Hunter Safety- Archery (ages 10-13)

A Bryant Pond instructor coaches a camper as he practices shooting a compound bow during Hunter Safety Archery.

Patience. Skill. Confidence. Build the foundation to become a responsible bowhunter.

Hunter Safety Archery is designed for young people ready to develop the patience, skill, and knowledge that are part of becoming a safe and responsible bowhunter.

Offered in cooperation with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, this weeklong program combines Maine’s Archery Hunter Safety curriculum with hands-on outdoor learning and the full Bryant Pond summer camp experience.

Skills for the Bowhunter

Successful bowhunting takes more than learning how to shoot. Throughout the week, campers build their archery skills while learning about responsible hunting, safety, and decision-making in the outdoors.

Hands-on learning includes:

  • Safe and responsible archery equipment handling
  • Archery skills and shooting techniques
  • Hunter responsibility and ethics
  • Camouflage and concealment
  • Treestand safety
  • Shot placement
  • Landowner relations
  • Survival and first aid
  • Map and compass skills
  • Outdoor safety and preparedness

Crossbow safety is also included as part of Maine’s Archery Hunter Safety curriculum.

And because this is summer camp, the experience goes beyond hunter education. Campers also enjoy traditional Bryant Pond activities such as swimming, hiking, paddling, and exploring the woods and waters surrounding camp.

Camper practices shooting a compound bow during the Hunter Safety Archery program at Bryant Pond.        Camper demonstrates the proper technique for safely removing an arrow from an archery target during Hunter Safety Archery at Bryant Pond.

Dates & Registration

Ages: 10–13

2027 Program Dates:
Week #4 (7/18/27 – 7/23/27)
Week #8 (8/15/27 – 8/20/27)

Cost: $795.00

Scholarship Opportunity for Maine Residents

Through grant support from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, scholarship assistance may be available to eligible full-time Maine residents participating in Natural Explorer and other qualifying Bryant Pond programs.

No separate scholarship application is required. Families should complete their camp registration and pay the required deposit to secure their camper’s spot. Eligible participants are identified as registrations are received.

Because annual grant funding is typically finalized in the spring, eligible participants may initially be placed on a scholarship waiting list until funding is confirmed. Scholarship funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

This scholarship may be used only once per child, regardless of which qualifying program they attend.

Register for Hunter Safety Archery

Because the University of Maine defines firearms and archery equipment as weapons and has a strict weapons policy for the safety of all, and for liability and insurance reasons, camp program participants are asked not to bring their personal shooting sports equipment to Bryant Pond 4-H Camp & Learning Center without prior authorization from the Camp Director or the Maine 4-H Shooting Sports Program Coordinator. The 4-H Shooting Sports instruction team at Bryant Pond is very familiar with the wide variety of equipment here and competently provides complete instruction in the shooting sports discipline programs that we offer.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife LogoIn cooperation with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.