Let the arrows fly: Merced archery class takes off

A group of 19 students got the chance to learn the sport of archery this week from a Merced College for Kids teacher. Dennis Taylor has been teaching archery to students ages 7 to 14 at Merced College since 2002. The 42-year-old said this week’s four-day Easter archery class was the first offered during the spring. “The kids had a really good time,” Taylor said. “As long as the kids are having a good time, I’ll keep coming out and doing it.” Taylor, who’s lived in Merced since 1997, got introduced to archery by his dad when he was 14. He fell in love with the recreational side of the sport. “I didn’t care for the hunting part of it, but I liked the recreational and competitive part of it,” he said. The classes teach students the basic procedures of the archery range and shooting techniques, he said. It also teaches them to be focused and disciplined. Taylor is considering starting classes for adults. For more information or to sign up for a class, visit www.archerybydennis.net or call (209) 485-0581.

This story was originally published April 9, 2015 at 7:01 PM with the headline "Let the arrows fly: Merced archery class takes off."