Please read this page in its entirety before completing the tasks listed at the bottom.
Club membership (the 'Who')
Q: Who is eligible to join the club?
A: As a student-run MIT club sport, our members include MIT undergraduate and graduate students, staff, alumni, and their spouses. Elegiblity is determined by the MIT Club Sport Program. Non-student members will need access to the MIT gym facilities to access the range. If you are a minor (17 years old or younger), you will not be able to join per MIT Rules for student organizations unless you are a minor who is a fully enrolled and registered student of MIT. Please see this link for more information.
Q: Hold up - I meant what archery styles does the club shoot?
A: Ah! Our members currently include compound, olympic recurve, barebow and traditional archers. The only restriction on archery style in the club is that the club does not allow broadheads (target points only).
Club Practice Logistics (the 'When' and 'Where')
Q: When does the club practice?
A: The club practice times are 2 hours on Mondays and Thursday evenings. The time moves around (+/- 30 minutes) as we share the space with other club sports. Email archery@mit.edu for our practice calendar and to join the mailing list for practice time updates.
Q: Where does the club practice?
A: The club practices in the Rockwell North Court on an 18m range. These are the indoor volleyball courts of the Z Center.
Q: What happens at practice?
A: Practice is 2 hours long, that breaks down approximately as follows:
- 00:00 - 00:10 Members set up the range (curtains, bales), members assemble archery equipment and warming up. One person is also wheeling over the cart full of club equipment to the range at this time. Members who are able to arrive early may also start setting up early if the Rockwell North Court is vacant.
- 00:15 - 01:45 The club aims to start shooting at 15 minutes past the start of practice time (00:15), with the last end taking place at 01:45.
- 01:50 - 02:00 Members put away the bales and disassemble equipment so that the next sports club is able to use the space.
How to join the club
Q: I read all of the above. So how do I join the club?
A: If you are eligible (see Q&A above), fill out this interest form. At the end of this form, you will be instructed to join a mailing list, which we will contact when an open practice is scheduled. If you are an MIT affiliate but not a currently enrolled and registered student, you will need MIT gym membership to access the range as the range is located within the Daper gym. You will recieve an email about upcoming Intro Practices when they are scheduled.
Q: How much does it cost to join the club?
A: There is a small fee (~10$) to sign up for one of the beginner slots on Intro Practice day, assuming you have access to the MIT Gym facilities. Full time registered MIT students have gym membership as part of tuition, all others see here for how to get membership. The club also has semesterly dues that go towards helping the club maintain club equipment. The Intro Practice fee is deducted from your first payment. There is no fee to borrow club equipment at club practices. Please talk to the club treasurer for more details.
Q: I have never picked up a bow before, can I still join?
A: Absolutely! However, you must come to an 'Intro Practice' first. These are typically held once a month during the semester and they are separate from 'Regular Practice'. At 'Intro Practice', time has been put aside to teach people the basics of archery including how to setup the bow and shoot safely. Please submit the interest form for more information on when the next Intro Practice will be held, and how to sign up for an 'Intro Practice' beginner spot.
Q: I have picked up the bow before, but it's been a while and I don't remember all the steps. When should I come?
A: Please come to the 'Intro Practice' for the full red-carpet introduction on how to safely setup the bow, safety etiquette specific to our range and an introduction to the club equipment. Emails with further details on to sign up for a beginner spot at 'Intro Practice' will be sent to those who fill out the interest form when Intro Practices are scheduled.
Q: I took the MIT Archery PE class. Should I still wait for the next 'Intro Practice' to start shooting with the club?
A: Yes, please wait until you are able to attend an 'Intro Practice'. You still need to be introduced to the club equipment and the club's specific safety rules. Fill out the interest form above for more details on how to sign up for a beginner spot on this day.
Q: I have shot archery before and have my own equipment which I am very familiar with and very comfortable setting up myself. Should I still wait until the Intro Practice?
A: Email the officers (archery@mit.edu) to discuss further and in the meantime, take a look at the page 'Range Info'
Wait, I still have more questions!
If you have other questions that have not been answered here, please email the club officers at archery@mit.edu. These emails really help the club to understand what questions the community has. The answers to more common questions will then make their way to this FAQs section. If the question is of a more sensitive nature and/or you would feel more comfortable asking in-person, please come by the end of one of the club practices to speak to an officer.