El Tejon
Member
The White County, Indiana Sheriff north of me is sponsoring a youth firearms training program that I think would be of interest to THR.
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710210330
****************************************************************************
Venture program teaches firearm safety
By BILL DOTSON
For the Journal & Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)
BUFFALO -- Graham Robertson enjoyed the Venture shooting sports program at Camp Buffalo last year because "it was fun competing with my friends."
But Robertson, 16, a Twin Lakes High School junior, gained more from it than that.
"It taught me a lot about gun safety and leadership skills, too," he said.
Now in its fourth year, the Venture program teaches boys and girls ages 14 through 18 about proper firearm use, maintenance and safety. The wide-ranging program includes archery, shotguns, handguns, rifles and muzzle-loaders.
It's co-sponsored by White County Sheriff John Roberts -- who is one of the program's instructors -- and by the Venture Crew, a division of the Boy Scouts of America.
Roberts said he's involved because of his "deep concern for firearm safety for the youth."
"It teaches them discipline, confidence and responsibility," he said.
Roberts also stressed that participants must be in good academic standing.
"Just like with any high school sport, academics are our top priority. If they can't keep the grades up, we don't want them," he said.
Terry Beasy, program leader, said that along with teaching firearm safety and marksmanship, and helping to build self-esteem, the program teaches the importance of conservation.
"We talk about why it's important to obey the hunting license laws," he said.
The program has averaged about 10 to 12 participants each year, two or three of them girls, Roberts said.
"We're doing something a little different this year," said Brian Hershey, district executive of the Sagamore Council of Boy Scouts.
The group had been meeting twice a month throughout the year but now, they'll meet once a week through March.
"That just gives it a little more continuity," he said.
The cost is low -- just $10 -- because as a Scout-sponsored program, the leaders are offered liability coverage and accident insurance. All equipment is provided by the leaders and owned by Camp Buffalo, a Scout facility, Hershey said.
The Venture program is open to non-Scouts. Beasy said the Venture Crew is a wing of the Boy Scouts where you venture into a certain aspect.
"When you choose that particular Venturing crew," he said, "you're going to learn all about that area you're interested in."
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710210330
****************************************************************************
Venture program teaches firearm safety
By BILL DOTSON
For the Journal & Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)
BUFFALO -- Graham Robertson enjoyed the Venture shooting sports program at Camp Buffalo last year because "it was fun competing with my friends."
But Robertson, 16, a Twin Lakes High School junior, gained more from it than that.
"It taught me a lot about gun safety and leadership skills, too," he said.
Now in its fourth year, the Venture program teaches boys and girls ages 14 through 18 about proper firearm use, maintenance and safety. The wide-ranging program includes archery, shotguns, handguns, rifles and muzzle-loaders.
It's co-sponsored by White County Sheriff John Roberts -- who is one of the program's instructors -- and by the Venture Crew, a division of the Boy Scouts of America.
Roberts said he's involved because of his "deep concern for firearm safety for the youth."
"It teaches them discipline, confidence and responsibility," he said.
Roberts also stressed that participants must be in good academic standing.
"Just like with any high school sport, academics are our top priority. If they can't keep the grades up, we don't want them," he said.
Terry Beasy, program leader, said that along with teaching firearm safety and marksmanship, and helping to build self-esteem, the program teaches the importance of conservation.
"We talk about why it's important to obey the hunting license laws," he said.
The program has averaged about 10 to 12 participants each year, two or three of them girls, Roberts said.
"We're doing something a little different this year," said Brian Hershey, district executive of the Sagamore Council of Boy Scouts.
The group had been meeting twice a month throughout the year but now, they'll meet once a week through March.
"That just gives it a little more continuity," he said.
The cost is low -- just $10 -- because as a Scout-sponsored program, the leaders are offered liability coverage and accident insurance. All equipment is provided by the leaders and owned by Camp Buffalo, a Scout facility, Hershey said.
The Venture program is open to non-Scouts. Beasy said the Venture Crew is a wing of the Boy Scouts where you venture into a certain aspect.
"When you choose that particular Venturing crew," he said, "you're going to learn all about that area you're interested in."
