History of Archery

 Here we are with another installment of our History Blogs! This one will focus on the history surrounding Archery as an activity here at Camp Foley! Archery has been around since the beginning of Foley History and is very popular still today! Check out how Archery has changed over the years...

1940s

This is the decade where we first see pictures of campers shooting archery at Camp Foley. The range as we know it looks a bit different in these old pictures. The boys are using wooden bows and rtin cans to keep their arrows up right while shooting. 

The range has changed a lot

1950s

Not a lot happens in the 50s to change Archery, but it definitly happened. In 1953, Archery area cleared and the building added for storage. 

1960s

Here we are in the 60s! In 1961, Field Archery is introduced properly and there is one designated place to shoot bows. 2 years later, improvements are made to the Archery shed. Then next year in 1964, 6 new bows are purchased for the campers. In 1965, target dollies/carriers are purchased $117.00, and a back drop net is set up at the back of the range to stop arrows. Finally in 1966, the target archery range is doubled in size, with an established permanent firing range.   

Check out the old Archery sign!

These are some old targets

1970s

Stepping into the 70s, girls can finally be seen shooting on the archery range! Other than a whol enew demographic coming to camp, new bows are purchased in 1971. 

Check out this old target

Campers making their own arrows, should we bring this back?

1980s

Nothing new is recorded for Archery in the 80s, but look at these kids shoot!

Nice Shot!

1990s

And we made it to the 90s! A few small changes happen and the range slowly starts to look like we know it today. In 1995, New archery targets are purchased. Years later in 1998, new games take archery off of the range and onto the soccer field for a time! And at the end of the decade in 1998, 5 moveable targets replaced on the range, 

Hand drawn targets!

2000s

Almost at the end, coming into the early 200s! In 2002, new bows, arrows, and target faces are added to Archery. A year later in 2002, the outside storage center for targets is built, no more wet targets! In 2004, we brought back field Archery will return for Foley’s 80^th anniversary. Also that year 20 recurve bows are purchased. Then in 2009, deer, antelope, javelin, and 10 point bull’s eye targets are added to give campers a variety of things to shoot at. 

Peek the deer in the back!

Sitting "Pretty" waiting to shoot

2010s

We have arrived to the present day! A few last things are added to complete the archery range as we know it. In 2013, new 3 dimensional animals (Zombie,  Mini Polar Bear, Giant Mosquito, Stegosaurus, Badger, , Poison Frog) are added and the old ones are retired to the paintball fields. In 2018, new recurve bows are purchased. And that's all there is folks! Archery has always been a staple activity here at camp and we don't expect that to change anytime soon.

Dino-Mite archers!