Rapids Archery Club

I was looking for a place to take introductory archery lessons for almost five years and just wasn’t looking far enough. It’s not in Minneapolis, but it’s worth the trip if you have access to a car. Rapids Archers is a club in Andover that hosts beginner classes several times a year. The class that I am currently taking is once a week on Saturday mornings and is six weeks long. Four sessions in, I am really happy with the outcome. The ratio of instructors to students is at least 1:2 if not better depending on the week, and they are right behind you the entire hour and a half (almost all of which is spent shooting) offering feedback and dispensing advice. The first two weeks they spent the first 15 minutes of class teaching the basic form and how to hold your body and the bow, draw, and release. I’ve never picked up a bow and arrow in my life (no summer camp in my past!) and they made it very easy to learn. It is well worth the drive, which is about 20 – 25 minutes from NE Minneapolis on a Saturday morning. Expect both kids and adults in your class (you might be outnumbered by 8 – 10 year olds). This was a gift, but based on what they charge for membership and open shooting I am inclined to say that the fee is very affordable.