NASP® was co-created by the Kentucky Departments of Fish & Wildlife Resources and Department of Education and Mathews Archery, out of Sparta WI, in the late summer and fall of 2001. It was created to improve student attendance, behavior, and motivation. The program was launched in 21 Kentucky middle schools on March 3, 2002. Originally called the “Kentucky Archery in the Schools Program”, the effort’s goal was to enroll 120 schools and teach target archery skills to 24,000 students each year. Kentucky gave itself three years to achieve this goal. Within the program’s first year the 120-school goal was achieved and because of neighbor-state interest, “National” replaced “Kentucky” in the program’s name. NASP® also expanded its participation standards to include students in 4th-12th grade. Shortly afterwards NASP®was granted 501 c (3) non-profit educational foundation status. NASP® is overseen by an all-volunteer board of directors. Every state, province and country enrolled in NASP® has a “Coordinator” in charge of leading the program in their jurisdiction.
Eventually NASP developed partnerships with outdoor organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation. In 2003 the local River Valley chapter of the NWTF brought the idea to the Portage School District. The chapter through grants and fundraisers was able to provide all the equipment to get started. Now all they needed was school approval and an instructor willing to take up the cause. They got both in 2005 when Elementary PE teacher Julie Jordahl took NASP instructor training to prepare for that possibility. By 2006 NASP was up and running and the first gym class participation took place in May of that year. In 2007 Julie was able to form a small team of four shooters and found enough funding for them to attend the 2007 State Tournament. Two of those shooters shot well enough to not only qualify for the National Tournament that year, but also attend.
In 2008 the Portage Archery Club instructed approximately 35 students. When Julie left the program there were 130 participants involving grades 4-12. Julie was instrumental in getting the State tournament moved to make it easier for clubs throughout WI to attend. Under her instruction Portage Schools was able to qualify for State and Nationals every year she was involved. In honor of Julie’s accomplishments the Portage Archery Club decided to name their home archery tournament the “Portage on Target for Life Jordahl Classic”.
Today Portage Archery Club is still going strong under the direction of Portage Athletic Director Ed Carlson, the Portage Archery Club Board, current Head Coach, assistant coaches, marketing director, and numerous parent volunteers.