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In the past few weeks We have received several questions as
to why the 4-H shooting sports programs has its own rules when it comes to
local , state and national competitive shoots. Why do we not adhere to the
specific rules of one or more of the various governing bodies’ rules? The
short answer is that these other organizations deal with the development and
maintenance of shooters and the sport of shooting. Our product is YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT. That is what we do.
In order to understand the answer it
is imperative that we look at and understand the Goals and Objectives of the
4-H shooting sports program as listed in the 4-H State Policy and Procedures.
Let’s review just what those goals and objectives are:
The 4- H
Shooting Sports program strives to enable youth, their parents and adult
volunteers to become responsible productive self-directed members of society.
These goals and objectives are consistent with the goals of the 4-H program.
The program transfers knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop human capital,
using the subject matter and resources of the land–grant universities.
Agents, leaders, instructors must understand the goals of the program in order
to manage or present it properly. Although some or all of the shooting sports
activities may include awards, competition is not the main objective of the
shooting sports program.
The goals and objectives of the 4-H Shooting
Sports program include but are not limited to:
1. To encourage
participation in natural resources and related natural sciences programs by
exposing participants to the content through shooting, hunting and related
actives.
2. To enhance development of self confidence, character and
personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement
in a shooting activity.
3. To teach safe and responsible use of firearms
and archery equipment including sound decision making, self-discipline and
concentration.
4. To promote the highest standards of safety, ethical and
sportsmanship behavior.
5. To expose participants to the broad array of
vocational and life-long life skill activities related to shooting sports.
6. To strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational
actives
7. To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety,
shooting and hunter education programs using experiential methods and
progressive development of necessary skills and abilities.
The 4-H
Shooting Sports program is one of the largest and most successful youth
shooting programs in the state. Our leaders do an exceptional job of providing
a basic shooting foundation for future generations. In short the rules we use
address the goals and objectives of the program.
The 4-H shooting
sports programs has been the springboard for many shooters who have gone on to
shoot at higher completive levels whether that is shooting at a local shooting
club, NRA competitions , YHEC, CMP shoots ,and at the Olympic level. Once a
shooter develops beyond the basic level we encourage them to go farther and we
help them find support to go on to the next level. With over 30 different
sanctioned completive events available it is impractical for the 4-H program to
try to tailor our rules to meet each of them.
The objective of the 4-H
Shooting Sports Program is to develop championship youth, not championship
shooters.
In short … Our job is to develop civically active &
socially productive young men and women not necessarily the very best shooters.
Shooting is the “hook”; a better person is the result. |
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