Shooting Sports Training

The importance of trained leaders is critically important in all areas of Scouting, and shooting sports is no exception. The MCC Shooting Sports Committee will provide information about available training as well as provide some training directly.

We are ramping up the archery program in our Council and we need your help! In order to grow archery, we will need registered adult leaders to become USA Archery Level 1 Instructors. As a Level 1 Instructor, you could help with Archery Merit Badges and be well prepared to operate archery ranges for participants with all levels of skill from the youngest Cub Scouts to lifelong adult archers. We are now scheduling Level 1 Instructor training courses, see below for details!

If you have questions, please contact the committee at chair@mccshootingsports.com.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for more information about this offering and other important training information.

Cub Scout Shooting Sports

Shooting sports for Cub Scouts include BB guns and archery, both of which require a Range Master. The Range Master is training in one or many disciplines. For example, a BB Range Master is training to teach the safe use of a BB gun to Cub Scouts and is authorized to operate a BB gun range at a district or council event. A BB Range Master IS NOT authorized to teach or operate an archery range. That would require an Archery Range Master. It is possible to be a Range Master for both BB guns and archery, but they are separate and distinct credentials/certifications.

Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts are additionally able to use air rifles (pellet guns). In order to operate an air rifle range, the range officer must have NRA Rifle Instructor credentials.

Note: You will see both Range Officer and Range Master used to describe the individual trained to operate a Cub Scout range. These terms should be considered interchangeable. However, neither of these designations is equivalent to NRA Range Safety Officer, despite the similarity of their names.

Boy Scout Shooting Sports

Shooting sports for older Scouts includes firearms, in addition to archery, tomahawks and throwing knives. Additional certifications are needed for these activities.

The certifications/credentials needed for Scouts shooting sports programs are:

  • Rifle-NRA Range Safety Officer (MCC Approved) and NRA Rifle Instructor (see at bottom of page)

  • Shotgun-NRA Range Safety Officer (MCC Approved) and NRA Shotgun Instructor (see at bottom of page)

  • Archery-USAA Level 1 Instructor or higher

  • Cowboy Action Shooting-NRA Range Safety Officer (MCC Approved) and NRA Instructors for Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol

  • Tomahawks/Throwing Knives/Catapults/Slingshots-Archery Range Master or Tomahawk Range Master (just for Tomahawks)

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Cub Scout BB/Archery Range Master

  • Apr 29, 2023 at Belk
  • May 6, 2023 at Belk (WAC preference)
  • June 3, 2023 at Belk
  • Nov 18, 2023 at Belk

Be trained to instruct Cub Scouts on the safe use of a BB gun and archery equipment. Learn how to safely operate a BB gun range and an archery range. Learn about the proper care and treatment of the equipment (BB guns, bows, arrows, targets, ranges, etc.). This certification is good for two years. Training will take place at Belk Scout Camp on the BB and Archery ranges from 8 am to 5 pm. No previous experience needed. We will teach you everything you need to know.

Register for Cub Scout Range Master

USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Practical Training

This is the "practical" training for the Level 1 Instructor certification. You must have completed the online course and passed the test before registering for the "practical course".

Class will take place at the Archery Range. Drive into camp and park in the gravel lot next to the Health Lodge. Walk across the field to the Archery Range on the same side of the road. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a snack and water bottle. There will be a restroom available at the Health Lodge. Bring your COVID masks and hand sanitizer. All materials will be provided as part of the course fees. The course will cost $40 for registered Scout leaders, $50 for non-registered adults. All participants must be 18 at the time of the course. The fees must be paid in advance to complete your registration.

Belk Scout Camp
9408 Belt Road
Midland, NC 28107

If you have questions, please contact the committee at chair@mccshootingsports.com.

NRA Training Details

Allow us to explain a few things about NRA training. It can be rather confusing.

NRA Instructor training, such as NRA Rifle Instructor or NRA Shotgun Instructor, is completed in multiple steps.

  • The first step is to complete the Basic course for the discipline, such as Basic Rifle Shooting, Basic Shotgun Shooting or Basic Pistol Shooting. The purpose of this course is to ensure every participant knows how to safely operate the firearm and successfully hit the target a minimum number of times. This course is usually a very full day (8-10 hours is not unusual), as participants must qualify to complete the course.
     

  • If you are successful in the Basic course, an NRA Training Counselor may invite you to consider the Instructor course for the discipline, such as NRA Rifle Instructor, NRA Shotgun Instructor or NRA Pistol Instructor. The purpose of this course is to teach the participants how to teach others how to shoot. As such, it generally requires a little more mastery and may require additional range time to improve shooting skills. This course is a very full day (8-10 hours), as participants must qualify again, but with stricter scoring requirements.
     

    • Before you can begin the Instructor course, you must complete the Basic Instructor Training course, or BIT. The BIT course is good for two years, so you can save time (and maybe money) by taking multiple Instructor courses within two years. Some NRA Training Counselors will include this right before the Instructor training for an additional fee.?
       

  • After successfully completing the Basic course, then BIT, then the Instructor course, you've made it!? You are now an official NRA Instructor and can help out at our ranges and teach merit badges!

If you have questions, please contact the committee at chair@mccshootingsports.com.

USA Archery Instructor

It is required to have USA Archery Level 1 Instructor (or higher) certification to operate the archery ranges at Camp Grimes or Belk Scout Camp. The only exception is that Cub Scout Archery Range Masters may operate the ranges for Cub Scout District or Council events. The USA Archery training is also required to become an Archery Merit Badge counselor.

In order to meet this requirement, the Shooting Sports Committee will be offering numerous training courses each year. We will discount the training for registered Scout leaders. Proof of membership will be required. The certification is good for three years and can be renewed online.

The Level 1 Instructor Course provides graduates the necessary tools to maintain a high level of safety both on and off the archery range and ensures that minimum standards for archery instruction are consistently taught to provide for the safety and enjoyment of the participants, instructors and spectators. Level 1 Instructors are well prepared to teach beginner archery programs to people of all ages and abilities in a variety of both indoor and outdoor settings in the disciplines of target, field or 3-D archery. The Level 1 Instructor will learn about range safety, range setup, the steps of shooting, equipment and repair, programs and lesson plans.

The Level 2 Instructor Course provides graduates the necessary tools to serve as the lead instructor for long-term archery programs such as Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD), Adult Archery Program and Collegiate Archery Program clubs, and the Explore Archery Program in addition to the benefits of the Level 1 Instructor Course.

To successfully complete the requirements for either of these certifications, students must successfully pass the USA Archery Instructor Certification online course including the online exam, and register for and complete the "in-person" USA Archery Instructor practical course.

The online courses can be found here:
Level 1: https://www.usarchery.org/coaches/course-information/38360
Level 2: https://www.usarchery.org/coaches/course-information/38357

The online Level 1 course is available for $40. The online Level 2 course is available for $50. The second part is a "practical" course where the student meets with an Instructor Trainer at an archery range to do the hands-on portion of training, which includes practicing the shooting process and helping other students improve their technique. In addition to the USA Archery Practical material, students will also learn how to make a bowstring and an arrow (to be able to teach the Archery Merit Badge). The course will last roughly four hours. These "practical" courses can be found on USA Archery's website, https://www.usarchery.org. The cost for the "practical" courses can vary, but a reasonably priced course will be around $50. Be sure to complete the online course before registering for the "practical" course.


Practical Courses being planned:

Contact chair@mccshootingsports.com to request a Level 1 or Level 2 practical course.

Belk Scout Camp-TBD

Class will take place at the Archery Range. Drive into camp and park in the gravel lot next to the Health Lodge. Walk across the field to the Archery Range on the same side of the road. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a snack and water bottle. There will be a restroom available at the Health Lodge. All materials will be provided as part of the course fees. The course will cost $30 for registered Scout leaders, $50 for non-registered adults. All participants must be 18 at the time of the course. The fees must be paid in advance to complete your registration.

Belk Scout Camp
9408 Belt Road
Midland, NC 28107

Camp Grimes-TBD

Overnight accommodations can be arranged. A cabin with heat/AC is available for an extra fee, but tent camping is free. Class will be at the Archery Range. Park in the gravel lot at the gate next to the Camp Office, then walk uphill to the Pavilion and follow the signs to the Archery Range. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a snack and water bottle. There will be a restroom available at the Pavilion and Port-a-Potty near the Archery Range. All materials will be provided as part of the course fees. The course will cost $30 for registered Scout leaders, $50 for non-registered adults. All participants must be 18 at the time of the course. The fees must be paid in advance to complete your registration.

Camp Grimes

383 Vein Mountain Road

Nebo, NC 28761

Mecklenburg Wildlife Club-TBD

Class will take place at the outdoor Archery Range. Enter the Club and follow the road and signs to the Archery Range. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. There will be a restroom available on property, but possibly not at the Archery Range. All materials will be provided as part of the course fees. The course will cost $30 for registered Scout leaders, $50 for non-registered adults. All participants must be 18 at the time of the course. The fees must be paid in advance to complete your registration.

Mecklenburg Wildlife Club

2301 Wildlife Road

Charlotte, NC 28214