Archery is unique in that it combines sport and handicraft. It offers interesting exercise, competitive play and makes hikes doubly interesting. As a handicraft project, the making of bows and arrows is well within the abilities of boys and young men. Bow staves may be bought in the square or so shaped and fashioned that very little work is required to turn them into excellent bows. Arrow materials, too, may be had in various stages of finish, so that making a set of decent arrows is not too much work.
All camps have a building or part of the mess hall or recreation room set aside for handicrafts.
Facilities for those who wish to make bows and arrows can easily be provided. For making arrows you need a couple of small flat containers for mixing glue, assorted paint brushes and enamels for decorating the arrows, some large headed pins for holding feathers in place on arrows, scissors and penknives. Ten or fifteen years ago, it was rather difficult to find councillors who knew anything at all about archery or the making of bows and arrows. Now, among those who go in for camp work, the archercraftsman is not a rarity. Making archery targets is a project that will save money.