An NRA Day event in Wisconsin was recently featured in the Columbus Journal. Sponsored by the Dodge County Friends of NRA, the event allowed area families to try their hand and the shooting sports and enjoy a day of family fun.

Sportsman's association holds family day

NRA Family Day was held July 31 at the Columbus Sportsman's Association (CSA), sponsored by Dodge County Friends of the NRA.

After a safety briefing, families were given hands-on instruction for shooting shotguns, single action shooting (cowboy), pistol and rifle by volunteer instructors associated with the Dodge County Friends of the NRA and CSA members.

Camp Director Steve Steinbeck would like to thank the volunteers who made the event possible: Rick Tebeest, Art Nevinf, Jerry Quiesser, DuWayne Kuenzi, Irene Pawlisch, Paul Mayer and Mike Fredricks.

NRA Day is an annual summer event at CSA made possible by the volunteers, NRA and CSA support.

Jamie Henning of Beaver Dam shared how he had not hunted or shot since childhood and had learned about the event at a recent hunter safety course in Beaver Dam that he had taken with his son in hopes of returning to the woods. During the day he told everyone, "Next year, we are bringing my wife. She would love this." Henning's word of the day was, "Wow!"

This day provided an opportunity for people to experience all kinds of firearm disciplines unfamiliar to them in a safe educational range environment. There was a good deal of friendly competition for bragging rights between spouses and siblings at some stations, making it a fun relaxed day for everyone.

Because the Friends of the NRA supports the 4-H shooting sports projects, a special invitation went out to Columbia County 4-H families to use the day to explore shooting sports. Starting in January 2011, CSA will be offering 4-H courses in wildlife/ecology, air pistol and archery. Any 4-H youth may participate as long as they are registered in that specific shooting sports project. Go to www.csa12.com for the complete 4-H shooting sports schedule, including rifle and muzzle loader.

Continue reading here.

Interested in attending a NRA Day event? Find one in your area.

 

The summer season is coming to an end, but there's no need to be upset! There are still opportunities for fun with a few NRA Day events going on in the next several weeks:

• September 18: Fairfax Rod and Gun Club will host the Old Dominion District NRA Day in Manassas, Virginia from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. This event is for 1^st grade and up, with a $15 entrance fee. All equipment will be provided as well as refreshments and meals. For more information contact Greg Surrena at (571) 337-7207.
• September 19: NRA Day Camp and Family Open House hosted by Old Colony Sportsmen’s Association in Pembroke, Massachusetts from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. There is no cost for this event, equipment will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own hearing and eye protection. The first 75 young attendees will receive an NRA T-shirt and FREE lunch! For more information on this event contact George Wilson at (781) 871-0003.
• September 25: Leominster Sportsmen’s Association will host the Leominster Sportsmen’s NRA Day in Leominster, Massachusetts from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. All ages are able to attend with a $5 fee for event. All equipment will be provided as well as refreshments and meals. For more information contact Art O’Leary at (978) 537-2642, oleary5150@comcast.net.
• October 9: Pike County Bird Hunter’s Club will host The 5^th Annual NRA Youth Day in Petersburg, Indiana from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ages 8-18 are able to attend this free event! All equipment will be provided as well as a breakfast and lunch. For more information contact Chris Kinman at (812) 789-3125.

Don’t miss out on these upcoming NRA Days! For more information on the NRA Day events, contact Amanda Millward, NRA Day Coordinator, at (703) 267-1591 or amillward@nrahq.org.

Amanda Millward from NRA Youth Programs wants us to highlight the actions of a very special firearms club in Florida. "They're holding NRA Day events the first weekend of every month," she said. Read on:

The Seminole County Gun and Archery Association in Geneva, Florida, hosted a NRA Youth Rifle Program on Sunday, July 4th, 2010, during their monthly scheduled Public Day activities.

The event had thirteen youth, ages 6 to 16, come out for safety training and to shoot rifles, along with many family members showing up to watch and show support. The kids were given rifle safety training, as outlined by the NRA, along with demonstrations of various types of rifles. The kids shot at paper plates from 33 and 50 feet and at silhouette targets at 75 feet.

As a final shoot of the morning, the kids also shot at color-show targets from 50 feet. Since the kids had much practice prior to these targets, the kids were guaranteed of doing well and having something to show and brag about to all of their friends.

For more information on this club's NRA Day events, contact Kent Arblaster at rkenta@netzero.net.

Mark Belli, NRA Youth Co-op Group Program Coordinator, brings the following report: 

The Boy Scouts of America offer National Camping School on an annual basis to prepare and train leaders for their summer camp program. One area of training offered at the school is the shooting sports section. This program includes NRA Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol, Range Safety Officer and Muzzle loading Rifle instruction as well as archery. With the minimal number of Muzzle loading Rifles available at the camps, the National Rifle Association agreed to help provide Muzzle loading rifles to the Boy Scouts for their National Camping Schools.

Larry Quandahl, Manager of the NRA Youth Programs Department, contacted Craig Cushman,  Thompson Center’s Director of Marketing, to inquire if they would be interested in donating Muzzle loading rifles to the Boy Scouts of America. With Thompson Center’s generous donation of 16 Muzzle loading rifles, National Camping schools across all four regions now have the opportunity to run a more efficient training program.

A section director from a recent Northeast Region’s Camping School commented: “I'dlike to express my deep and most sincere appreciation to Thompson Center for the donation of the four 50 caliber Muzzle loading rifles. We had the opportunity to use them at the Adirondack National Camping School to train our shooting sports directors. Undeniably, quality equipment makes a major difference in allowing us to provide the best possibly training…”

Jeff Stout, Outdoor Program Coordinator for the Boy Scouts of America said, "The donation of the sixteen 50 caliber Muzzle loading rifles from Thompson Center has truly enhanced the Shooting Sports instruction at the 20 plus National Camp Schools held across the country. A sincere thank you to Thompson Center and the NRA for making this happen. Quality equipment and quality training equal a quality safe and exciting program for youth."

From Wisconsin's GazetteXtra:

NRA Youth Sports Fest draws 120 participants to Beloit

You’re never too old to dress up like cowboy and plink cans in the backyard with a .22.

Well, technically, the cowboys weren’t shooting cans. But they were earnest about introducing young people to the wide world of recreational shooting sports Saturday at the NRA Youth Sports Fest at the Beloit Rifle Club.

Volunteers from several local gun clubs as well as Green County 4-H worked with 120 youth participants who ranged from kindergarten to high school age.

The clubs have invested in youth-sized guns, bows and other equipment with help from the Friends of the National Rifle Association, said Tom Helbig, event coordinator and owner of Handgun Dynamics.

Saturday’s event included safety training and hands-on shooting in eight events including archery, muzzleloader, rifle and shotgun. The plan is to host the event annually, Helbig said.

Some parents sat in rows Saturday behind shooting lines and encouraged their children. Volunteers were enthusiastic about cheering on young shooters.

Continue reading here.

Good article on the NRA Day program held in Indiana by Phil Potter from the Evansville Courier & Press.

Red Brush helps kids develop aims

Six years ago, Charlie Hallam and other members of the Red Brush Rifle Range saw kids were fast getting addicted to video games that promote violence above common sense. Concerned, they chose to counter by offering a day of safe shooting at their accredited facility.

Red Brush members decided to ask the National Rifle Association for ideas and help in funding. The NRA contacted Brent Weil, chairman of the local chapter of Friends of the NRA, who agreed to furnish $5,000 if Red Brush would raise $2,500.

When word got out, area kids and their parents hurriedly signed on. Each year both attendance and the number of shooting opportunities has grown. While the Red Brush NRA Youth Day is not widely advertised, this year almost 150 kids were accompanied by 125 adults, club volunteers and "safety shepherds" on their day.

After sign-ins, breakfast and the pledge of allegiance conducted by the Indiana Society of Sons of the Revolution, the flag was unfurled as John Fulton, dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier, told the group the importance of the Second Amendment and invited them to participate by enjoying that right at shooting ranges.

Read the rest of the article at the Evansville Courier & Press here.

Every year, hundreds of NRA Day events are conducted across the country. Below is the story of one such event in Wisconsin, courtesy of Jeff Nass. He and a team of other volunteers provide the NRA Day/U.S. Armed Forces Basic Rifle Fundamentals Class to a group of young people known as “Poolees.” Read on to find out how this group helps to introduce youth to shooting while preparing those who go on to serve our country with a crucial skill set.

Nass writes:

A picture of America stands before you: an inner city kid who never held a rifle in his life; a suburban kid, a child of privilege, is in the same boat; the son of a working class family who has hunted deer, but always with a scoped rifle. They all stand on the verge of the most significant experience of their life, a chance to serve their country. Each has advantages their forefathers could not imagine, but the one thing they lack is skill, using a rifle with iron sights, and familiarity with the AR-type rifle.

An estimated one in three Poolees will NOT become a Marine. It truly is “The Few, The Proud.” In 2004, born of the vision of NRA Senior Training Counselor Scott Taetsch and USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike Krueger, both concerned fathers of young Marines, working in cooperation with the USMC Recruit Command, designed a program to introduce young Poolees to the basics of rifle marksmanship while building confidence in the men and women who have committed themselves to defending our great nation and cherished freedoms. The hope was that by providing an introduction in advance, they might excel during Range Phase at Camp Pendleton. More...

 

The Ridge Rifle Association in Fincastle, VA held its annual Youth Shooting Sports Camp on May 22. NRAblog wasn't able to attend, but the club appointed member Dana Harris as the day's correspondent. Here, Harris' report:

For a week before the event we anxiously watched bleak weather forecasts for storms and heavy rain. We woke Saturday morning to blue skies which set a cheery mood for the rest of the day. When the rain did come, it didn’t dampen our spirits or the excitement of the youngsters that came to the event. Seventy-two shooters attended. It was a pleasure to see beaming faces when first time shooters punched the x-ring. One fourteen-year-old girl shot so well, some of the coaches perhaps considered getting more practice time to keep up.

We offered many activities. A Roanoke City SWAT team had an exhibition and information seminar that was well received by both youth and parents. A Virginia Conservation Officer discussed hunter technique and safety. The National Guard set up an information booth and fielded many questions. The Catawba Masonic Lodge performed fingerprinting and other identification for safety. And for many, the most important event was the hot dog lunch with absolutely incredible chili.

A .22 rifle was awarded as a doorprize. The youth enjoyed the day and many planned to come again. The club volunteers had so much fun; we’re already planning next year’s event.

Stay tuned for more reports from NRA clubs and associations across the nation -- and submit your report and any photos to GOblog@nrahq.org!

 

Moe Aguilar brings us the following report from Dug Hill Rod and Gun Club's NRA Day, held April 25:

There were 31 registered youngsters for the NRA Day hosted by the Dug Hill Rod and Gun Club on April 25, 2010 in Manchester, Maryland. The kids had a great time shooting at knock down targets, bulls eye targets and wobble targets using .22 caliber firearms the instructors of the club provided. John Vey, the Dug Hill president, was excited about hosting such an event as a way to give back to the community.

"It's just a great way to provide our youngsters a fun time shooting firearms while at the same time instilling firearm safety," said Vey. "They also received lessons on fundamentals marksmanship and how to improve their skills."

Given the success of April's event, John is already working to schedule another NRA Day later this year!

Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn't mean the fun has to end. The NRA Day program still has events happening across the country, giving you and your family the chance to head out to the range and try your hand at a new shooting discipline or outdoor acitivity. Here's a list of NRA Day events going on in September:

• September 11-13: 4th Annual Venturing/NRA Shootaround Camp, Swoope, Virginia
• September 12: NRA Youth Outdoor Adventure Day Camp, Menomonie, Wisconsin
• September 19: Geary County Fish & Game NRA Day, Junction City, Kansas
• September 26: Leominster Sportsman's NRA Day, Leominster, Massachusetts
• September 27: NRA Day & Family Open House, Pembroke, Massachusetts
• Septermber 27: NRA Day Fun Shoot, Johnstown, Pennsylvania  

Check out an NRA Day event at a club or range near you this September. Need more information? Leave us a comment below.

Bob Altman has been extraordinarily busy this week. His group, the Boy Scouts of America Golden Spread Council, is preparing for its NRA Day Shooting Sports Camp at Camp Don Harrington, near Amarillo, Texas. Altman took a few moments to touch in with NRAblog.

"Everything looks good," he said. "We're getting the kids registered tonight, and they'll spend Saturday on our ranges. It's going to be a great event."

After dinner tonight, the Scouts will enjoy an orientation session and several safety briefings. Altman estimates the participants will spend the better part of tomorrow learning how to fire a variety of guns, including shotguns and .22 caliber rifles.

The event, open to all Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts, will feature a special evening of demonstrations and exhibits Saturday. It will conclude Sunday. Altman promises NRAblog an exclusive update complete with photos, so don't go away!

Thanks to Justin McDaniel from NRAhuntersrights.org for the following update from NRA's Education and Training division:

Barry Ranney from NRA’s Youth Programs Department is in Gallup, N.M., this week conducting an NRA rifle instructor course and Range Safety Officer (RSO) training in advance of the 2009 Wrangler Division Junior High Finals Rodeo. The event is run by the National High School Rodeo Association and is scheduled for June 28 - July 4 in Gallup.

More...

Samantha Pedder, 20, has made her mom proud. For what she’s done for Pennsylvania outdoorsmen (and outdoors women), it’s no wonder.

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Dana Harris with Ridge Rifle Association sent us the following report on the events of the club's recent NRA Day. As an NRA Gold Medal Club, Ridge Rifle Association has at least one "youth oriented" event each year.

This year's participants, such as those pictured above, had a great time learning to shoot and taking part in other fun outdoor activities.

On May 30th, 2009, the Ridge Rifle Association held their annual Youth Shooting Sports Camp in Fincastle, Virginia. 69 youth and 63 volunteers attended. Many first time shooters attended and parents had as much fun as the youth. A turkey call presentation was given and the youth made their own turkey calls. A game warden presented an informative talk on hunting tips and hunting safety. The youth enjoyed a nice picnic lunch. Many door prizes were handed out, including fishing poles and gear. The grand prize was a Marlin .22 caliber rifle.

Thanks, Dana!

If you haven't already, read Danielle's review of the Ridge Rifle Association's Women On Target clinic this past fall. 

The Columbus Sportsman's Association will host and NRA Day Family SportsFest event at their facility in Columbus, Wisconsin on May 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The NRA Day Family SportsFest is a recreational, non-competitive event open to men, women, and children of all ages. Participants are provided with hands-on introduction to the shooting sports by NRA Certified Instructors. The day’s activities include firearms safety instruction, American history, archery, and the chance to shoot pistols, rifles, shotguns, and muzzleloaders.

Lunch is provided and parents are invited to stay throughout the day and join participants for lunch. The cost of the event is $20 for the first participant and $15 for each additional participant. All equipment is supplied, so please do not bring firearms and ammunition.

Learn more about NRA Day, or contact Amanda Millward, Shooting Sports Camp Coordinator at (703) 267-1591. To register, contact Art Schregardus at (920) 210-3348 or Paul Mayer at (920) 210-3390.