Practices
Practice Schedule
Beginning in February, practices are held indoors on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall in the McKee Building at The Ranch. In May, practices move outdoors on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at The Ranch. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Practice Locations
Exhibit Hall in the McKee Building at The Ranch
5280 Arena Circle
Loveland, CO 80538
Inside Gate 7, East of the McKee 4-H Building, Outdoors at The Ranch
5280 Arena Circle
Loveland, CO 80538
Outdoor practices are held in the grassy field east of the McKee 4-H Building at The Ranch. To access the area, travel on Arena Circle, cut in to the Service Road, drive to Gate 7, and the area is to the right.
Bring your chairs, sunscreen, water, etc. The bathrooms in the McKee 4-H Building will be accessible during practice.
Communication
We will use Remind to send alerts about cancellations and other important communications.
Text Messages – Sign up via Remind by texting @4HARCHERLC to 81010. Opt out of messages by replying unsubscribe @4HARCHERLC to the same number.
Email – Send an email to 4HARCHERLC@mail.remind.com. No subject is needed.
App – Available for your Android phone or iPhone. Choose “Join a class” and enter the class code @4HARCHERLC.
Please Note: Our Remind account will NOT allow members under the age of 13 to join.
Visit remind.com for details.
Practice Procedures
Preparation
Sign in. Everyone in attendance, not just members, must sign in and out of practices. This is how we make sure everyone is accounted for, and how we track your practice attendance.
Help set up the range.
Announcements (news, upcoming events).
Personal equipment set-up (bows on bow stands).
Stretching.
Line Commands and Behavior
Whistle Commands
Two Whistles – Collect your bow, step to the line, but do not touch any arrows.
One Whistle – Nock arrow and commence shooting.
Three Whistles – Stop shooting immediately. The line is closed. Return your bow to the bow rack and retrieve arrows.
Multiple Whistles – Emergency! Stop even if the bow is drawn. Let bow down.
Bow and arrow always pointing downrange.
Straddle firing line.
Vertical bow when loading arrow.
When retrieving arrows, if you missed the backer, raise the flag before going behind the target o If your arrow causes building damage, report it to a leader immediately.
Pull arrows one person at a time, look behind you before pulling the arrows.
Range Clean-up
Put personal equipment away.
Help tear down the range.
Attendance
A minimum attendance of four practices is required to be eligible to compete at the county competition.
Parents or adult guardians must attend and stay for the entire duration that their youth is participating in a 4-H archery event. It is important for all archery parents to learn along with the youth so that they may assist the youth with their projects and understand the reasons for procedures.