(JEFFERSON CITY, MO March 7, 2025) – The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) is pleased to announce Bass Pro Shops as the returning exclusive presenting sponsor for the 2025 Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Archery Championship, March 19-22 at the Branson Convention Center.
Bass Pro Shops has been a longtime supporter of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and MoNASP, impacting millions of young sportsmen and women across North America. Resuming its support of the MoNASP State Archery Championship, Bass Pro Shops is continuing the commitment to invest in youth and introduce new audiences to the outdoors.
“We are excited to continue our support for the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and the State Archery Championship,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder. “The National Archery in the Schools Program has a long and proud history of introducing young people of all ages and backgrounds to the outdoors and this growing sport, and it’s rewarding to see these youngsters get to celebrate their accomplishments on a big stage.”
In addition to their sponsorship, Bass Pro Shops will have an archery shooting lane for attendees to test the 2025 Bow of the Year, the Blackout Intrigue XST Compound Bow Package. This is a great opportunity for attendees and archers to talk to the experts while at the tournament. Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is also returning to the state tournament with live animal encounters.
“We thank Bass Pro Shops for returning as the exclusive presenting sponsor at the MoNASP State Archery Championship in 2025,” said MCHF Executive Director Tricia Burkhardt. “Without the support of our incredible partners, this event would not be as impactful for our youth. We are thrilled to continue working alongside Bass Pro Shops as we connect new audiences to the outdoors and outdoor recreation.”
Over the last 16 years, the MoNASP State Archery Championship has seen tremendous growth and is the second-largest state archery tournament in the nation. More than 5,500 student archers throughout Missouri are expected to compete in the state tournament after shooting qualifying scores through various local MoNASP tournaments. These and other NASP student archers will be eligible to participate in the NASP national tournament. Learn more at nasptournaments.org.
Supporters are invited to attend the state tournament for an admission fee that supports youth conservation efforts. In addition to the tournament competition, the event will include a variety of family-friendly activities for attendees such as:
- Bass Pro Shops archery shooting lane
- Archery games
- The 2025 MoNASP Raffle supporting youth outdoor programs
- A scavenger hunt
- A tradeshow with vendors from many different industries, including hunting, bow strings, bows and bow accessories
- And more!
The MoNASP State Archery Championship has been hosted in Branson since 2017. Branson provides a great vacation spot for traveling families and a safe location for archers to compete. Summer 2024, MCHF, MDC, the Branson Convention Center and Explore Branson announced the MoNASP State Archery Championship will return to Branson in 2025, 2026 and 2027 through a three-year contract.
MoNASP is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), MCHF and the Conservation Federation of Missouri in partnership with more than 640 actively participating schools and numerous supporting organizations throughout the state. More than 84,700issouri students are in the program. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) and is an in-school program for grades 4 through 12 that teaches the basics of archery, along with the confidence, self-control, patience and discipline necessary to success both behind the bow and in school and life. It provides an engaging activity that’s inclusive of nearly all children, regardless of age, size, or physical ability. Statistics show that school archery programs improve participants’ school attendance, increase their self-esteem and physical activity, and help get kids outside. Learn more about MoNASP at education.mdc.mo.gov/monasp.
For more information on state tournament activities, contact Anna Burns of MCHF at 573.356.0750 or anna.burns@mochf.org.
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About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops, North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company, was founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris started selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. That was the company’s sole location for the first 13 years, and it has since grown to nearly 200 retail locations throughout North America. Today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Newsweek as “America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear.”
About MCHF
MCHF is a nonprofit, charitable organization that helps meet financial needs placed on natural resource conservation and conservation-related outdoor recreation including fish, forest and wildlife. Since our founding in 1997, we have allocated over $27 million for conservation funding statewide, plus $13.3 million to the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems. MCHF continues to invest in projects like migratory bird programs, youth hunting and fishing events, and endangered species habitat protection. MCHF supports the state’s nature centers, as well as hiking and wildlife viewing activities – anything that allows Missourians to enjoy the outdoors in urban or rural areas.
About MDC
MDC began in 1937, when citizen-led efforts created the Department of Conservation to restore, conserve and regulate Missouri’s over-stressed fisheries, forests and wildlife populations. During the first 40 years, hunting, fishing, and trapping permits provided most of the department’s funding, but in 1976 an expanded program, the “Design for Conservation,” was passed to set aside one-eighth of one percent sales tax directly to the agency. That consistent funding, plus a strong, non-political structure and very supportive public helped make Missouri a national leader in conservation. Today MDC continues its legacy of protecting the state’s wild resources and helping Missourians connect with their natural heritage. MDC works to protect and manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state, and facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources.
