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For any questions call (484) 769-2431
Please call between 3 & 6 pm during the week.
Ask for Jerry
email: jbarletsr@gmail.com

Ontelaunee Youth Archery Program
Junior Archery

Jerry and his team of volunteer instructors are getting ready for the 2024.  These dedicated volunteers continue to run a first-class program by giving up their time and providing Free archery classes to the youth in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area.  The youth program is comprised of teaching kids aged 8 to 15, the fundamentals and safety of handling and shooting bows. This program is open to the general public and funded by the club and donations, and we thank Jerry and his all-volunteer team for their time and dedication to the youth and their love of archery.

The registration date and class dates are listed below under the schedule for 2024 season.

This program is limited each season to the first 80 students that register.

The Ontelaunee Youth Archery Program
Welcomes you to our New Indoor Range

In June of 2023, the club’s new 25-meter indoor range was completed and received it final certificate of occupancy.  With this, come January when the 2024 season next starts for the Youth Archery program, the kids will be learning and practicing in this new start of the art facility.

The Next Season Run’s January – March of 2024

2018 Barlet & Wengert Honored by Pennsylvania State Senate & House of Representatives

Jerry Barlet & Scott Wengert were honored to receive certificates presented by The Senate of Pa. and The House of Representatives of Pa. for their years of dedication to the youth archery program here in Lehigh Valley for over 2 decades now and hosted at the Ontelaunee Rod and Gun Club.   Barlet responded when asked, “we were honored to receive such recognition”.

Proudly Supports
The Youth Archery Program

Youth Archery Seasons

2024 Youth Archery Program Dates and Schedule:

  • Signup will be on January 6th from 9am till 12-noon
    • Children must be 8-years of age and can’t be 16-years of age before January 6th, 2023
  • Class Dates
    • January 13th, 20th & 27th
    • February 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th
    • March 2nd
  • Tournament and Awards Ceremony
    • The Tournament will be held on March 9th
    • The Awards ceremony will be held on March 16th starting at 8:30 am
    • If we have to cancel either the March 9th or 16th for weather, we will use March 23rd as the alternative date

If you have any questions’, please email Jerry at jbarletsr@gmail.com or call 484 769 2431

2023 Youth Archery Program Dates and Schedule:

  • Signup will be on January 7th from 9am till 12-noon
    • Children must be 8-years of age and can’t be 16-years of age before January 7th, 2023
  • Class Dates
  • January 14th, 21st & 28th
  • February 4th, 11th & 18th
  • March 4th
  • Tournament and Awards Ceremony
    • The Tournament will be held on March 11th
    • The Awards ceremony will be held on March 18th starting at 8:30 am
    • If we have to cancel either the March 11 or 18th for weather, we will use March 25th as the alternative date

If you have any questions’, please email Jerry at jbarletsr@gmail.com or call 484 769 2431

The 2022 youth archery classes came to an end this past March and we had a great year with the kids signing up.  We had to use the backup date for the tournament because of the snow on 3/12.

I would like to thank all the instructors for their support and giving up their Saturday to help out, without them, I would not be able to do this.   Thank you – Jerry

The awards ceremony went well.  We all had a great time and will be back next year to do it all over again.  Here are some pictures of the tournament and the awards ceremony.

The Youth Archery class was full again this year , we had 78 kids sign up this year. They had a great year learning to shoot a bow. They learned the safety of shooting a bow and the fundamentals that go with shooting a bow. The classes lasted 10 week at the end we put them groups to shoot for trophies,  they all received t shirts.I would like to thank all the instructors for all their help. The parents for their donations and support. We would like to thank the club for their support of the program. This year Scott Wengert and I were given certificates from The Senate of Pa. and The House of Representatives of Pa. for our years of dedication to the youth archery program and the Ontelaunee Rod and Gun Club. We were honored to receive them. Watch for our dates for next year.

Thank you

Jerry Barlet Sr.

Chairman

The Youth Archery class was full this year, we had 72 kids sign up. They learned the fundamentals of shooting a bow, also the safety factors that go with shooting a bow. At the end of the classes we put the kids into groups of their ability ,they would shoot for trophies. I would like to thank all my instructors for donating their time. The parents for all of their donations and support to the program. We also would like to thank the club for their support. If you would like to support the program you can purchase a license plate, information is on the web site.

Thank you

Jerry Barlet Sr.

Chairman

Ontelaunee Road & Gun Club
Youth Archery Program
Letter from a Parent

The following is a re-print of a letter the Club received from a parent whose child went through the club’s long established Youth Archery Program.

“Touching Lives”

“Sometimes God brings special people into your life that will have a huge impact on the person you will become.  Sarah and Pierson had that happen by a special teacher who poured into them the love of Christ and taught them all about the Character of God.  Over the years they continue to refer to things they learned from him.

A few weeks ago Cargan began on a journey that would shape his character.  He began archery lessons.  Now you have to keep in mind that he has limited strength and sensation in his left side including his left hand.  At times I also have to remember that the trauma from his early years in China will continue resurface from time to time.  When we signed up I wasn’t sure how well he could physically do it, but thought it was worth a try.  I also wasn’t sure if the teachers would know how to help him.  And that is where the story begins.

The first day there I shared with the teacher his limitations due to his cerebral palsy and he was so kind and helpful.  I walked Cargan downstairs and fear spread over his face, a fear I had not seen in over a year.  Trauma fear.  I was unsure at first what was triggering it but once he is there it is very hard to pull him out of it.  I watched something incredible happen that day.  I saw his instructor a complete stranger take my son who was holding back tears to smiles and even shooting an arrow with no one watching him.  I wasn’t sure if he would return the next week but on the way home we stopped at the archery store to pick up something Pierson needed and Cargan saw a little bow like the one he had used and he bought it with is Christmas money.  I guess he was going back.

Week two he reluctantly returned and as soon as he went down those stairs fear engulfed him again.  Once again this incredible man helped draw him out and had him laughing and even shooting a little with the others which was huge.  You see Cargan finally shared he didn’t want to shoot with the others watching him.  This was because he was so afraid of what they would say and do to him, drawing him back to the many memories he had of the way he had been treated as a person with a disability in a culture that look at is as a curse.  But he overcame that and Jerry his instructor stood and blocked the others view and encouraged him to shoot.  A smile spread across his face as he shoot behind the protection of this man.

This was week three and it was a day to remember! Cargan doesn’t like to get up early so he tried to pull excuses to get him out of going but once up he was excited.  I wasn’t sure what would happen when we got there but as soon as he saw Jerry he was all smiles.  The kids were called to go down and Cargan told me I didn’t need to go with him!!  That in itself was huge.  Then half way parents were invited to go down to watch.  I wasn’t sure if I should since he had went on his own but I went down to peak and their he was Mr. Confident shooting and now hitting the target.  At first he wouldn’t shoot unless Jerry was standing next to him but then Jerry slowly weaned away and their was my son overcoming one of his biggest fears shooting with all those kids and now also parents watching.  You know what he did.  He shoot his first ever bulls eye!!  His face was so full of joy and confidence.  It is a moment he will always remember.  I love how God connects people.  I am so thankful for Jerry.  He is a gifted man who can comfort a child full of fear and help them.  Believe they can really do something great.  This mama will be forever grateful!  I can’t wait to see what next week brings.

PS – more pictures coming once I get them from my friend.  She got one of the bulls eye.”