Organizers of the 4-H Shooting Sports program know there is more than one way to instill life lessons. That’s why 4-H is calling for more volunteer leaders to help youth learn responsibility, sportsmanship, self-discipline and other qualities critical to becoming productive citizens. Shooting sports is a means volunteers and 4-H professionals utilize to keep young people engaged while teaching valuable life skills. The certified training program focuses on safety, ethics, risk management, youth development and proper hands-on training techniques. The curriculum aims to inspire lifetime participation in recreation, hobbies and even careers related to shooting sports and wildlife.
Participating 4-H members choose between shotgun, rifle, air rifle, pistol, air pistol, hunting, muzzleloader or archery for a shooting discipline and become well educated about their project. Throughout the year, they can participate in competitions on the local, state and potentially national level.
Extension Agent III Reid Nevins encourages anyone interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer leader to attend an informational meeting set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at the Mississippi State University Extension office at 485 Tom Rose Road in Columbus. The facility is located near the junction of Highway 82 and Highway 45 South, next to a new multi-purpose arena being erected off Highway 82.
“Volunteer leaders teach many skills and life lessons and form lifelong relationships with 4-H’ers,” said Nevins. “Being a volunteer has just as much impact on the volunteer leader as it does on the 4-H youth.”
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and complete the Mississippi volunteer enrollment process, which includes a background check, application and training video. A certified instructor training is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in West Point.
Contact the Extension office at 662-328-2111 for information about the program and volunteer development.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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