Washington State University Extension State 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training Edited by Paul Carter and Janet Schmidt, WSU Extension Educators from Steve Hines, Rifle Instructor in Idaho

What Is 4-H Shooting Sports?  Six Project Areas:  Archery  Rifle  Pistol  Shotgun  Muzzle Loader  Hunting

Why Does 4-H Have A Shooting Sports Program?  As a tool for youth development  Builds self confidence  Promotes personal discipline  Requires responsibility  Develops team work  Enhances self esteem  Encourages sportsmanship conduct

Steve Hines Rifle Instructor Why Does 4-H Have A Shooting Sports Program?  provide a positive experience for youth  promote safe and ethical use of firearms  we believe that firearm education reduces gun accidents  promotes a total family involvement in a healthy sport

Steve Hines Rifle Instructor 4-H is a Life Skills Program  Shooting sports are just one more way to develop kids into capable, competent, productive, caring citizens.

Do Shooting Programs Promote Gun Violence?  Evidence indicates the opposite!  Designed to teach good self confidence and build character.  Promotes the highest standards of safety, ethical behavior and respect.  We have a Constitutional Right to possess firearms, Therefore:  all members, regardless of age, should be adequately trained to ensure safe, ethical, and responsible ownership

Isn’t Easy Access To Firearms A Cause Of Violence?  Evidence indicates the opposite!  The safest location for responsible gun owners to store their guns is at home  Firearms should be stored so that they are inaccessible to unauthorized users

Isn’t Hunting Inhumane And Unnecessary In Modern Life?  Four Primary Values arise from hunting  Societal  Hunting is a viable and healthy food source  Promotes good sportsmanship and ethics  Valued part of our American heritage  Good mental and physical exercise  Hunting is an ideal family activity  Economic  Hunting reduces road killed animals and crop loss  Hunters spend millions each year to pursue their sport

Continued  Ecological  Hunting is a vital wildlife management tool  Hunting dollars support wildlife habitat projects in every state  Hunting improves the health of a population  A well placed shot is more humane than diseases  Historical  Hunting was necessary for food and clothing  Provides a modern connection with our past  Promotes an appreciation for our heritage

Aren’t Shooting Sports Dangerous?  Studies show there are far fewer injuries in hunting and shooting than there are in:  bowling (53 injuries/100,000 participants)  golf (163.5 /100,000)  swimming (217.9 /100,000)  tennis (205.8 /100,000)  basketball ( /100,000)  Hunting (6.7 /100,000)  does not include archery  does include all injuries, not only gun related

National Committee Minimum Standards  All instructors accept and abide by the Code of Ethics  The 4-H curriculum is the established and accepted curriculum  Leaders have a written risk management plan  Thrust is teaching life skills, not shooting skills  Other organizations certification is supplemental  Follow the state instructor guidelines

Code Of Ethics  I will respect the participants, volunteers and property associated with the 4-H Shooting Sports Program  I will set a good example as a mentor and role model for 4-H Shooting Sports youth and volunteer leaders  I will strive to be knowledgeable of the life skills embodied in the 4-H Shooting sports program and aid positively in the development of youth through adherence to those principles

Code Of Ethics  I will strive to be technically competent in the subject matter I teach  I will adhere to the National 4-H Shooting Sports guidelines and curriculum  I will respect the dignity of each participant in the 4-H Shooting Sports program regardless of gender, origin, ability, or achievement

Washington & Idaho’s Instructor Guidelines  Age: 21 to be an Instructor, 18 to be an Assistant Instructor, and 14 to be a Teen Leader  Must have been screened, trained, and appointed as a current 4-H volunteer leader  Successfully complete 15 hours of Instructor Training provided by the State 4-H Office  Must be trained in the discipline which they are instructing

WSU 4-H Leader Training Requirements  Application  Enrollment  WSP Screening  Reference check  Sign behavioral guidelines  Complete county training guidelines  Interactive online “E-Learning for volunteers”

Steve Hines Rifle Instructor Volunteer Responsibility It is each volunteer’s responsibility to check with your local Extension office to make sure that you meet all the volunteer requirements prior to working with youth in your shooting sports or other club!

Instructor Training Opportunities  State level training  Bid To Host Training  National level training  May ?  Train-the-trainers course  We need instructors in all disciplines statewide!

National Training  Archery  Pistol  Rifle  Shotgun  Coordinator  Muzzle loading/Black Powder  Hunting

State Training  Only National Certified Instructors teach at the state trainings  Only one discipline per training  15 Hours of Instruction  Spread across weeks  Or all in one weekend

Steve Hines Rifle Instructor Topics  Introduction  Youth Development  Risk Management  Leader Training Requirements  Range Instruction ~ Coach & Shooter  Resources  Equipment  Funding

In Conclusion…  If you have a love of shooting and the outdoors…  If you have a passion to share your skills and experience with others…  If you want to have a positive influence on youth…  Become a shooting sports leader and help us be a POSITIVE influence on our youth and send a POSITIVE message about hunting and shooting!!!

Steve Hines Rifle Instructor Questions?