On June 11-14, the North Marcum Recreation Area at Rend Lake, Illinois came alive with the sights and sounds of youth archery as approximately 550 archers representing 106 teams from 18 states gathered for the 14th Annual Eastern 3D National Championship. From early mornings on the range to the final arrows of the day, the weekend showcased not only competition, but the community and experience that defines S3DA.
S3DA extends its appreciation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, Rend Lake Area Tourism Council, Rend Lake Conservancy District, and Rend Lake College for their continued support in helping make the event a success. Rend Lake continues to be a favorite destination for S3DA families, offering numerous recreational opportunities both on and off the ranges.
Cassie Magsig, Natural Resources Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake, said, “Preparing for this event takes a tremendous team effort, but seeing the smiles on the faces of the archers and their families makes it all worthwhile. We enjoy meeting participants from across the country, learning about their archery journeys, and sharing information about careers in outdoor recreation and wildlife management. We love hosting this event and appreciate the kindness and respect shown by everyone who visits Rend Lake.
While competition was the centerpiece of the weekend, the event also featured family-friendly activities such as the Delta McKenzie Bowhunter Team Challenge and the Long Shot Challenge, giving archers and their families additional opportunities to enjoy the sport together while highlighting the conservation and outdoor education aspects of the S3DA program.
As temperatures were hot throughout the weekend, many archers cooled off with treats from vendors in Tournament Village. One of them was Kinsley Cooper, a Jr. Eagle from Hilltop Archers in Indiana, who enjoyed a giant snow cone while sharing stories from her first Eastern 3D National Championship. “I loved shooting all the different targets, but my favorite was the laying-down buck target,” said Cooper, referring to the bedded buck target. “My favorite part was making new friends from different states and meeting other archers who enjoy the same things I do.”
Kinsley’s parents said they are proud of how much she has grown through archery in just one year and are excited to see what the future holds for her in S3DA. Her experience reflects what many families value most about the program; the opportunity to build confidence, develop skills, and create lifelong friendships through archery. The memories made throughout the weekend were just as meaningful as the scores posted on the ranges.
Tournament village featured longtime S3DA supporters Lancaster Archery Supply and Delta McKenzie Targets, as well as colleges and universities from across the region that provided archers with valuable information about collegiate archery programs and scholarship opportunities. Their participation, along with support from Arrow Engineering Products (AEP), Clear Targets, and USA Archery, helped create a vibrant space for archers and families to explore equipment, resources, and educational opportunities throughout the weekend.
S3DA’s 2026 National Championship season continues with the Eastern Target National Championship in Evansville, Indiana, July 9-12, followed by Western 3D and Target National Championships in Helena, Montana, August 6-9.