4-H SHOOTING SPORTS INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SLATED IN LUBBOCK

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, t-mcalavytamu.edu
Contact: Brad Davis, (806) 746-6101, jb-davistamu.edu

/24-7PressRelease.com/ - December 24, 2004 LUBBOCK - Texas Cooperative Extension will offer a 4-H shooting sports leader and coaches workshop Feb. 25-27 at the Texas AandM University System Agricultural Research and Extension at Lubbock. The center is located Ö‚½ mile east of Interstate Highway 27 on FM 1294.
"4-H members gain the opportunity to test their shooting, hunting and sportsmanship skills by participating in our shooting sports program," said Brad Davis, Extension 4-H and youth specialist based at the Lubbock center. "They can participate in county, regional, state and national competitions, and some even advance to Olympic shooting sports competition."
Local 4-H shooting sports clubs are open to all youths aged 8 and in the 3rd grade to 18. 4-H teaches shooting sports to more than 300,000 youngsters nationwide each year. Volunteer leaders help county Extension agents coordinate local 4-H clubs. Volunteers who are interested in shooting sports can become involved in existing county clubs, or work with Extension agents to help establish a shooting sports club.
"All volunteers who attend our shooting sports instructor workshops are trained by state instructors certified to teach these courses," Davis said. "Volunteers who complete shooting sports instructor workshops and demonstrate experience with a local club can qualify to serve as instructors and coordinators with state and national 4-H shooting sports teams.
"The workshop we are offering at Lubbock in February, 2005, is a perfect opportunity for volunteers to get started with the 4-H shooting sports program."
The February workshop will cover archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun, black powder shooting and instruction specifically geared for coordinating a local shooting sports club or program. Instructors will cover teaching and coaching techniques, the fundamentals of safety and firearms nomenclature, and strategies for success in youth program leadership.
In addition to these general session topics, participants can choose one extra study track in archery, program coordination, pistol, rifle or shotgun, Davis said.
"We will also offer hand loading and reloading classes, if there is sufficient interest. Reloading classes will require a minimum of four participants, but we would prefer at least 10," he said.
"The workshop offers volunteers hands-on instruction in all sessions, dedicated to teaching the marksmanship in each shooting sports discipline."
Volunteers who complete the training also qualify to become National Rifle Association certified smokeless and black powder firearm instructors in the discipline they take. Those who complete the archery training can qualify for instructor certification with the National Archery Association and National Field Archery Association.
The deadline to register for the shooting sports instructors workshop in Lubbock is Jan. 28, Davis said. Registration forms and other information is available at county Extension offices, or by calling Davis at (806) 746-6101.
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14.12.2005 - 20:35 Source: 24-7pressrelease.com | Read: 198 X