport of International-Style Target Archery and teaches kids the basics of archery as part of their in-school Physical Education curriculum and as an after-school team sport sanctioned by all Mississippi education organizations both public and private. The MSNASP Bullseye program is an indoor sport utilizing a Mathews Genesis Bow and 80cm bullseye targets at distances of 10 and 15 meters. The MSNASP Bullseye season begins in January and runs through April and culminates with the AIMS State Championship Series which encompasses 2 State qualifying events (North State and South State) in March, and the overall AIMS State Championships in April.
MSNASP 3D
MSNASP 3D
The National Archery in School Program (MSNASP 3D) introduces Mississippi’s 4th-12th grade student population to the sport of 3D (animal targets) Archery. The MSNASP Bullseye program is an indoor sport utilizing a Mathews Genesis Bow and 3D animal targets at distances between 10 and 15 meters. This program runs simultaneously with the MSNASP Bullseye program and culminates with regional events throughout the State just prior to the AIMS State Championship Series.
AIMS ALL STARS
AIMS ALL STARS
The AIMS ALL STARS Tournament which takes the top 24 male and female shooters from each of the grade level divisions (ES-grades 4-5) (MS-grades 6-8) (HS-grades 9-12) from the North and South MSNASP Bullseye State Tournaments for a total of 144 student archers. This event closes out the AIMS State Championships.
AIMS XTREME
AIMS XTREME
The AIMS Xtreme program introduces Mississippi’s Varsity students (grades 9-12) who have been participating in both MSNASP Bullseye and MSNASP 3D to more advanced archery platform introducing a legal hunting bow. The AIMS Xtreme program is an indoor program utilizing a Mathews GEN X bow and flat face animal targets at distances of 10 and 15 meters. This program runs simultaneously with the MSNASP Bullseye program and culminates with a State Championship that, in conjunction with the AIMS All Stars, closes out the AIMS State Championships. This program continues in the summer months (July & August) with a North and South Invitational Tournament.
AIMS X-TREME uses the new Gen-X bow with a 40 pound peak weight and is equipped with an adjustable sight, tunable arrow rest, peep sight, stabilizer, string loop, and a comfortable caliper style release aid.
The new AIMS EXTREME bow pictured above is loaded out with great terminal gear that is at home on the range or in the woods.
In capable hands, this rig is sufficient to take down a whitetail deer. This division will also introduce a new challenge for high school-aged student-athletes. The AIMS X-TREME program differs not only in the equipment from AIMS but also in the targets, which are durable animal-style target faces that are easily stored and transported, simplifying range setup for instructors and students. These targets fit easily on standard AIMS target bags, making the X-TREME program affordable for every school.
This is two of the six target faces used in AIMS X-TREME competition.
The format for X-TREME will follow the standard AIMS format: one practice end of five arrows for practice, followed by three scoring ends at 10 meters. Student-athletes will move to 15 meters and repeat the process with one practice end followed by three scoring ends. A perfect score of 300 is possible, and ties will be broken by the AIMS X-TREME protocol.
All competitors will use the same model and style of equipment. The picture below shows the equipment that is allowed for competition. Easton Genesis arrows are the required arrows, fletched with 3-inch straight vanes. The arrows must be full-length with glue-in points installed. Floor quivers are the only style of quiver allowed.
The AIMS Outdoor program which continues to advance the student archer’s experience for Mississippi’s Varsity students (grades 9-12) who have been participating in the AIMS Xtreme program with the introduction to outdoor archery with 3D animal targets simulating an actual hunting experience. The AIMS Outdoor program utilizes the MDWFP’s 3 shooting facilities (McIvor, McHenry and Turcotte) in the desire to increase awareness of the general public to what these shooting facilities have to offer their communities. The Mathews GEN X bow along with 20 3D animal targets strategically placed at unknown distances between 10 and 25 yards to create as close as possible, a real hunting experience for the student archer. The AIMS Outdoor program is a fall archery program with the North State Qualifying event held at the McIvor shooting facility in September, the South State qualifying event held at McHenry shooting facility in October culminating with a AIMS Outdoor State Championship at Turcotte shooting facility in November.
AIMS Outdoor North State Qualifier
September 24th, 2024
"Complete"
AIMS Outdoor Series 2024
AIMS Outdoor South State Qualifier
October 22nd, 2024
Check-in 8:30 to 9:30
Shoot begins at 10:00
Location:
McHenry Shooting Facility
1060 East McHenry Rd.
Perkinston, MS 39573
***Registration Deadline: 10/16/2024
MSNASP® Bullseye In-school lessons must be taught by a MSNASP® certified Basic Archery Instructor (for a minimum of 10 hours) during the school year, as a part of the in-school curriculum. Lessons taught outside of the normal school day or not in a class do not count as in school lessons and are considered after-school Sports or Activities. In addition to strengthening our perfect safety record, the MSNASP® in school requirement encourages schools to become a part of MSNASP®, enabling the safe introduction of archery for a greater number of students. The most common current delivery of the in-school MSNASP® lessons are provided in physical education classes; however, this is a local decision regarding where the lessons are provided. In-school lessons should include students that are not part of a secondary after-school program. In most cases the number of students attending in-school lessons would be greater than the numbers for the after-school group. Annual online reporting of in-school instructional hours and the number of students involved is mandatory for each MSNASP® school. Reporting is to be completed by the in school BAI instructor(s) that presented/taught the in-school lessons at each MSNASP® school and is required to maintain an active BAI certification and is required for that schools’ eligibility for Post Season play (The AIMS State Championship Series-NASP Nationals).
This eight-hour training program equips P.E. teachers and school personnel with the skills needed to become MSNASP certified Basic Archery Instructors.
Eligibility and Training:
Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
Candidates must be school faculty or designated para-professional.
Completion of the MSNASP Instructor Training Program is required.
Candidates need to pass the practical assessment and score a minimum of 80% on the written exam.
Maintenance of Certification:BAI Training staff
Instructors are required to teach at least one course annually or retake the certification course to remain certified.
