Lancaster Archery Academy Level 1 Coaching Class

Since the Lancaster Archery Academy was founded in 2013, we’ve believed in one major goal: growing the sport of archery. Shooting a bow and arrow is an activity that people of all ages and walks of life can participate in equally. Any serious athlete will tell you that to learn and succeed in something you must have a teacher. We recognize that not everyone can make it to our location for coaching. Keeping that in mind, we’ve made it our mission to offer stellar coaching education courses to allow others to spread the word about the sport we all know and love.

At our Academy, coaches will learn via a combination of classroom lecture, interactive discussion, and hands-on workshops designed to let everyone in the room share their knowledge with one another. Level 1 Instructors are prepared to teach beginner archery programs to people of all ages and abilities. The Level 1 Instructor will learn about range safety, range setup, the steps of shooting, and basic equipment and repair.

Course Content:

• How to set up a range, general range safety, whistle commands, steps of shooting and basic equipment repair

Benefits

• USA Archery Mobile Coach
• Qualified to be the lead Instructor for an Explore Archery Program
• Eligible for USA Archery insurance coverage. See USA Archery Insurance page for requirements.

Where: Lancaster Archery Academy, 2195A Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster PA, 17602

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9:00AM - 1:00 PM

Accommodations: breakfast items, coffee, tea, and refreshments compliments of Lancaster Archery Supply.

Prerequisites and Additional Charges: 

• Prior completion of USA Archery's Level 1 online course ($40 cost, paid to USA Archery)
• Once you have both signed up on our websiteand completed USA Archery's online course, use this link to confirm your registration with USA Archery. This additional no-cost registration will be required to receive your certification after the completion of your practical class
• Minimum age 15 
• If teaching youth in the state of Pennsylvania, PA Act 153 Background Clearances
• If working with a USA Archery-affiliated club, or if you desire to have USA Archery insurance coverage, USA Archery membership ($65) and a Range Pass are required as well

Certification Period: Three years

Information on PA Act 153

Pennsylvania Act 153 requires all paid employees and unpaid volunteers "responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children" to complete comprehensive criminal and child abuse background clearances. The Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) defines “direct contact with children” as “the care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children.” Unless you have already gone through the requirements of PA Act 153, any current background check that you may have from various certifications or third-party companies is not accepted by the state of Pennsylvania. Some of these clearances are free for volunteers.

Steps:

1. Child Abuse Clearance obtained through the Department of Public Welfare

This first link is to the PA Department of Public Welfare. They will complete the PA Child Abuse History check, and then you will receive a certification. You will also create an individual login, can check you status, and print your certification. Please choose the correct certification purpose.

2. Criminal History Record from the PA State Police (PATCH) System

This second link is to the PA State Police for a criminal background check. Click the option that says "Submit a New Record Check". You will fill in your personal information across a couple of pages. You may receive an email immediately, or it may take about 5 days for the state police to get your information. Results should come back within a couple of days in most cases. There is a $22 charge for this check paid to the State of Pennsylvania.

3. FBI Fingerprint screening (this does not include volunteers with ten year consistent PA residence)

This third link is to the FBI Fingerprinting registration page. VOLUNTEERS living in the state of PA for more than 10 years will not have to complete this section. If you don’t live in the state, or have lived here less than 10 years you will need to go through this step. When you get to the page, use the code “111VVQ”. From there, fill in your information. Once completed, please print out your receipt as you will need to take it to get your finger printing completed.