The Friday Finish - Archery Camp Bullseye - Teachers Join Forces - Helping Hands - Produce Support Needs
- Tim Crawford
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
August 8, 2025
First Archery Camp Scores Bullseye
On Saturday, August 2nd, Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) hosted its highly anticipated Archery Day Camp, bringing together 13 dedicated students ranging from 4th to 12th grade for a day of learning, connection, and growth. While many participants were returning archers, the camp also welcomed several new faces, creating an engaging atmosphere that celebrated both experience and fresh enthusiasm.
The day began with structured workshops in the gym, where students learned the fundamentals, including safety procedures, whistle commands, eye dominance, string bow techniques, and the critical 11 steps to archery success. Lunch included pizza and cupcakes, keeping the participants fueled and ready for the exciting afternoon ahead. The camp also featured fun activities such as balloon-busting games, a piñata challenge, and a fun selfie station with bow-and-arrow props, creating a day filled with joy and laughter.
A standout moment was the much-anticipated 3D target practice, made possible with the help of Dustin Allen, the archery coach at Pineville Independent School. His contribution of realistic 3D animal targets, including deer, bear, and turkey, was a highlight for many of the young archers.
Coach Dustin Allen shares,
"I really want to back Red Bird in making their mark in the NASP Archery scene."
Coach Kelton Adams adds,
"Dustin has been a great help and partner. He is also eager to assist us in organizing our inaugural tournament at Red Bird Christian School."
RBCS Archery Day Camp was made possible thanks to the dedication of our coaching team. Coach Pam Bolts and Assistant Coach Tasha Meadows, guest coaches from Tates Creek Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky, and Red Bird Coaches Kelton Adams, Kayla Smith, Cody Asher, and Troy Brandon Asher worked tirelessly to ensure each participant felt confident and supported.
Guest Coach Pam Bolt shares her enthusiasm by stating,
"As an established archery team, Tasha and l were truly blessed to have had the opportunity to be invited to support and help your developing team launch your first archery camp and kick off your season. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to work with such a sweet, well-mannered, and enthusiastic group of young archers. Red Bird archers showed impressive discipline, spirit, and potential. Seeing their excitement reminded us why we love this sport so much. We’re proud to support a team that clearly has heart, talent, and determination. We believe this team is going to accomplish great things on the archery range, and we’re honored to have played a small part in their journey."
This event was about more than just sharpening skills and introducing Red Bird students to the world of Archery— this event focused on confidence-building, teamwork, and community. Watching these students take aim and grow not just in ability, but also in spirit, serves as a reminder of the impact that programs like these have in shaping young lives.
Teachers Join Forces to Plan & Prepare School Opening
The beginning of a new school year brings a sense of excitement for students and teachers alike. This week was the time for Red Bird Christian School teachers to gather to catch up on summer trips and personal highlights, and make final preparations for the first day of classes on August 13th.
Principal Jennifer Wilder began staff orientations on Monday with introduction of new staff and new assignments for some returning teachers. Declining population in the communities served and staff departures have provided the opportunity to create additional staffing efficiencies this year in the elementary classrooms. There will be two grade levels in each classroom for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Sixth grade will be the only self-contained elementary classroom and will be taught by a new teacher, Morgan Sizemore. The high school wing is welcoming a new Social Studies teacher and dual credit proctor, Emily Napier.
New teachers and those coming from other career paths into education are being paired with Professional Learning Partners at RBCS. Principal Wilder explained,
“We have eight certified teachers, and we have eight teachers that are working towards their certification. It's a mentorship program. Our accreditation team has encouraged us to have a stronger onboarding program. We're investing in these teachers lives, and we're growing our workforce, which is what we say that we're gonna do!”
Patty Vance, now in her 38th year as an elementary teacher, will be teaching Appalachian Studies in the high school. Mrs. Vance will be sharing her life experiences and passing along her passion for the Appalachian region where she grew up to students.
Patty shared,
“I am especially thrilled to be teaching high school Appalachian Studies and sharing the rich heritage, culture, and stories of our region with my students. Each school year brings new opportunities to inspire, encourage, and guide students as they learn and grow.”
Catrina Osborne, a dorm parent since 2014 when the dormitories reopened, adds the duties of Dean of Students now that Gail Nantz retired from that position this summer.
Mornings have been filled with personnel orientations, OSHA and first-aid training, and work on the strategic planning goals tied to ongoing accreditation. Principal Wilder stated the importance of this work now saying,
“Curriculum mapping is a big part of the school improvement plan. One of our big goals that we have as a school is that we look at that triangle of planning, instruction and assessment, making sure that we are mapping out a strong plan that shows what we're teaching, how we're teaching it, and how we assess that it's been taught.”
RBCS teachers will report after lunch on Monday and put the final touches on classrooms in preparation for Back to School Night. Students and families will come to pick up schedules, find their new classroom(s), and talk with teachers about the goals and dreams for the 2025-26 school year.
Helping Hands
The Work Camp team from First United Methodist Church, Massena, New York made room in their vehicles this week to bring along school supplies, diapers and personal items to stock up the Baby Pantry and prepare for Christmas Assistance in Community Outreach. The 18-member team worked in the Middlefork community doing flooring repairs for a family as well as other volunteer duties.
Community Outreach also had hands on assistance this week from the River Valley Christian Fellowship Work Camp group. Volunteers from the Bourbonnais, Illinois congregation pitched in to help at the DeWall Senior Center on the Beverly Campus, rode along on the home delivered meal routes, worked in the food pantries and baby pantry on the Queendale Campus, and helped prepare the Aftercare space at Red Bird Christian School.
Our community was excited to receive fresh produce on Thursday that was picked up at the God’s Pantry distribution center in London, Kentucky. The potatoes and onions received yesterday are always needed by our families but the nice cantaloupes were a special treat!
Community Outreach does not have transportation funding budgeted to pick up fresh commodities without special support from donors. If you or your group would like to sponsor the unfunded pick up, email Tracy Nolan - tnolan@rbmission.org - for details about the monthly cost.