Kidding Around Greenville

Upstate Archery Academy is a family-owned business born from a simple spark: When their daughter took an archery class in 7th grade at Riverside Middle School, she fell in love with the sport. Her dad, Jack Williamson, became certified as an instructor and started coaching. When their daughter reached high school, they formed an archery team and started competing. Word spread through Greenville that Jack was a trained coach, and community members started requesting lessons.

After teaching from home and then partnering with the City of Greer to use their facilities, Shelley and Jack realized demand was too high. It took three years to find the right space—a former shooting range off Wade Hampton Boulevard that was perfect for conversion. They opened in 2023 and have been growing ever since.

Classes & Instruction - Youth archery classes (afternoon scheduling for school kids) - Adult classes (same afternoon timing) - Homeschool programs - Competitive leagues - Private lessons (one-on-one coaching) - Monthly open range hours

Special Events - Date night experiences (one-hour sessions paired with nearby dining) - Birthday parties (space for bringing your own food, full setup by experienced staff) - Corporate team events - Summer camps

Retail & Services - Full archery equipment shop - Bow repair and maintenance - Wide range of archery gear in stock

Off Wade Hampton Boulevard in Greenville, SC

Classes run in the afternoons to accommodate students and working professionals. Pricing varies by class type and event—check their offerings for details matching your schedule and budget.

This isn't a chain or a drop-in range. It's built by people who grew up in Greenville and know their community. Jack's coaching background and Shelley's event-planning experience mean instruction is solid and logistics are seamless. The space itself—purpose-built after careful selection—gives them flexibility for leagues, parties, and corporate events that a typical range couldn't handle.

"The family-owned business offers classes for adults, youth and homeschoolers, and leagues. You can do a one-hour date night here, which is just so much fun."

Whether you're a complete beginner wanting to try something new, a parent looking for an after-school activity, or a company planning a team outing, the academy makes archery accessible and fun.