About our Organization

The National 4-H Shooting Sports Program and 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 Rifle Association Instructors and training counselors, hunter education instructors, National Bow Hunter Education Instructors, National Archery Association instructors, National Muzzle loading Rifle Association Instructors, and Extension Specialists.


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The program relies on National and State 4-H trained and certified instructors to conduct classes/programs in the various disciplines (Air Rifle, Archery, Black Powder, Hunting & Wildlife, Rifle, Shotgun, and Program Coordinators) using the National 4-H Shooting Sports Curriculum. Shooting Sports has the potential of being a high liability activity. Therefore, the program requires 4H trained and certified instructors to adhere to the safety rules and regulations as dictated by the program to decrease the liability of such an educational experience.

The New Jersey 4-H Shooting Sports Program consists of the following curriculums: Archery, Rifle, Muzzle loading, and Shotgun. We anticipate adding the 4-H Hunting disciplines into the program this year.

This program is designed to work with groups of children in a club setting. We do not offer individual lessons. Individual instructors may work with outside organizations (such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts) to help them to achieve merit badges in the shooting sports curriculum.

In the wake of the terrible incidents of youth perpetrated violence , people may question the appropriateness of the 4-H shooting sports program.

The 4-H Youth Development Shooting Sports Program involves kids who have an interest in firearms/guns/archery, etc... and welcomes them into an accepting, caring group. The first thing they learn is safety. Next they learn discipline, followed by respect (respect for firearms as well as respect for people). They are not permitted to use the firearm until they prove they can handle those three prerequisites.
4-H Shooting Sports Members learn what it means to be a good citizen, to help others, and to respect others. They develop the skills necessary for success in the workplace as well as interpersonal relationships (life skills).
4-H Adult Volunteer Leaders are positive role models and mentors for kids. They model and teach the kids character while they teach the kids the proper use of and respect for firearms and respect for other people.

The program requires the use of National or State 4-H Trained & Certified Instructors to conduct classes/programs in the various disciplines (Air Rifle, Archery, Black Powder, Hunting & Wildlife, Shotgun, and County Coordinators). A list of our NJ State Certified instructors can be found at the Certified Instructors page . No person may be certified as instructor until the following requirements are met:

Instructors must be 21 years of age.
Successfully complete instructor training sessions administered by the State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Council or National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee.
All Volunteers have to be screened, trained, and appointed as a current RCE 4-H Volunteer through their local County Extension Office before they can become instructors.

To enhance development of participant's self concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activities.
To strengthen families through lifelong recreational activities.
To develop leadership qualities in youth and adult participants.
To encourage understanding of natural resource concepts through participant's interest in shooting and hunting.
To expose participants to the broad array of vocations and lifelong vocational activities related to shooting sports.
To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior.
To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety and hunter education programs.

Are you interested in being a volunteer? To learn more about the New Jersey 4-H Shooting Sports Program or to find out about a club near you, please contact the NJ 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator or your local Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office..

Training and certification opportunities are available for adult volunteers. To learn more about 4-H in New Jersey, please follow this link to www.nj4h.rutgers.edu

Youth development is the primary goal of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. 4-H Shooting Sports provide an outstanding way of providing human growth and development in the life skills identified by the National 4-H Program. We strive to each safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment at home, on the shooting range, or in the field, including sound decision making, self discipline, and concentration.

© 2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Last Updated: April 24, 2008 . Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

What is 4-H Shooting Sports?