Archery

Includes: Indoors, Outdoors, Adventurous activities, Sport

Age:
7+
Sport
Print this activity pack

Aim, set, release

Use a bow to send an arrow flying through the air and feel the thrill of it hitting the target - once you've practised a bit!

Overview

Archery involves shooting at targets with a bow and arrow.

To take girls to an archery session, you'll need to find a reputable local provider with a qualified instructor.

Soft archery, where arrows are fitted with suction cups, is a great way to introduce archery to younger members. 

Fun fact: It's believed that bows and arrows have been used for at least 25,000 years.

Archery is an adventurous activity so you should follow the adventurous activity policy and procedures.

Approved: 13 June 2022
Version: 1.2
Content owner: Adventure team

Planning checklist

If you or another member of your leadership team is running the activity, follow these extra steps.

In your unit meeting place

  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed. Make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose. Check the equipment is suitably insured and confirm what would happen if there was any damage. 
  • Check you hold the relevant qualification, if one is needed, to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren't sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.

At an external venue

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know about any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your commissioner.
  • Check you hold the relevant qualification (if one is needed) to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren't sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the needs of your group.
  • Get any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.
  • Ask for a copy of the venue's safety guidelines and risk assessment.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Consider the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions and plan the session accordingly.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity, follow these extra steps.

In your unit meeting place

  • Check the guidance for having an external visitor at your unit.
  • Inform the external qualified adult of the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity that isn't being provided by the external qualified adult, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check any equipment you source or borrow is suitably insured and confirm what would happen if there was damage to the equipment. 

At an external venue

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your local commissioner.
  • Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

The lead instructor or supervisor must hold, at a minimum, the Archery GB Instructor Award.

Many outdoor activity centres will use in-house instructor qualifications. If you're not sure what's acceptable, or alternative qualifications are held, check with your outdoor activities adviser or contact [email protected] to make sure the instructor's qualification is suitable.

For soft archery (where arrows are fitted with suction cups) no qualification is required.

The instructor or leader (soft archery) should ensure the following:

  • The activity takes place in a designated area that is clearly marked out-of-bounds to all other people on site during the session.
  • Girls are clearly briefed on the shooting procedure, where to stand when not shooting and how to retrieve their arrows.
  • All equipment is the right size for the user and in good condition.

We also accept the Arrows Young Leader Award run by Archery GB. This is a special course to introduce archery using adapted blunt arrows.

  • With this qualification, a young member (aged 14 to 19) can run a session for members aged 7 to 11 using specific equipment.
  • The instructor will need to complete a site-specific risk assessment to make sure that it's suitable and safe and that no one can accidentally walk into the target area.
  • There will need to be adult supervision and equipment should be checked before each use.

The shooting area must be set up by the qualified adult or activity provider.

The ratios below are given as a maximum. These must be considered as part of the risk assessment. This may lessen due to any medical conditions, physical ability or other factors.

Leadership team ratio

As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team adult to child ratio is mandatory.

  • Rainbows: Not a rainbow activity - see soft archery.
  • Brownies: 1:8
  • Guides: 1:12
  • Rangers: N/A – with leader permission

Qualified adult/participant ratio

The qualified adult should determine what size of group is safe. There must be enough qualified adults to ensure the safety of all participants.

The number will be determined by any limitations placed on their qualification, permit or the rules of their operating organisation as well as the risk assessment. This should take into consideration the location, weather and experience of both the qualified adult and other participants. The leader should assess the risk and any concerns must be raised to them.

For soft archery where arrows are fitted with suction cups there is no requirement for a qualified adult, but the leadership team ratio must be followed.