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Low Country 4-H Shooting Sports Program
| Name | Marion Barnes | | Situation | Approximately two-thirds of the homes in the U.S. have firearms and in many rural counties in SC this figure is much higher. All too often youths do not receive any formal training in the safe use and handling of firearms. Their first experience with firearms is a hunting trip with a parent or adult who may or may not have the proper training in gun safety. Although rare, accidents with firearms do occur and are often the result of improper handling of firearms.Teaching youth and adults the proper way to safely handle firearms can reduce the occurance of firearm accidents. | | Response | Volunteers were recruited, trained and certified through the Clemson 4-H Shooting Sports program to coordinate the local program and teach youth the safe and proper use of shotguns as well as improve shooting skills. These trained instructors taught eight youths from Colleton, Bamberg, Hampton and Allendale Counties firearm safety and shotgun handling skills
through workshops and training sessions. Youths meet weekly from January 15 through March 3, 2007 to pratice shooting skills and learn firearm safety. Volunteers and team members also participated in Range Day at the SC Department of Natural Resources Webb wildlife Center near Garnett, SC in Hampton County. | | Impact | The Low Country 4-H Shooting Sports Program was a huge success. All participants increased their knowledge of firearm safety and improved their shotgun handling skills. Over $5400.00 was donated by local individuals in support of this program. Approximately eighty youths and adults participated in the Range Day held at Webb Wildlife Center in Hampton County. For many youth and adults, this was their first experience in handling firearms. Participants were taught firearm safety and participated in archery, air rifle, .22 rifle and skeet shooting events at Range Day. Six youth from the Low Country Shooting Sports team competed in the State 4-H Shotgun Shooting event held on March 10, 2007 in
Aiken County. The Low Country 4-H Shooting Sports team placed third in the junior event. By all accounts, this was a very sucessful program and will be expanded next year. |
Last update6/26/2007
This website is maintained by Lisa Terry.
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