Where Have All the Junior NRA Rifle Classes Gone to?

I say try to get in touch with local hunting clubs. National Wild Turkey Fed and such. I know here in AZ they do youth clinics and shoots. The bigger clubs have fallen to the tactical assault carbine and advanced flashlight pistol crowds. You have to sell what's being bought I guess. Contact your local gov game and fish as well. I'm sure they're out there.

Yoda,

The NRA has both Basic Rifle class and "First Steps" rifle class available from certified instructors, Some gun clubs sponsor youth shooting programs as well. The Boy Scouts, 4H and other youth groups have a shooting program at most of their camps. Here in Florida it is "wrinkle-city" where the old guys at the gun clubs are not particularly interested in inviting youngsters to shoot.Yes, many if not most NRA instructors around here are concentrating on CCW classes.

As a long time NRA instructor and Training Counselor, living in SW Florida I find it a sisyphean task to organize youth shooting opportunities. Few of the current brood of teens are sufficiently motivated to take advantage of opportunities and Moms manage and maintain their social calendars and transportation. Having a choice between no effort and video games, or getting out of bed and actually doing something, they often choose the first. If I get a dozen teens to sign up for a small bore shoot, I am fortunate if 2 or 3 show up.

You might contact Dudley Irvine in Lander ([email protected], or [email protected]). He's the Jr Exec for Wy State Shooting Assoc.

When I was in Wy the only junior shooting in Casper was through JROTC.

Supply and demand.

Curator said:

many if not most NRA instructors around here are concentrating on CCW classes.

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Several years ago when I received my NRA Basic Pistol Instructor certification and State Certified Concealed Weapons Permit Instructor certification I tried hosting Basic Pistol classes and received no interest whatsoever. Yet we are told by many here that requiring a permitting process, including a formal class, is not necessary because people will seek out education and training on their own. Uh huh.

Central Florida Rifle & Pistol has their Junior program every Saturday morning when they are not off competing. I realize it may be a bit of a drive from Melbourne. But you can reach out to the program director there to see if they have any helpful information.

Link: www.cfrpc.com
Link: CFRPC Junior Program

I'm having a heck of a time finding Junior NRA Rifle Classes for grandkids in Casper WY and in Crestview and Melbourne FL

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Ever hear of Project Appleseed?

Project Appleseed

Project Appleseed is a nationwide program that teaches rifle markmanship skills that have been passed down from generation to generation, and reconnects Americans with the people and events of colonial America. Hear some little-known Revelutionary War history, reaffirm your heritage and make America a better place.

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I believe that rather than promote the use of flintlocks, muzzleloaders and the like Project Appleseed teaches using rimfire and some lighter centerfire calibers.

I've not yet attended any of their clinics, but would like to.

Here's a link to an Appleseed rifle marksmanship clinic that was in Casper in April. Perhaps you may use the contact info therein to investigate further for your area in WY.

Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic (in Casper)


And a search for Appleseed Florida yielded Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinics Offered in Florida

[And for what it's worth, my username has no connection to Appleseed. Instead, it is a phonetic expansion of the Model 200A Coleman lantern, the lantern model that served as a catalyst to my vintage Coleman lantern collection)

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Ugh. My bad. After double-checking the second link I see the story was written Dec. '14 for Appleseed clinics in Florida for Dec. '14 thru Jan. '15...

Still, here's hoping any contact info therein may still be useful to you.

200Apples said:

I believe that rather than promote the use of flintlocks, muzzleloaders and the like Project Appleseed teaches using rimfire and some lighter centerfire calibers.

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Most locations will allow anything you are likely to bring to shoot. I wouldn't expect to be able to shoot a .338 Lapua or .50 BMG or the like, but a .22lr...5.56x45....7.62x51....308 Winchester...30-06...most locations will be good to go with those. A few will be .22lr only or may have other restrictions and, when so, that will be due to limitations of the host range and not the RWVA/Appleseed.

Plan2Live said:

Supply and demand.

Curator said:Several years ago when I received my NRA Basic Pistol Instructor certification and State Certified Concealed Weapons Permit Instructor certification I tried hosting Basic Pistol classes and received no interest whatsoever. Yet we are told by many here that requiring a permitting process, including a formal class, is not necessary because people will seek out education and training on their own. Uh huh.

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Requiring training to get a permit should not be lawfully required because it is not required and a great deal of experience shows no effect of requiring training...except fewer law abiding citizens being armed.

I have to second the Appleseed clinic idea. Took both of my kids to them, had a blast and learned a lot. It helps a lot if the kids are familiar with their rifles beforehand, and though the training is geared towards .22, we've participated with 5.56 and .30-06 also. The only problem with Appleseed is that it's not a continuous thing - you go for the two day class, then it's over. You might also check out the local 4H - around here, 4H has a HUGE shooting program for kids, although it's set up mainly for pellet rifles and such, I believe. I think county extension agents still have something to do with 4H, if you can find yours. Good luck!

cologuy said:

I have to second the Appleseed clinic idea. Took both of my kids to them, had a blast and learned a lot. It helps a lot if the kids are familiar with their rifles beforehand, and though the training is geared towards .22, we've participated with 5.56 and .30-06 also. The only problem with Appleseed is that it's not a continuous thing - you go for the two day class, then it's over. You might also check out the local 4H - around here, 4H has a HUGE shooting program for kids, although it's set up mainly for pellet rifles and such, I believe. I think county extension agents still have something to do with 4H, if you can find yours. Good luck!

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Uh, that's only true if you go to one and quit.

Go to a two day class, then sign up for another two day class. Didn't shoot rifleman yet? Go until you do. Can't shoot rifleman on every AQT yet? Well. Keep going.

Then there are known distance events...and you can always take an orange hat yourself...many youth could take an orange hat as well, or if too young, a blue hat.