By Eric Albrecht

Jamboree Co-Chairman

Every year on the first weekend in August, NBA members congregate in the Nebraska National Forest for a weekend of fun and hardcore bow shooting. The event this year will run from Thursday, August 1st to Sunday, August 4th.

We will have a registration table set up from Thursday through Saturday at the main picnic area. Please stop in when you arrive at the forest and sign in. Our volunteers will be happy to help you get signed in, hand you your registration button, and answer any questions you may have. The registration cost is a $30 flat rate, whether it is a family of five or one individual shooter, and whether it is for four days or one day of shooting, it is a flat rate.The registration cost covers the unlimited shooting at the 3D Ranges. It also includes the Saturday evening BBQ dinner and Kids’ activities. It does NOT include membership dues, camping, novelty shoot costs, or any activities paid to the forest. 

This is a MEMBERS ONLY event. If you are not a current NBA Member or your membership has expired, you need to join or renew. You can do that on our website or at the Jamboree Registration table.

During the event, we will have our amazing 3D archery ranges set up. On top of that, we will have competition shoots Friday and Saturday. At these novelty shoots, you can test your skills and compete against other skilled archers for your chance at winning a medal at our Saturday night awards BBQ.

When you want to rest your arms from all that shooting, there are a variety of things to do throughout the forest. Hiking trails and a fishing pond are some of our favorite attractions. There is poison ivy throughout the forest, so you may want to brush up on your plant ID skills. Located in the heart of the forest is the Middle Loup River which offers attendees a great area to go cool off in the heat ofthe day. You will find a lot of NBA members down in the river enjoying the water, good conversation, and an ice-cold beverage. Once again, the State meeting this year will be held Friday at 11:00 am.

As I write this article we are still unsure as to where our ranges will officially be in the forest. We are working with the forest service to find the best places to set them up. It is possible they will be in the same locations they normally are but we do not feel confident enough yet to put the information in this newsletter. Please check in at registration during the event and there will be maps and people there to inform all of you as to where everything is located. The Barnes family has generously offered us the use of their land to set up our novelty shoots and anything else we may want to set up there.

Family fun night will be on Thursday evening at the main picnic shelter. There will be treats and prizes so please bring the kids down there to let them partake in the fun. There will not be an outdoor movie this year. There will also still be a kid’s activity at the main picnic shelter on Saturday morning. So once again please bring the kids down there to enjoy a fun activity!

As always, we will have a barbecue picnic and raffle Saturday night located at the main picnic shelter in the forest for all attendees to enjoy. The meal is a free-will donation and there will be some great raffle items there, including the kids’ bow contest, for which points have to be earned not purchased. The winners of the competition shoots will also be announced and medals will be handed out to the winners. Bring your lawn chairs and come enjoy a good meal and stay for the fun!

We encourage you to make the NBA Jamboree a part of your summer plans and we look forward to seeing you all at this year's Jamboree!