The Cedar River Archery Club will host free archery sessions for area kids every Wednesday, beginning this week.

The free events are the second phase of the National Archery in the Schools Program implemented this year in Blooming Prairie schools, said Casey Hatch of the archery club.

The free summer program will be offered to all kids over 10 years old on a drop-in basis every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m. this summer for about six weeks. Parents are also welcome to stay and participate or drop their kids off.

“We’re just calling it a ‘fun shoot,’” Hatch said. “We want to introduce kids to this sport who otherwise don’t know about it.”

This year, Blooming Prairie High School received new archery equipment through the National Archery in the Schools Program, and donations from the Albert Lea chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association, Mower County’s Habitat & Pheasants Forever, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Mathews Inc.

“The intent was that the equipment could be used by kids outside of Blooming Prairie too, that we’d expand it to all area kids,” Hatch said.

Hatch said students in the program in other schools have shown improved grades and an increase in social activities. He said he hopes the program will eventually expand into other area schools.

“It’s something kids can do to stay out of trouble this summer,” Hatch said. “Archery is also a good option for kids who might not be into football, or track. They might find an interest in this.”

For more information on the National Archery in the Schools Program, go to archeryintheschools.org.