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On Target reaches out to Canfield students through hunting, shooting
By christine keeling
canfield
Some Canfield students aim to have a good time after school.
Fifteen students practiced their archery skills Thursday in the Canfield Middle School cafeteria. The after-school program is hosted by On Target Outfitters, a faith-based non-profit organization that uses hunting and shooting sports as a way to reach out to young people.
Steve Scott, founder and director of On Target, said he started the program because of the influence four members of a church gave to him after his parents divorced.
“They took me in and showed me family life,” said Scott about his mentors. They also helped him develop his hunting skills, he said.
Scott was a youth pastor for 14 years and is a certified archery instructor through the National Archery in the Schools Program.
He established On Target in 2008, which offers not only the after-school programs but summer day camps, Boy Scout merit badges, conservation projects and mentoring opportunities for students who want to hunt but do not have anyone to take them.
The organization is mobile and goes to various schools, including Western-Reserve, South Range, Jackson- Milton and West Branch.
Scott hopes to have a year-round range opened some time this winter in Boardman.
Seventh-grader Amber Franklin said she joined the program last year because she wanted something to do to get her mind off her grandmother’s illness.
“When I focused the arrow at the target, it felt like all my troubles went away,” said Amber.
“It’s the rush of the arrow hitting the target and believing in yourself that you can do it.”
The middle school’s cafeteria had several targets, and students took turns trying to hit folded dollar bills. The archer with the most hits won the money.
“We have fun,” said sixth-grader Zach Signore. “You don’t get to do this every day with someone like Steve; he’s a really good role model, and he comes up and helps you.”
During the program, students learn the science and history behind archery as well as how to take some of the principles of archery and apply them to life.
“When you release an arrow, you can’t take it back,” said Scott. “Just like when you say something, you can’t take the words back.”
The archery program is open to students in first through 12th grade and to children with disabilities.
Archers from Canfield have been meeting at the school Mondays and Thursdays for four weeks.
A tournament for all local students who have participated is planned for January at Western Reserve Middle School.
Donations from Bob and Chuck Eddy of Austintown help support On Target’s programs.