CDFW News

CalNASP Celebrates Record-Breaking Year: 18 Schools Granted Archery Equipment in 2025-26

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:46:54 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is proud to announce that the 2025-26 school year marks the most California National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) grants awarded since 2005. During the 2025-26 school year, 18 schools across the state received archery equipment kits and training.

CalNASP brings the sport of archery into eligible California classrooms, offering students in grades 4-12 a unique opportunity to learn discipline, focus and confidence through an inclusive activity that welcomes all skill levels and abilities. Each awarded school receives a complete start-up equipment kit valued at approximately $3,800, along with hands-on teacher training and curriculum support to ensure safe and successful implementation.

"This record year reflects the growing enthusiasm for archery in schools and the incredible commitment of educators who want to provide students with new ways to connect with one another and find new ways to thrive," said Grace Vierra, CalNASP Coordinator. "This sport teaches patience, self-control and teamwork — skills that benefit students far beyond the archery range."

CalNASP continues to champion accessibility by offering adaptive equipment for students with physical disabilities, ensuring every student has the chance to participate. The program aligns with California’s physical education standards and can be integrated into core subjects like math, science and history, making it a powerful tool for engagement and learning.

In 2025 the CalNASP Equipment Grant was awarded to four California elementary schools, seven middle schools and seven high schools. These 18 schools span Title I campuses, rural communities, coastal areas and mountain towns, helping ensure the program reaches students from diverse backgrounds.

To qualify for CDFW’s CalNASP Equipment Grant, schools must obtain district approval to teach target archery during regular school hours as part of their in-class curriculum. In addition, they must submit a complete application packet during the grant cycle, which runs from mid-April through Aug. 1. Teachers implementing the program are required to earn an archery certification through CDFW before beginning instruction.

CDFW thanks all participating schools for helping make this year one for the record books. For more information about CalNASP and future grant opportunities, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/CalNASP or contact Grace.Vierra@wildlife.ca.gov.

* CalNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP™) — a nonprofit, international style archery program dedicated to providing students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to learn and participate in target archery.

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Media Contacts:
Grace Vierra, State Coordinator, CalNASP, (916) 708-8516
Jen Benedet, Assistant Deputy Director, (916) 903-9270

CDFW’s 2025-26 CalNASP Equipment Grant Application Period Now Open

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:53:00 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) is excited to announce the 2025-26 grant cycle is now open. The CalNASP Equipment Grant provides schools across California with full archery equipment kits, teacher training and curriculum support to help start in-school target archery programs.

CalNASP is a program designed for credentialed teachers to teach and integrate target archery into physical education or elective curriculum for grades 4-12. The program offers a unique opportunity for students to connect through a sport that welcomes all participants, regardless of skill level or ability.

Each year, CDFW grants 10-12 schools a full start-up archery kit that includes all necessary equipment to begin the program, around $3,800 in value. To ensure the program is implemented correctly, teachers participate in a comprehensive hands-on teacher training through CDFW prior to instructing students.

“There are many benefits of incorporating the CalNASP program into your school’s curriculum,” said CalNASP Coordinator Grace Vierra. “Students learn discipline, focus, self-control and become more engaged in the classroom.”

CalNASP promotes student inclusion by providing a sports opportunity where students of all backgrounds, skill levels and abilities can participate and thrive. Adaptive archery equipment is available for students with physical disabilities, ensuring true accessibility across the program.

Public, private, charter, continuation and special education schools across California are encouraged to apply for the CalNASP Equipment Grant. The program aligns with California state physical education standards and can also be integrated into core academic subjects like math, science and history, making it an exciting way to enhance the overall educational experience.

To qualify, schools must:

Receive district approval to teach target archery during school hours
Provide a space and credentialed teacher to teach target archery to students during school hours
Submit a complete application packet
Apply during the grant window, open from April 18 through Aug. 31.

For full application details and resources, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/CalNASP.

Media Contacts:
Grace Vierra, CalNASP Coordinator, 916-708-8516
Jen Benedet, Communications, 916-903-9270

CDFW Awards Record Number of Scholastic Archery Equipment Grants in 2023

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:32:51 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) will add 11 new extensions to its in-school target archery program for the 2023-24 school year. That’s a department record, since CalNASP’s inception in 2005.

CalNASP is a target archery program designed to be taught by credentialed teachers and delivered to students in physical education or elective classes in grades 4-12. The program provides educators the opportunity to engage with participants through a sport that is inclusive of all students, no matter their skill level or ability.

“CalNASP allows true inclusion when it comes to students being able to participate in a team sport,” says CalNASP Coordinator, Leticia Palamidessi. “The very nature of the program is set up so that schools of any size or capacity can offer their students the opportunity to be a part of a team, and I’m proud more schools and more students will have this opportunity this year.”

CDFW’s CalNASP Equipment Grant provides new schools with a start-up archery equipment kit, training on how to use the equipment and curriculum resources to begin target archery classes. Prior to 2023, the most equipment grants awarded in one year by CDFW were 10, totaling roughly $32,000 per year.

“Not only did CDFW award the most equipment grants in program history in 2023, they also garnered the largest applicant pool as well,” said Palamidessi.

In 2023 the CalNASP Equipment Grant was awarded to five California high schools, and six elementary/middle schools. Two of the schools teach a large percentage of unhoused or foster youth, while another has 10 percent of its students with a documented disability. Adaptive equipment is available for students with physical disabilities who wish to participate in CalNASP.

Public, private, charter, continuation, home and special education schools can all apply for and administer CalNASP. The curriculum is aligned to the State Physical Education Standards and offers standards-based activities from other subject areas, such as Math, English and Language Arts.

To qualify for CDFW’s CalNASP Equipment Grant schools must get district approval to teach target archery during school hours as part of their everyday, in-school lessons. They must also submit a full application packet during the grant application cycle which runs from Sept. 1-June 30. Teachers administering the program will have to obtain an archery certification through CDFW prior to starting lessons.

For more information and to apply for the CalNASP Equipment Grant email: Leticia.Palamidessi@wildlife.ca.gov

*CalNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP™)—a nonprofit, international style archery program dedicated to providing students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to learn and participate in target archery.

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Media Contact:
Leticia Palamidessi, State Coordinator, CalNASP