Wolf Ridge Archery

Wolf Ridge Archery is a nonprofit shooting club that welcomes archers of any experience level—from first-timers to tournament competitors. No equipment or prior experience necessary. The club operates year-round at Camp Chestnut Ridge (4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Road, Efland, NC 27243), approximately 20 minutes from Chapel Hill, Durham, and Burlington, and 45-50 minutes from Greensboro and Raleigh.

• •Saturday practices: 3:00–5:00 pm (sign up by noon the day of practice)

• •Thursday practices: 5:30–7:30 pm during daylight saving time (seasonal)

Archers must pre-register for each practice using the club's online sign-up system. The club is currently open to members only.

Wolf Ridge's coaches support a range of shooting styles:

• •Longbow
• •Barebow
• •Olympic Recurve
• •Compound

The club supplies basic archery equipment and coaching. Due to hygiene considerations, archers provide their own finger tabs and arm guards—available for purchase from vendors like Eagle's Flight Archery, First Flight Archery, Lancaster Archery, Walmart, and Mace Sports. Coaches are happy to recommend equipment sources and discuss gear based on skill level and interest.

• •USA Archery Membership Required: After three visits, all club members must purchase USA Archery membership (starts at $20/year for recreational membership). This provides insurance coverage and competitive eligibility.

The club actively prepares archers for competition through:

• •USA Archery Achievement program instruction
• •Event preparation coaching (rules, etiquette, scoring)
• •Equipment lending (notify coaches 2 weeks in advance)
• •Access to competition calendars and event resources

The club points archers toward multiple archery associations and their event calendars:

• •ASA Archery
• •NC Bowhunters Association
• •NC Field Archery Association
• •NFAA (North American Field Archery Association)
• •USA Archery
• •NC Senior Games
• •State Games of North Carolina

Archery is a safe sport at WRA because the club enforces strict safety protocols:

Range Commands (Whistle System): - 2 whistles: Approach the shooting line - 1 whistle: Nock an arrow and begin shooting - 3 whistles: Place bows on stand and retrieve arrows - 5+ whistles: Emergency—stop shooting immediately

Core Safety Rules: - Obey all Range Captain commands (enforced 100%) - Always walk on the range - Use arm and finger protection (or release aid) - Keep arrows pointed toward targets - Shoot only at your assigned target - No horseplay, phones, or gum on the range - Closed-toe shoes required (no sandals, crocs, or flip-flops) - Long hair must be tied back; necklaces out of chest area - Excessively baggy clothing not permitted

• •Enforcement: Archers receive one warning for safety violations. Second violation = sitting out for the rest of practice. Third violation = barred from shooting for the remainder of the season.

• •Summer: Practices are outdoors. Archers should bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. If threatening weather develops before practice, the club sends email notifications (check before driving out). If weather occurs during practice, archers move to the Morris Center (Camp's dining hall).

• •Winter: The club monitors weather.com at 1:00 pm on Saturdays. If forecasts predict temperatures below 45°F between 3:00–5:00 pm in Efland, practice is cancelled. The club also monitors Orange County winter weather and flood warnings. Sign up for WRA Alerts to receive cancellation notifications.

• •Next orientation: October 18th (normally the 2nd Saturday of each month)

Orientations accommodate 6 archers: - First 2 slots: families (under 4 people) - Remaining 4 slots: individual archers

Requirements: - Minimum age: 8 years old - Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian - Complete and sign archery waiver form - Provide emergency contact information - Pay club membership fee - Review safety rules and acceptable clothing - Arrive by 1:45 pm on orientation day

Archers cannot shoot until all forms are completed and signed by parents/guardians as applicable.

The archery range sits across the causeway on the lake at Camp Chestnut Ridge. Follow Camp Chestnut Ridge Road through the camp gates, take the Y onto Campfire Circle, stay right and downhill toward the lake. Two main parking areas serve the field. The camp asks that archers park carefully—the facility uses the road for hay rides and equipment transport.

• •For directions help: Call Camp Office at 919-304-2178

Wolf Ridge Archery maintains an email alert system for schedule changes and cancellations. Subscribe to WRA Alerts to get last-minute updates—especially critical during winter weather season.

The club also maintains active social media and a membership portal for login, profile updates, and tournament information.