Archery is a timeless sport. It takes patience and discipline, you and the bow work as one to deliver an arrow to the target. Modern compound bows are wonders of human ingenuity but the simple traditional flatbow made from a single piece of wood has a simplicity and beauty all its own.
The Self Bow Building Workshop engages in the fine art of bow making; learning to carve and shape a single piece of wood into a beautiful and efficient hunting bow. While participating in this workshop you will experience the complete process of bow making from start to finish. This is not a survival or quickie bow class.
You will learn how to properly select, harvest, and season bow wood. We then work through design & layout, shaping, tillering (bending), and finally shooting. Each participant will also learn how to make their own bow strings. In the end you will have completed a highly effective bow which you can use for target practice or to hunt and that you will be able to enjoy for many years to follow.
If you are interested in building arrows for your bow, please sign up for our arrow building workshop. If you would like to learn to hunt with your bow please consider signing up for our hunting apprenticeship series.
Ages: 18 & Older (space limited to 10 participants)
Where: Ancestral Knowledge Museum & Research Center Riverdale, MD
When: April 8-12 2026
Registration Fee: $375-$750 Sliding Scale (pay what you're comfortable)
If you would like to purchase an osage orange stave for your bow, we can provide one for an additional $100.
Also check out other Workshops in Riverdale, Sports events in Riverdale, Arts events in Riverdale.
