11-year-old Lucy Almgren prepares to shoot her arrow at the 2024 Minnesota Get Youth Outdoors Day.

Youth Archer Excels with Ambition, Heart and Passion

While Minnesota’s Get Youth Outdoors Day served as an introduction to outdoor activities for many youth participants, Lucy Almgren brought a wealth of experience to Wild Marsh Sporting Clays on Sept. 8.

Hunting and archery have been significant in the 11-year-old’s life. Lucy spent time in goose and duck blinds growing up and took a week-long Colorado antelope hunting trip with her dad in the mountains in 2023.

Lucy and her dad enjoy time spent hunting together on their 2023 week-long Colorado antelope hunt.

As for archery, Lucy was inspired at four years old by Princess Merida’s bowmanship in Disney-Pixar’s film Brave, which sparked her passion for archery. She worked her way up from toy bows to joining the Foley Elementary National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) league as a fourth grader.

Lucy’s scores progressed from 66 at her first meet to 229 by the end of last season. Foley Elementary, which is 10 miles north of Wild Marsh Sporting Clays, Inc., took first at the Minnesota State NASP Tournament that same year. Lucy won the team’s anchor award that is given to a shooter who is coachable, a team player, and represents grit and heart. She topped her score this year as a fifth grader with a personal record of 253.

“As a parent, it’s fun to watch your kids do what they love and are good at,” Lucy’s mom, Stacy, said. “We are lucky to have such great sports and amazing coaches in Foley. Shooting sports not only teach you physical strength, but most importantly mental strength. She has learned how to focus and reach goals through archery.”

Lucy showcased her archery skills at Get Youth Outdoors Day, but she also had an interest in learning about trap shooting. Earlier this summer, Lucy attended the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association gun safety camp, where she earned her gun safety permit and experienced a range of activities from rock climbing to kayaking. Lucy hopes to join her school and summer youth trap leagues when she turns 12.

“When I saw the Get Youth Outdoors Day at Wild Marsh, I knew instantly Lucy and her sister Lindsey would love it,” Stacy said. “We will definitely be returning next year and will be bringing some friends with us too! It was an amazing experience. Thank you to all of the awesome volunteers. It was a day to remember.”

Lucy showcased her archery skills and gained experience in other shooting sports at Minnesota’s Get Youth Outdoors Day.