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NILES -- Local Girl Scout troop leaders are working hard to make up for time lost during the pandemic by focusing on their troops mastering new skills and in-person outings.
Girl Scout Troop 80008 of Howland spent several hours Sunday working on their archery skills.
Scouts in the Daisies and Brownies levels gathered at the Western Reserve Fish and Game Association, Niles, for the instructional hands-on program.
Troop leaders Heather Faber and Leanda Wonders-Bloomquist, both of Howland, said they're working to get the 14 Scouts, in 1st to 3rd grades, to different locations in the community this year after missing a year of in-person activities due to the pandemic.
New skills the girls have been learning are glass fusion making at Busy Bee at the Eastwood Mall, and Sunday's outing to learn archery skills.
"We do more than just crafts. We take the Scouts on an outing at least once a month so they can gain new skills. The Western Reserve Fish and Game is all about the kids teaching them for free archery and air rifles. They really take the time with the kids and help them," Faber said.
Wonders-Bloomquist said they take the scouts on nature hikes and participated in a weekend camporee for scouts at Camp Sugarbush in Vernon. The Scouts also helped at recent "trunk-or-treat" events for Halloween.
Certified archery instructor Dan Padula of Weathersfield said the most important part of instructing archery is simply to make sure the students are having fun.
"People in general learn better when they are in a lighter atmosphere," Padula said. "We want them to learn how to be safe while they learn to shoot."
The Scouts were using finger-release bows to learn how to hold the string effectively.
Sunday, the Scouts gathered in lines taking turns utilizing their new skills of shooting arrows at targets across the room.
Adyson Faber, 7, of Howland, said she learned what is most important is properly holding the bow and arrow before shooting at the target.
"Trying to hit the target can be hard to do sometimes," she said.
Gianna D'Andrea, 7, of Howland, said she learned when aiming the bow and arrow to make sure your fingers are in the right place.
"I like being in scouts because we get to do fun things like this," D'Andrea said.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com