URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports relies heavily on adult volunteers taking the lead in the various disciplines, ultimately making the county program successful. Registration is open for two statewide Shooting Sports Leader Certification sessions on June 5 and July 24.
The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program is part of the National 4-H Shooting Sports program that started in the mid 1970s. Shooting sports operate under strict regulations. Volunteers working with the program must complete certification before being accepted as an instructor.
“After the training, our 4-H volunteers understand their role in mentoring youth to become self-directed, confident members of their community,” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist. “Yes, they absolutely teach the safety fundamentals, but their bigger role will be helping youth feel welcomed, empowered, and successful.”
A 4-H shooting sports club leader may be a parent or other adult in the community who is interested in working with young people on basic shooting skills and safety. Interested adults don't have to be expert marksmen to become involved in the program, and volunteers are needed in archery, shotgun, rifle, pistol, and hunting and wildlife project areas.
Check out the full volunteer requirements..
The June 5 date will take place at 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello and the July 24 training will take place at Camp Gardner in Hull. Those interested can contact their local Extension office to register for either date.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Curt Sinclair at sinclair@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
About 4-H: Illinois 4-H helps youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H impacts the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
For Further Information Contact:
Source: Curt Sinclair, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Shooting Sports and Environmental Ed, University of Illinois Extension, sinclair@illinois.edu
News Writer: Carissa Nelson, 4-H Media Communications Manager, carissa7@illinois.edu