2025-03-11 20:00Press release
Girl Scouts Take Aim and Succeed: Bad Bowbenders Earn National Titles
Bowbenders 2025 National Field Archery Association (NFAA) Indoor NationalsThe Bad Bowbenders, a Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey (GSCSNJ) Special Interest Troop, recently returned from the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) Indoor Nationals in Chicago with a strong showing on the podium. The competition, held from Feb. 14-16, brought together nearly 900 archers from 48 states and nine countries. The Bad Bowbenders, an all-girl competitive archery team, competed in the Barebow division, bringing home multiple national titles and personal best performances.
Among their top finishes were:
- Madison Castro – 1st Place, Young Adult Female Barebow
- Emmalyn Wallace – 1st Place, Youth Female Barebow
- Delaney Chapman – 2nd Place, Women’s Barebow
- Evie Wassall – 2nd Place, Young Adult Female Barebow
- Audrey Habina – 2nd Place, Cub Female Barebow
The Bad Bowbenders is a unique Girl Scout Special Interest Troop, providing girls with an opportunity to focus on archery while maintaining the broader mission of Girl Scouting—developing courage, confidence, and character. Some of the team members first discovered archery through Girl Scout summer camps and outdoor programs, and the Special Interest Troop format allows them to continue training and competing at a high level while remaining engaged in Girl Scout programming.
“Special Interest Troops give girls a chance to connect over a shared passion while developing leadership skills and teamwork,” said Ginny Hill, CEO of GSCSNJ. “The Bad Bowbenders have demonstrated how commitment and support can create opportunities for growth in a competitive environment.”
A Family Affair
The Bad Bowbenders include girls from across central and southern New Jersey, creating a network of young athletes who train together and encourage each other’s development. Among them is Amber Fulgham, a student at Woodbury High School, who competes alongside her mother, Vicki Fulgham. Vicki serves as a Girl Scout troop leader and also competes in archery, providing a unique mentoring relationship that reinforces the importance of perseverance and discipline.
“I get to coach, compete, and learn alongside my daughter,” Vicki said. “It’s rewarding to see these girls set goals and work toward them, knowing that they have the support of their teammates and the Girl Scout community.”
Robbinsville’s National Champion
One of the team’s standout competitors, Emmalyn Wallace, a student at Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville, won first place in the Youth Female Barebow division. Wallace, like many of her teammates, was introduced to the sport through a Girl Scout program and has since dedicated herself to training and competing at the national level.
“Archery requires a lot of focus and patience,” Wallace said. “Being part of the Bad Bowbenders has given me the chance to improve my skills and compete against the best in the country.”
The Role of Special Interest Troops in Girl Scouts
GSCSNJ’s Special Interest Troops are designed for Girl Scouts who want to deepen their involvement in a particular activity or field while still participating in the broader benefits of Girl Scouting. These troops, which exist across a range of disciplines including STEM, travel, and outdoor adventure, offer structured mentorship, access to resources, and opportunities for skill development that extend beyond traditional troop activities.
The Bad Bowbenders demonstrate the success of this model. While the NFAA Indoor Nationals is not an Olympic qualifier, the competition provides a platform for archers to gain experience and recognition. For many of these Girl Scouts, excelling at national tournaments opens doors to future international competitions and collegiate athletic opportunities.
Building Confidence Through Competition
Studies show that participation in sports contributes to higher confidence, leadership skills, and long-term career success for girls. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, 80% of female Fortune 500 CEOs played sports in their youth. Programs like the Bad Bowbenders reinforce these benefits, providing young athletes with an environment to develop discipline and resilience.
“Sports teach you how to stay focused and overcome challenges,” says Todd Chapman, Bad Bowbender’s Coach. “The dedication these girls show in archery extends to other areas of their lives, preparing them for whatever path they choose.”
With another successful competition season behind them, the Bad Bowbenders will continue training and competing, aiming for future national and international events. Whether their journey leads them to collegiate teams or Olympic trials, these Girl Scouts have already demonstrated that with the right foundation and support, they can achieve at the highest levels.
If you would like to learn more about Girl Scouts Special Interest Troops or the Bad Bowbenders, visit www.gscsnj.org or email info@gscsnj.org
About Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.
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