The Next Generation
It has often been said that young people are the future of the shooting sports. While this may seem a little obvious, it is crucial to understand that our shooting sports and hunting heritage will slowly sink into oblivion unless we spark an interest in the next generation. The youth of today will be charged with carrying on our traditions tomorrow. Are they ready for that?
A key ingredient to getting young people participating in the shooting sports is adult leadership. NRA trainers are uniquely qualified to provide leadership for a youth program, or, if not leadership, expertise. Whether starting a program or providing your expertise to an existing program, NRA trainers are vital to the expansion of the shooting sports to the next generation of shooting enthusiasts.
NRA has many ways to get a program started or to enhance an existing program. The infrastructure for many programs is already in place and it is easy to get involved. For instance, the NRA Shooting Sports Camp Program offers a comprehensive program guide with all the information you need to organize a camp, as well as free materials and T-shirts from NRA.
A youth shooting sports program may offer basic safety training and marksmanship development, hunting skills development, competition, and fun events to keep interest high. Teaching the basics is very important, but equally important is ensuring that youths have an on-going opportunity to practice, hone, and expand their shooting skills. They need a place to shoot and qualified leaders to guide them in their development. Unfortunately, it is all too common for a young person to receive the basic training but have no place or program to develop further in the shooting sports.
A youth shooting sports program will demand some of our precious time, certainly our patience, and a desire to mentor young people. A program needs to be fun and exciting; after all, it will have to compete with computer games, soccer practice, and text messaging.
Once participants learn the basics, they can start to develop marksmanship skills. The NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program can make that fun by allowing youths to compete against their own last-best score. They receive a discipline patch, and then earn skill level rockers, pins, medals, and certificates as their shooting skills progress. These awards, available from NRA, offer incentives to kids to keep coming back and to try harder.
As young people develop their shooting skills, it is only natural to want to test those skills against others. Competition, both informal and formal, is the natural progression of sports--and it's fun and exciting. Everybody loves a challenge and a chance to be the best. NRA offers postal matches, leagues, tournaments, and championships to satisfy their competitive urge.
A great way to introduce your community to the shooting sports is to offer an NRA Shooting Sports Camp. Chose from the various camp themes: Safety and Firearm Education Camp, Basic Shooting Camp, Hunters Camp, Competition Camp, Special Interest Camp, NRA/ATA Trap Camp, NRA/NSSA Skeet Camp, or Youth SportsFest. A camp can be the perfect venue to recruit participants for a youth program and show parents the benefits and rewards of the shooting sports.
NRA has many resources to help you get a program started. The newly-updated Developing Your Youth Shooting Sports Program book offers a step-by-step plan to get a program off the ground. The NRA also has other program books including the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, NRA Shooting Sports Camp Planning Guide, League Handbook, Tournament Operations Guide, postal match brochures, and more.
Additionally, NRA provides you a way to help fund your program. Through The NRA Foundation's Friends of NRA Grant Program, you can apply for funds to buy guns and equipment, promote your program, and provide awards.
Let us help you get a program started to instill the value of our shooting sports heritage in today's young people. Check out our "Quick Contacts" on the Spotlight page for the direct NRA contact you need to get a program going or to expand your existing program!
MONEY for Youth Shooting Programs
NRA Can Help Fund Youth Youth Shooting Program!
Applying for a grant is surprisingly simple and it is a great way to get funding for your shooting education programs. NRA Foundation grants are divided into two categories, state fund grants and national grants. State fund grants are for projects that impact a local or regional area. They are awarded to qualifying projects or activities that: promote firearms and hunting safety; enhance the marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports; educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context; or contribute to the general well-being of the public at large. Instructors alone have not been eligible for grants, but programs that are run by the instructors can get funding. For example, a youth shooting sports clinic or camp that is open to the public would be eligible for grant funding.
The application for state grants is easy to fill out and it goes directly to your state fund committee. This committee is responsible for making grant-funding recommendations to The NRA Foundation's Board of Trustees, who ultimately decide what projects are funded. The state fund committees meet annually to review grant applications.
Visit www.nrafoundation.org/grants to learn more about project and applicant eligibility, find deadlines, download an application, or check the contact information of your state fund committee. Sandy Elkin, The NRA Foundation's grant manager, can be contacted at (800) 672-3888 x1131 or selkin@nrahq.org to answer questions about obtaining grant funding.
FREE Training Materials from US Products!
United States Products Company (USP) is continuing its special program for NRA Trainers to provide a complimentary packet of innovative training materials. The packet includes one of USP's new "Score Big!" Combo packs featuring a tube of USP Bore Paste, a non-toxic formula that removes all types of fouling in 15 to 20 minutes, and a bottle of USP Gun Cleaning Oil. In addition, the packet contains an instructive 10-minute DVD demonstrating firearm safety, cleaning, and care, as well as several bookmarks dedicated to all firearm educators with an inspirational quote by Theodore Roosevelt. There is also a hole in the bookmark designed to help shooters determine their dominant eye.
"USP's products are very popular with those who have used them," said Bill Poole, Director of NRA's Education and Training Division. "This is a great opportunity to find out for yourself."
USP is a strong supporter of NRA programs. They not only provide these training materials free to NRA Trainers, but are also donating a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of their gun cleaning and maintenance products to The NRA Foundation's Firearm and Marksmanship Training Endowment, which will help fund NRA training programs for generations. To receive these training materials at no charge -- and to register for the USP Forum, an online chat room devoted to firearm instructors and enthusiasts -- please contact USP at (412) 621-2130 or go to their website at www.uspborepaste.com.
Have You Met the Challenge?
The NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge, That Is ...
The National Rifle Association's premiere youth hunter education training program, the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC), now has a comprehensive DVD available that provides an inside look at what makes YHEC the only program of its kind in North America and the NRA's longest-running youth hunting program. Travel with actual event participants as they make their way though a series of hunting-simulated events. With over one million youth graduates since the program's inception, learn why this exciting program is a must for every individual family group or organization that cherishes the outdoors and the American hunting tradition.
To find out more about YHEC or to obtain a copy for the DVD, contact the NRA Hunter Services Department at (703) 267-1523 or jtaylor@nrahq.org.
