Youth Shooting Opportunity 2022

Looking for youth target shooting opportunities? 

The local 4-H program offers training and competition. Here's how to join

 

Johnson County, Kansas, 4-H’s popular BB Gun and Air Rifle introductory programs return for the season starting in October. The program’s objectives are to introduce youth and their parents to safe and responsible use of firearms; to promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior; to acquaint youth and their parents with fundamentals of competitive air-gun shooting; and to foster shooting as a fun, family recreation.

The 4-H Shooting Sports BB Gun and Air Rifle projects are administered under the K-State Research and Extension 4-H Youth Development program and operated by a team of adult volunteers who are experienced in shooting and youth instruction, who have been recommended and background-screened by the county Extension office, and who have received mandatory intensive training and state-level certification in the rifle shooting discipline and in youth development training techniques. Several 4-H instructors are Mill Creek Rifle Club members.

The competitive squad portion of the project consists of a combination of live-fire shooting instruction and class-room lecture covering general gun knowledge, proper gun handling, and procedures for participating in airgun competitions. The BB-Gun program is open to beginners and assumes no previous shooting experience or training. The competitive season lasts from October until the state 4-H championship in early April, and it includes weekly practice meetings and participation in about six competitions throughout eastern Kansas during the winter.

Youth do not have to own their own equipment to participate. The 4-H Rifle Club has a limited supply of safe and proper equipment to outfit most youth who are interested in participating.

If you know of a youth who may be interested in this program, please read the following:

• 4-H BB Gun is open to youth between age 9 and 15 as of Jan. 1, 2023.
• Air Rifle is open to youth aged 12 to 18 as of Jan. 1, 2023, who have successfully completed at least one season of the 4-H BB gun program
• Successful completion of at least one season of the Air Rifle program is a required prerequisite for participation in the advanced 4-H shooting disciplines of smallbore rifle (.22 caliber) and muzzloading rifle, which will begin in Summer 2023 and practice at Mill Creek Rifle Club.
• Plan to attend the initial introduction to 4-H BB-Gun safety classes scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. October 11, October 18, and October 25. Participation in these three classes is required in order to be considered for invitation to participate in competitive match season shooting with the Johnson County 4-H BB Gun and Air Rifle squads. Participation in 4-H Shooting Sports with the competitive squad is by invitation only. Invitations will be extended by the 4-H instructors based on student performance in the introductory class and available resources.
• As soon as possible, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to introduce yourself and let us know you plan to participate.
• Enroll in 4-H as soon as the new enrollment opens on October 1, at https://v2.4honline.com. Be sure to enroll in the BB Gun and Air Rifle projects as appropriate to your participation plans. You must be enrolled in 4-H to attend any meeting at which live shooting takes place. Enroll as soon after October 1 as possible, as your enrollment must be accepted by Johnson County K State Research and Extension before your enrollment is official. You will only be permitted to shoot at any of the safety classes if you can demonstrate your enrollment is official—no exceptions will be permitted.

Additional questions? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..