By STEVE BINDER
Illinois Correspondent

URBANA, Ill. — When it comes to offering a national 4-H shooting program, Illinois had been behind the times. But not anymore – following a popular first season, the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program has more than doubled in size as it enters spring.

“I like to think that part of the reason for the interest is the credibility of 4-H programs overall. Most people recognize that the program will be conducted in a credible, responsible way,” said Dan Dawson, a University of Illinois extension educator and coordinator of the state program.

The university signed off on the program’s startup in 2009, a program already offered in 47 states with an annual national 4-H shooting competition. This year’s contest is in San Antonio, Texas. Once they mature, Illinois clubs – based largely on county boundaries – will participate in the national contest, Dawson said.

“Kids really do love to shoot,” he said, offering another reason for the program’s popularity. “And frankly it’s a chance to get them away from their TVs, their iPods, and into the outdoors.”

Participation last year totaled about 800 kids from 47 of the state’s 102 counties. Approximately 190 volunteer adults participated. Dawson said nearly 250 adults are signed up so far this year to mentor about 1,700 kids.
The curriculum calls for training in three main areas: .22 caliber shotguns, air rifles and archery. Children must be at least 10 years old to participate in shotgun instruction and at least eight years old for air guns and archery, he said.

Adults must pass a training course and be certified by the state before leading a club. “It takes time for counties to become eligible for the Shooting Sports program because adult leaders must be certified before they can lead a club,” Dawson said. “Once we get the programs started, the interest from youth in those counties is overwhelming.”

Paul Burton, adult volunteer and the program’s coordinator in Woodford County, said his club has already enrolled nearly 100 youth for this year’s season. Each discipline in the club – shotgun, air rifle and archery – will meet once per week throughout the summer, beginning in April.

“The 4-H Shooting Sports program is different from others because we help youth to develop life skills, as well as safely use firearms,” he said. “We use the shooting activities as a vehicle to teach teamwork, cooperation and responsibility.”

This spring, UoI extension will host two weekend training sessions for prospective adult leaders. The sessions are set for March 25-27 and May 13-15 at the 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello. To register for the training sessions, call Dawson at 217-782-6515 or e-mail dddawson@illinois.edu

The cost is $115 and includes lodging for two nights, six meals, all shells and equipment and the program curriculum.

Nationally, the shooting program has existed for more than 30 years, and last year included some 320,000 kids aged 8-18 and about 47,000 adult instructors, Dawson said. He explained the program’s details and plans were presented to UoI administrators and board members about two years ago, who signed off following reviews of several issues, including risk management and its success throughout the United States.