On May 3rd, 2025, nearly 100 determined youth archers gathered at the Central Michigan Sportsmen Club in Stanton, Michigan for the second 3D regional tournament of the season – and not even the chilly spring temperatures could dampen their spirits. As the horn signaled the start of the event, arrows soared down wooded lanes, striking foam targets and sparking smiles. Some archers enjoyed their first-ever 3D tournament while others enjoyed a long-awaited reunion with friends from past seasons. Camaraderie was in full force from the moment each archer stepped on the range regardless of the experience level.

Archers could be heard chatting with their coaches not about scores, but about goals. These weren’t just numbers; they were personal challenges, growth milestones, and opportunities to improve. In S3DA, it’s not just about where the arrows land, but how far each archer has come since joining the program.

Solid performances were turned in across the board. One highlight came from Lily Christensen, who raced up to her coach with her scorecard in hand, beaming with excitement after achieving a personal best. Others left with newfound insights and motivation, ready to refine their skills for the next event.

Perhaps the most inspiring part of the day was watching nerves turn into laughter and high-fives. New friendships formed quickly, and archers walked off the course with more than just experience. They left with confidence, memories, and a deeper love for the sport of archery.

Michigan S3DA State Coordinator, Cara Waite, reflected on the day, saying: “It’s always a joy to see our seasoned archers reconnecting and welcoming the newcomers. Watching those first-time competitors go from nervous to excited in just a few targets is something special. I’m so grateful for our dedicated volunteers, coaches, and parents who helped make the event run smoothly. I’m already looking forward to seeing what Central Michigan Sportsmen Club brings to the table for our upcoming state tournament.”

With community spirit, sportsmanship, and a whole lot of heart, this regional showcased what youth archery is truly about and it’s only the beginning of what promises to be an incredible Michigan S3DA 3D season. Visit the Michigan S3DA Facebook page to learn more about the program today!

About Scholastic 3-D Archery

Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) is a unique, family-oriented youth archery program which has grown exponentially across the United States as a next-step initiative to follow introductory archery programs. The mission of the Scholastic

3-D Archery program is to foster, educate and guide youth in the areas of 3D, indoor target, and outdoor target archery as well as safe, ethical bowhunting practices. The goal of the S3DA program is to provide archery and bowhunting opportunities to youth in after-school settings, as well as with archery-affiliated clubs and businesses in the community. S3DA youth participate in 3D and target archery using compound and traditional archery equipment. Youth members can participate at regional, state and national archery events and earn college scholarships from colleges and universities across the United States. S3DA addresses the need for a program to bridge beginning target archery experience and more advanced activities such as 3D shooting and bowhunting. The program currently operates across the United States with hundreds of certified coaches serving thousands of youth archers.

Contact the Scholastic 3-D Archery National Office at:

www.s3da.net or 410 Sycamore Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769, Ph: 606.524.3685

Media contact Kayla Bolton at kaylas3da@gmail.com, Ph: 423.494.2204