Welcome to my store! My name is Joella Bates and I am an avid archer, bowhunter and archery instructor trainer and coach with a passion for sharing archery with others. I tried archery for the first time at 4H camp in Milan, TN in the summer of 1976. But a very rocky start in the sport left bruises and cobwebs growing on the oversized bow that my dad purchased for me in 1983. Lucky for me, in 1989, I was introduced to Odell Braswell of Odell’s Outdoorsman in Cookeville, TN by his college roommate, Steve Nifong. With a bow that fit and some timely instruction, I started developing my passion for the sport. That passion has grown and taken me all over the USA, Canada, South Africa Zimbabwe and France.
Recently, I attended the World Archery 3D Championships as a PROUD Team Member of the USA Archery 3D Team shooting in the Women's LongBow division and finished 10th against the best women longbow archers from the 25 participating countries. Only the top three men and women archers from compound, barebow, instinctive and longbow divisions were invited to compete. I am pround to have been one of 7 archers competed in both France in 2017 and Alberta Canada in 2019.
Many of you bought t-shirts, bracelets or bandannas to help me with the costs I incurred as a self-funded member of TEAM USA. I still have some inventory left over from that fundraiser that I want to offer to commemorate GOING FOR THE GOLD IN LAC LA BICHE ALBERTA CANADA. Please, take a look around. I'm sure you'll find something you like. When these shirts are gone, I will not reprint any more World Archery 3D Championships 2019 shirts. Funds raised from the sale of these shirts will go to fund equipment needs and scholarships for some archers from low income families.
Also, there is an opportunity for you to help with my "Passing on the Passion" mission to share archery and the outdoors with others. Your kind donation will provide scholarships and equipment for my archery outreach program called JoCamps. JoCamps Archery Bootcamps are held literally around the country to provide training and coaching for archery clubs and teams. For more information, please call or message me.
Thanks for your support!
SHOOT STRAIGHT... DREAM BIG! GO TEAM USA!
Joella
859-421-3506
joella@jocamps.com