Cass County, Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports

Description

Youth development and safety are the major goals of the 4-H Shooting Sports program. The program will be utilized as a vehicle for human growth and development. 4-H Shooting Sports are an excellent way to provide life-skill development and to establish a caring relationship with an adult mentor. Approximately two thirds of the homes in the United States have firearms, so teaching safe responsible use of firearms and archery equipment is vital to preventing accidents in the home or in the field. The University of Illinois Extension 4-H Shooting Sports Program provides the instruction in the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment. The program teaches a variety of life skills that include: self-responsibility, decision-making, self-discipline, goal setting, teamwork, safety and others.The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Program will utilize the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program and Curriculum. All 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors will need to obtain 4-H Shooting Sports Program Instructor Certification prior to conducting 4-H shooting sports with youth and be screened as a 4-H volunteer through the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.Statewide, multi-state and/or regional training programs and instructor updates utilizing National 4-H Shooting Sports Program and Curriculum will be offered annually. The curriculum was developed, drafted and tested by the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee over a period of years and has been offered to states since the mid 1980’s. The curriculum is scrutinized continually and revisions made as appropriate. Writers of the curriculum included National Bow Hunter Education instructors, National Rifle Association instructors, National Archery Association instructors, and Extension Specialists. The curriculum and training programs emphasize young people and their life skills as the product of the program while using tested techniques and positive reinforcement. The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program is a youth development education program that uses a prevention education model that strongly emphasizes positive youth-adult interaction and peer leadership.