Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) invites the public to support Alabama’s student archers and have family fun at the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) 2019 Alabama State Championship on April 4-5 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl located at 220 Hall St., Montgomery, Ala., 36104.

This year’s event will take place over two days and feature approximately 1,800 young archers in Grades 4-12 from schools across the state who earned spots in the state championship after competing in one of eight regional qualifying tournaments. These students will compete for the title of state champion and the opportunity to advance to the NASP Eastern National Championship on May 9-11, 2019, in Louisville, Ky.

The first round of shooting begins at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 4. An awards ceremony will take place after the last flight on Friday, April 5. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com/archery-schools/nasp-alabama-state-championship.

The public is encouraged to attend the Alabama State Championship and support the participants and enjoy the many fun activities planned for the event. There is an entry fee of $2 for spectators, which will be used to help fund a new college scholarship program. This year, ADCNR will be awarding up to $10,000 in scholarships.

The NASP is a joint venture between the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) and the Alabama Department of Education. NASP instills discipline and concentration. Participants also learn a life skill as part of a school’s physical education course or after-school program. Scoring is based on Olympic-style, target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Competition is on team and individual levels.

The state championship would not be possible without the generous sponsorships of the Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Morrell Manufacturing, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, Alabama Wildlife Federation, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

For more information about the NASP in Alabama, or the Alabama State Championship, contact WFF Hunter Education Coordinator Marisa Futral at 334-242-3620 or Marisa.Futral@dcnr.alabama.gov.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.