For Ethan, what began as a one-time summer camp experience turned into a passion, a practice, and a place to grow. And for his mom, it became clear almost instantly that The Quiver was something special – an opportunity not just for a new sport, but for focus, confidence, and connection.

“We were looking for summer activities,” Ethan’s mom recalls. “He had done Camp Adventure with Bentonville Parks & Rec the year before, and spent one morning learning archery at The Quiver. Almost a year later, when I asked what sport he wanted to try, he didn’t hesitate….archery.”

Ethan’s enthusiasm was unmistakable from his very first day at a Discover Archery summer camp. After just one session, he told his mom he wanted archery to be his sport. “He was instantly hooked,” she says. “He did another camp the next month, and we got him a membership. He’s been shooting multiple times a week ever since.”

A Sport That Sticks

For Ethan, archery has become more than a hobby. It’s a source of joy, discipline, and calm.

“I love that archery is a sport anyone can pick up and get good at with a little practice,” he says. “The first time I hit the target, it was pure joy. Hitting a bullseye feels like being a little kid at Disneyland.”

What stands out most about League for Ethan isn’t necessarily the competition. It’s the quiet determination. “Everybody wants to shoot the highest score, but behind that is a drive to do your best on every shot. Fine-tune your mechanics. Focus.”

That focus hasn’t gone unnoticed by his mom. “He’s had to learn how to stay calm and adjust when things don’t go perfectly – when the range is noisy, or the wind picks up, or he has to share a target. Archery has taught him how to control what he can control. That’s a pretty powerful life skill.”

Finding Community in the Quiet

The Quiver is more than a place to shoot arrows. It’s a space that celebrates effort, progress, and the unique way each archer approaches the sport. For Ethan’s mom, that variety matters.

“Not all kids are drawn to the same sports,” she says. “They need different things to try. I’ve seen our area grow so much, and I think The Quiver adds to that in a really meaningful way. It gives kids a place to feel successful in their own way.”

Watching Ethan progress, from earning achievement pins to placing third in his division during a national virtual tournament, has been deeply rewarding. “The pins he didn’t get on the first try were some of my favorite moments. Seeing him work hard, improve, and eventually earn them…that was a joy. And when he placed in that tournament? His reaction was unforgettable.”

A Sport That Grounds You

When life gets overwhelming, Ethan says archery helps bring him back to center. “It calms me down. It takes my mind off of everything else. All you’re focused on is putting your arrows on the target.”

His favorite targets are the classic ten-ring ones. “You walk up, see it, and think: yeah, it’s going to be a good day.”

For families thinking about trying archery, Ethan and his mom have the same advice: go for it.

“Try it out,” says his mom. “Maybe your kid loves it. Maybe they don’t. But either way, it’s a quality outdoor activity that you can do year-round. And the staff and community at The Quiver are just incredible.”

Ethan puts it like this: “Why not add a sport that’s relaxing? It doesn’t pile pressure on you. I want other people to find that kind of joy, too.”

Not every sport needs a stadium. For one young archer, all it took was a book series, a supportive family, and a trip to The Quiver to spark something special.

“I actually became interested in archery because of a book series I was reading at the time,” Maddy Lagle explains. “My dad signed us up for a Try Archery day, and I ended up doing better than I expected.”

That first visit to The Quiver set things in motion. Soon, she and her mom joined the archery league together – and quickly proved to be a strong team.

“I’m not a very sporty person,” she admits. “I’d tried a couple of different sports before, and I wasn’t very good at them. But now I’ve found something I love and am great at!”

For her birthday this year, she got her own takedown recurve bow. It’s her favorite kind of bow to shoot – lightweight, smooth, and easier to transport than a one-piece.

“The first time I shot it, I was surprised and pleased at how well it performed. Using The Quiver’s equipment was a great way to start, but having a consistent bow has definitely helped me improve.”

Still, it’s not just the gear or the scores that keep her coming back.

“What I love most about archery right now is the community. I’m not shooting as well as I’d like to this League, but I love hanging out with my mom at the range. The instructors and other archers are great people.”

That sense of belonging has made all the difference. After winning first place in the Fall League last year, her confidence soared.

“It was amazing. I’ve never considered myself good at anything physical before, but archery changed that. It’s really nice to have people supporting me the whole way.”

While she doesn’t follow Olympic archery, she’s found role models much closer to home.

“The instructors and fellow archers at The Quiver have encouraged me since I started and helped me improve. And there are a surprising number of young archers here—it gives me a standard to live up to!”

And of course, she adds with a grin:
“The Lord of the Rings movies have pushed me to hit the bullseye, in case I’m ever attacked by Orcs.”

Her message to other girls thinking about trying archery?

“It’s not as hard as it sounds. You don’t have to be big or strong. Getting good takes practice, but starting is the easiest thing in the world. At The Quiver, we definitely need more girl archers—I’m sure there are some people out there who’d be amazing if they gave it a shot. We can do it!”