Archery Games

Archery Games and Activities

Per BSA National Shooting Sports Manual

A variety of games or activities can be done using archery skills. Different ranges could be set up to play a particular game, or courses could be set up where archers go from station to station. Archery games and alternate activities work well, especially when archers are in camp for more than one day or if a council sponsors a special archery camp for Cub Scouts. 

Remember, any place there is an archery range and there is archery shooting, even when playing a game or activity, a qualified archery Rangemaster must be present. 

Shooting games are designed to improve shooting skills. Remember, safety is a must. 

The following activities and opportunities would be appropriate for Lion and Tiger Cub Scouts with their adult partners, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and AOL Scouts. 

Shooting Clubs

Shooting Clubs are awarded to Scouts who get all their arrows in a round into a certain color:

• Blue Club - getting everything within the Blue Rings (5 and better)

• Red Club - getting everything within the Red Rings (7 and better)

  • This is a significant accomplishment for new archers

• Gold Club - getting everything within the Red Rings (9 and better)

  • This is a huge accomplishment for archers and few will earn this at camp

• Gold 60 - getting everything in the center 10 ring

  • Gold 60 requires good technique and skill to obtain

  • It is rare to see someone earn Gold 60 (adult or Scout)

Shooting a Competitive Round 

When shooting a competitive round, an “end” is shooting six arrows at a target. A “round” is the total number of ends to complete the round. 

For example: An American round, in archery, a target shooting event consisting of five ends (six arrows each), shot from distances of 60, 50, and 40 yards 

Tic Tac Toe 

Place a Tic-Tac-Toe grid on a target back (You can use flip-chart paper to make the grid or put up nine separate sheets of paper in a 3x3 grid pattern.) Divide the group into two lines, and have them stand in a single file 20 feet from the target. Each team will alternate their archers. Each archer will shoot one arrow and step back. The second and each succeeding archer will shoot one at a time. The first team to get complete a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row wins. 

Wand Shooting 

Place a strip of 1-inch masking tape over the target face from top to bottom. A point is scored when an arrow hits the tape anywhere on the target. Divide the group into two lines, and have them stand in a single file 20 feet from the target. At the signal to shoot, each archer will shoot one arrow and step back. The second and each succeeding archer will shoot one at a time. The first team to get two points is the winning team. 

Balloon Bust 

Place a variety of balloons on a target mat. (They may be different sizes and colors.) Divide the group into two lines and have them stand in a single file 20 feet from the target. At the signal to shoot, each archer will shoot one arrow and step back. The second and each succeeding archer will shoot one at a time. The first team to break a set number of balloons is the winning team. 

Archery Practice Fun 

Any station set up for participants to practice skills can be fun for Cub Scouts. The archers have limited times to shoot arrows, so the opportunity to practice at a council camp or event is a great experience for them.