The Youth Development committee supported by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress has announced that with the 2022-2023 school year underway schools will have the opportunity to make part of their plans moving forward.

Schools have been selected by the International Bowling Campus Youth Development team to receive Bowler’s Ed kits and curriculum through the Bowler’s Ed GBPAA Offers Bowler’s Ed Program

Through the program, schools, youth groups and other organizations can teach students and youth groups and other organizations are able to teach students and young athletes about bowling in an educational, yet fun, setting. 

Each Bowler’s Ed kit provides teachers and staff with all the equipment and tools needed to enjoy the sport in the most convenient way, by bringing a bowling-center like atmosphere into their classrooms, gyms or recreational spaces.

Each kit includes a carpeted mobile bowling lane, rubber bowling ball, plastic pins, step-by-step curriculum and an instructional video on the fundamentals of bowling, etiquette, safety, scoring and fitness activities. 

For schools, facilities or organizations interested in applying for a Bowler’s Ed grant, the portal is open once again. The submission deadline is December 31, 2022. The application can be found at BOWL.com/BowlersEd.

Along with the chance to introduce children in grades K-8 to a sport they can play for a lifetime, bowling in any setting is great exercise and a fun way to build endurance and hand-eye coordination.

The curriculum also includes lessons that put a different twist on math, language arts, problem solving, geography, computer skills and more.

“With the new school year underway, we’re excited and proud to be able to help make bowling a part of the experience,” Chrissie Kent, the chair of the IBC Youth Committee said.

“Our goal is to create ease of use and access to bowling, and our Bowler’s Ed kits provide just that since they are portable and can be used inside or outdoors. Bowling is a great physical activity, but it also requires participants to use math and other classroom skills. We’re happy to play a part in developing those skills while keeping it fun,” Kent said. 

IBC Youth Development works with local associations, schools and bowling centers throughout the country to deliver the In-School Bowler’s Ed Kits.

The initiative is supported by the bowling industry and aims to bring bowling centers and associations together with schools in their communities allowing physical education teachers the opportunity to make bowling one of the sports they teach to their students.

Bowling Tip by Mike Luongo

In order for everyone to enjoy the bowling experience, it’s common courtesy to follow a few simple  guidelines. Here are some of the unwritten rules of bowling etiquette. 

1. Always wear bowling shoes. Street shoes will ruin the approaches.

2. Keep nasty language and outbursts in your head. Nobody wants to hear it. 

3. Keep  any food or drinks away from the lanes. Spilling  anything can damage the equipment and it’s dangerous for others. 

4. Be ready  to take your turn. Don’t make everyone wait.

5. Don’t step over the foul line. It’s against the rules and can result in you tracking oil all over the approach.

6. Don’t use someone else’s ball unless given permission.

7. Yield to the  bowler to your right if you’re both up at the same time.

8. Stand off the approach and out of the line of sight of the other bowler until that bowler finishes. 

9. Do not intrude on the adjacent lanes in any way. That includes throwing your ball onto the wrong lane, standing or playing on another lane’s approach, or doing anything that infringes on the adjacent bowlers’ lane.

Mike Luongo is a Certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events Assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question,  email him at mike.luongo@stormbowling.com

Local Highlights

Memory Lanes

(Formerly Port Jervis Bowl)

Monday Night Mixed

Jason Csencsits 223, 647, Kyle Mathews 230, Vinny Collura 210, 608, Paul Minton 204, 601, Marianna Monaco 203, 547, John Hinton 215, Kevin Stackhouse 215, Liz Stubits 191, Carol Flynn 185, Bill VanAken 241, 632, Dan VanAken 236, 627, Kelly Shattuck 180, Dean Shattuck  228, 616, JoJo Van Keuren 235, 648, Serafin Rodriguez III, 257, 696, Michele Macedonia 206, 542.

Tuesday Mixed

Robert Jahn 213, Richard Gaglione  234, Wayne Sniffen 243, 652, Jaime Fedorick195, 574, Josephine Zych 180, 504, Pedro Agapito III 279, 767, Fran Luzzi 211, 577, Brett Romer 237, 621.

P.J. City League

Derick Brown 224, 602, Jeff Brown 242, 672, Shrek 226, Derek Delaney 256, 741, Frank Eichenlaub 220, John Jashembowski 258, 657, Justin Traynor 236, 693, Steven Fairweather 259, 731, Pat Morgen 225, 624, Billy Van Wie 234, Pedro Agapito 235, Rich O’Neill 231, 665, Brittney Morgan 200, 544, Gregory Conklin 232, 641, Shelly Morgan 190, 511, Chris Morgan Jr. 255, 729, Dom Giovanniello 225, Tom Hinkley 222, Brian Pastor 242, 659, Ray Willis 247, Mike Holt 214, Tommy Palmer 218, 628.

Thursday Women’s

Erin McDonagh 243, 672, Carol Flynn 191, 546, Stephanie Freeman 202, 517, Charlene VanHorn 191, 516, Kim DeGarmo 179, 499, Michele Macedonio 204, Darlene Amarilla 192.

Ray Willis Sr. Memorial League

Michele Bensley 202, 536, Justin Traynor 231, 614, Neal Bensley 204, Sherri Laird 203, 545, Bryan Shauger 220, 652, Tommy Palmer 248, 699, Jason Markle 253, 666, Brett Romer 278, 693, Josephine Zych 195, 518, Marisa Waehler 213, 552, Wayne Sniffen Jr. 258, 671, Pat Morgan 215, 616, Steve Hess 253, Brooke Csencsits 223, Jason Csencsits 244, 630, Jaryl Scott 245, 623, Kyle Felter 245, 623, Lincoln Ranich 223, 650.

Quinnz Pinz Middletown

MPPS Wednesday 3 Person

Jon Horn 248, 702, Kimberley Morley 182, Rich Gaglione 234, 669, Pam Petersen 192, 562, J J Wilhelm 218, Jon Wilhelm 228, Debra Napolitano 235, 620, Bill Youngman Jr. 222, Tom Belgiovene 222, Steven Belgiovene 264, 683, Larry Whipple 225, 634, Rich Steinmetz Jr 278, 767.