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Shooting Sports

About 4-H Shooting Sports

4-H Shooting Sports

The West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Program encompasses the goals of volunteer leadership, capacity building for youth and families and environmental stewardship. The program is designed to:

  • give youths safe and thorough instruction and training in the use of firearms (muzzleloading, air pistol, air rifle including small bore and shotgun), archery equipment and wildlife conservation;
  • enhance self-confidence, personal development, responsibility and sportsmanship;
  • create an appreciation and understanding of natural resources; and
  • provide volunteer instructors safe and proper instructional techniques and information on how to plan and manage shooting and conservation clubs.

The West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Program teaches young people between the ages of 9 and 21 the safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment, in addition to instruction in wildlife conservation.

West Virginia 4-H Adult Volunteer Leaders are trained and certified to be positive role models and mentors for youths in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

Goals, Objectives and Policy

West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports provide an outstanding way of promoting human growth and development in the life skills identified by the National 4-H Program. Decision making, teamwork, problem solving, being responsible and having high self-esteem are just a few of the many skills 4-H helps to develop to enable youths to be productive and positive adults in our society. Youth development is the number one goal of the West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

Specific objectives of the 4-H Shooting Sports program are:

  • To enhance development of participant’s self-concept, character and personal growth through safe educational and socially-acceptable involvement in shooting activities.
  • To strengthen families through life-long recreational activities.
  • To develop leadership qualities in youth and adult participants.
  • To expand 4-H membership and involve additional 4-H adult volunteers.
  • To encourage understanding of natural resource concepts through participants’ interest in shooting and wildlife conservation.
  • To expose participants to the broad array of vocation and lifelong avocational activities related to shooting sports.
  • To teach safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment, including sound decision-making, self-discipline and concentration.
  • To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
  • To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety and hunter education programs.
  • To provide 4-H training and certification in the various shooting sports disciplines for adult volunteers.
  • To maintain and expand a state level committee of nationally trained and certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors.

Shooting Sports Camps

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Upcoming Shooting Sports Events

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