4-H Shooting Sports Programs

4-H Shooting Sports Programs

Official 4-H emblem.
Formation	Circa 1902, United States
Type	Youth organization
Legal status	Non-profit organization
Purpose	"Engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development."
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	6.5 million members in the United States, ages 5 to 19
Main organ	National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA))
Parent organization	United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Website	4-H.org

4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents four personal development areas of focus for the organization: head, heart, hands, and health.

The organization has over 6.5 million members in the United States, from ages five to nineteen, in approximately 90,000 clubs. Clubs and related organizations now exist in many other countries as well; the organization and administration varies from country to country.

The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, and life skills of youth through mostly experiential learning programs. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, and technology programs.

Today, 4-H and related programs exist in over 80 countries around the world. Each of these programs operates independently, but cooperatively through international exchanges, global education programs, and communications.

The 4-H motto is "To make the best better", while its slogan is "Learn by doing" (sometimes written as "Learn to do by doing").

Mission

The focus of all 4-H programs is the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens. The National 4-H Shooting Sports Program stands out as an example. Youth learn marksmanship, the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery, and much more. The activities of the program and the support of caring adult leaders provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth, and conservation ethics.

Position Statements

Why does 4-H have a shooting sports program?

• 4-H uses shooting sports to teach youth development. Our programs are valuable for helping young people develop self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, teamwork, self esteem and sportsmanship. The discipline and self-control required for responsible firearms use carries over into many other aspects of life.
• 4-H programs provide a positive experience for youth and promote the safe and ethical use of firearms.
• It is our belief that firearms education reduces gun accidents.
• Hunting and Shooting are rich American traditions. 4-H shooting sports programs help continue this tradition through involvement of the total family: youth, teens, parents, grandparents, etc.

Don't shooting programs like those run by 4-H spread American's violent gun culture?

• No! In fact, there is ample evidence that the opposite is true. The 4-H shooting sports program is designed to teach good self-concept and character, and to promote the highest standards of safety and ethical behavior. In addition ,with 60-80 million gun owners in America, and the vast majority of them using guns safely and responsibly, America has a peaceful gun culture.
• In a society that has chosen to possess firearms, all members, regardless of age should be provided adequate training to ensure safe, ethical and responsible interaction with firearms.

Isn't easy access to firearms one reason for the violent behavior we've seen in Columbine and other school shootings?

• No, access is not the issue. The safest location for a responsible gun owner to store a firearm is the secure environment of his or her home.
• Firearms should however, be stored so that they are inaccessible to unauthorized users.

Isn't hunting inhumane and unnecessary in modern life?

There are four primary values that arise from hunting: social, economic, ecological and historical.

1. Societal. Hunting is a viable and healthy food source, promoting good sportsmanship and ethics. It is a valued part of our American heritage and is exceptionally good mental/physical exercise. Hunting is an ideal and common family activity.
2. Economic. Hunting minimizes the economic loss of human life and property damage that may result from road kills and crop depredation. Hunters spend millions of dollars each year to pursue the sport, and much of that money goes directly into wildlife management.
3. Ecological. Hunting is a vital wildlife management tool . Hunters' dollars support wildlife habitat projects in every state in the USA. Hunting improves the health of natural wildlife populations and contributes to the conservation of our natural resources. A well-placed shot by a skilled marksman is a more humane cause of death than natural causes experienced by wildlife.
4. Historical. Hunting was a necessary method of obtaining food and clothing by our forefathers. The act of hunting and utilizing game animals, in similar ways, helps us to appreciate the demands and sacrifices that our ancestors faced in the historical development of modern civilization.

Disciplines

• Archery
• Black Powder
• Pistol
• Rifle
• Shotgun
• Advanced Shotgun
• Wildlife and Hunting

Training and Volunteerism

4-H shooting sports programs are run by trained and certified volunteers. Any adult over the age of 18 may become a certified volunteer to run or assist in a shooting sports program. Youth over the age of 16 may be certified to participate as a Youth Leader.

To begin a 4-H shooting sports program, an adult contacts their cooperative extension service to locate a training program in their area to get certified. Training programs are often weekend events staffed by unpaid volunteers. Room and board are often provided and included in the cost for the training which is nominal. The weekend program is divided into multiple segments. The core of the program is youth development. The first part of the program, a volunteer must demonstrate proficiency to his or her instructor within the chosen discipline. This is followed by training in youth development. Students then divide up and demonstrate their training skills by training other students and receive their certificates. Once certified the volunteer registers and participates in orientation with their Extension Educator.

Youth Development

Students from 8 to 18 are welcome to participate. Age is less important than maturity, the ability to follow rules, and the motor skills to handle a firearm or bow safely.

The 4-H slogan is "Learn by doing". Students are given a period of classroom training followed by hands on training. As students develop skills they are encouraged to assist younger students as coaches. This allows students to develop skills and confidence leading to true self esteem. Not all students will excel academically nor will they excel athletically, shooting sports is one area where size, physical strength and memorization skills are not necessary to achieve excellence.

Venues

While 4-H provides the education, training, and support to start a program, many programs are run and financed through local gun clubs. Gun clubs often provide ranges, rifles, targets and ammunition for the program.

Safety

Safe handling of bows and firearms is a primary concern of 4-H shooting sports. Students are drilled over and over again in safe handling procedures and are encouraged to develop at their own pace.

4-H shooting sports programs are among the safest programs run by 4-H. Insurance costs for shooting sports are among the lowest of all 4-H programs. The only other program with insurance costs as low as shooting sports is sewing.