Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
NEBRASKA 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS POLICY
Adapted from the National 4-H Shooting Sports
I.
Situation Statement
The Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports (SS) Program encompasses the initiative goals of
volunteer leadership of Nebraska Extension. The program in Nebraska is administered
by a nationally certified state committee consisting of Extension staff and volunteers.
The program is designed to: 1) give youth thorough safe instruction and training in the
use of firearms and conservation; 2) enhance self-confidence, personal development,
responsibility, and sportsmanship; 3) create an appreciation and understanding of natural
resources; and 4) provide volunteer instructors safe and proper instructional techniques
and information on how to plan and manage shooting and conservation clubs. The
program relies on state 4-H certified & trained instructors to conduct classes in the
various disciplines (archery, rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills).
The program requires 4-H certified & trained instructors to adhere to the safety rules and
regulations as dictated by the program.
The 4-H SS Program is a youth development education program which uses a prevention
education model that strongly emphasizes positive youth-adult interaction and peer
leadership. It uses skills and disciplines of safe shooting and conservation to assist young
people and their leaders in attaining knowledge and developing essential life skills. The
program can enhance family communications and quality time together. It creates an
environment for a caring relationship between a young person and a significant adult,
whether this is a family member, other adult, or teen volunteer. These activities provide
the opportunity for immediate gratification to the youth and satisfaction and self-worth to
the adult/teen leader who acts as a teacher and role model for younger 4-H/youth
members.
II. Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports – Minimum Standards
The Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Committee recognizes the diversity of the
4-H shooting sports programs within the state. It is advised that programs at the county
level adopt and adhere to these standards. Should an injury occur in a county due to the
disregard of any of these minimum standards, the potential negative legal/liability
ramifications for a land-grant university system could be significant. The following
minimum standards are not negotiable:
➢ All instructors accept and abide by the National/Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Code of
Ethics.
➢ The National 4-H Shooting Sports Curriculum is the established adult teaching
curriculum for training adults to teach youth shooting sports within a 4-H program.
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➢ Club level 4-H Shooting Sports Programs will have written risk management plans which
include items such as emergency response and preparedness, insurance, safe storage of
firearms and ammunition, state-level reloading policies, etc.
➢ That the thrust of the 4-H shooting sports curriculum is to teach the child life skills, as
opposed to teaching shooting skills to the child.
➢ That certifications by other national organizations are a welcome supplement to the 4-H
shooting sports certification process.
➢ All certified 4-H shooting sports instructors are a minimum of 21 years of age and have
completed a state level 4-H shooting sports workshop in the specific discipline they will
be teaching.
➢ To maintain certification as a 4-H shooting sports Level I instructor, the individual must
teach youth or assist in instruction of youth, a minimum of four hours each year within
the discipline certified. These individuals are also required to complete and submit their
annual report to the state coordinator.
➢ Cloverbud age youth are not allowed to participate in any shooting sports activity that
includes the handling or live-fire of any air-guns, firearms, or archery equipment.
➢ Only factory ammunition is used at 4-H shooting sports competitive events.
The following minimum guidelines for instructor training at the state level workshops
must be adhered to:
• All certified adult 4-H volunteers with supervisory responsibilities in the shooting
sports program are a minimum of 21 years of age or older.
• All state level certification workshops must provide a minimum of twelve (12)
hours of instruction; including a minimum of eight (8) hours instruction in each
specific discipline taken and a minimum of four (4) hours instruction in teaching
youth development principles, ages & stages, risk management, and life skills.
• All instructors must teach youth or assist in instruction of youth, a minimum of
four hours in their respective discipline every year. Instructors must also complete
and submit their annual instructor report to the state coordinator to remain a
certified instructor in their respective discipline.
III. Program Objectives
The 4-H Shooting Sports Program strives to enable people, their parents, and adult
volunteers to become responsible, self-directed, and productive members of society.
Extension staff, leaders, instructors, and coaches must understand the goals and
objectives of the program to manage or present it properly. These goals and objectives
are consistent with the goals and objectives of the 4-H program. The program transfers
knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop human capital, using the subject matter and
resources of the land-grant universities.
The specific goals and objectives of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program include, but are not
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
limited to those listed below.
A. To enhance development of self-concept, character, and personal growth through
safe, educational, and socially acceptable involvement in a shooting related activity.
B. To encourage participation in natural resources and related natural science programs
by exposing participants to the content through in shooting activity.
C. To teach safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment including sound
decision-making, self-discipline, and concentration.
D. To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior.
E. To expose participants to the broad array of vocational and lifelong avocational
activities related to shooting sports.
F. To strengthen families through participation in lifelong recreational activities.
G. To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety, shooting and hunter
education programs using experiential educational methods and progressive
development of skills and abilities.
IV. Philosophy
A. All instructors in the program will be certified by a member of the Nebraska State 4-
H Shooting Sports Training Team to teach specific course(s). All instructors (Level 1
& 2) will participate in an update when new curriculum material or new instructional
methods are available.
B. The shooting sports program can be an individual or group 4-H project activity.
C. The enrollment in the program has the potential of reaching new youth audiences as
well as new volunteer leaders.
D. The program is open to all youth provided they are under the direct supervision of a
certified 4-H Shooting Sports instructor. Youth must be eight years old before
January 1 of the current year before enrolling in a shooting sports project. Youth
must be 9 years old or older before January 1 of the current year before enrolling in
shotgun or muzzleloading projects.
E. A 4-H Shooting Sports instructor of a discipline has the right to refuse any participant
from the shooting sports activity in the interest of safety for the participant and others
in the group.
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
F. A county will not sponsor or schedule any shooting sport activity conducted by
anyone other than a 4-H Shooting Sports trained & certified instructor of the
appropriate discipline in active status.
G. Inter-agency cooperation, collaboration, and participation through use of facilities and
equipment as well as cooperative programming is strongly encouraged.
H. It is strongly suggested that all youth complete the State of Nebraska Hunter/Bow
Hunter Education Program sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
I. It is recommended that a county does have a SS coordinator to assist in administering
and promoting the SS program in the county.
J. Competitive shooting events are optional and individual, and not the main thrust of
the program.
V. Program Administration
The program is administered by the State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Committee and
the Nebraska State 4-H Office. The State 4-H Office and 4-H Advisory Committee will:
A. Administer the program.
B. Develop a program outline for counties to follow.
C. Conduct instructor training and certification programs.
D. Develop informational materials to be used in publicizing the program.
E. Provide orientation to county staff of the shooting sports program.
F. Initiate resource development in partial support of programming.
G. Maintain files of 4-H instructor certification status.
H. Cooperate with county staff to assist in program operations and administration.
VI. Instructor Certification Requirements
The program requires that members of the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting Sports Training
Team, who are nationally certified, conduct classes in the various disciplines: archery,
hunting skills, shotgun, muzzleloading, pistol (air, .22), rifle (BB, pellet, small bore). No
person may be certified as an instructor until the following requirements are met:
A. Adult Leader - individuals who are 21 years of age or older and provide direct
supervision and teach youth. They also must provide direct supervision of an
Apprentice Leader.
B. Apprentice Leader - individuals who are ages 14 to 20, have successfully completed
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
a state or national sponsored workshop. These individuals may assist a certified adult
instructor while under their direct supervision.
C. Attend and successfully complete an instructor training program administered by
members of the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team and demonstrate
competency to instruct as determined through a written test, trainer observation and
other screening used during training.
D. All volunteers must be approved through the Child Protection and Safety Policy
Process before being approved as instructors. This includes completing the Youth
Protection Volunteer Screening Form. Failure to cooperate in such screening will
disqualify any volunteer or staff member from service. The Youth Protection
Volunteer Screening Form will be updated and re-approved on a four-year basis.
E. Only one certification per discipline may be achieved at a single state 4-H sponsored
training workshop. A participant must attend all the training sessions at a state-
sponsored workshop to become a certified instructor. The lead instructor in each
discipline reserves the right not to certify a person if he/she feels the candidate will
not be a competent instructor.
F. All state-level certification workshops must provide a minimum of twelve (12) hours
of instruction, including a minimum of eight hours of instruction in each specific
discipline taken and 4 hours of instruction in teaching skills, 4-H philosophy, youth
development, risk management and additional topics identified by the State 4-H SS
Advisory Committee.
4-H certification, achieved only by successful participation in a 4-H leader workshop, is
an absolute requirement for an instructor in the shooting sports disciplines. No other
certifications or qualifications are accepted as a substitute. Just because you are an expert
marksman, does not mean you know how to work with youth. And just because you are a
firearm’s instructor certified by another organization, does not mean you know about 4-H
philosophy and procedure. Each 4-H instructor workshop includes youth development
principles and concepts, risk management practices, and program management in
addition to shooting discipline training.
VII. Instructor Renewals & Recertification
A. To maintain your certification as a Shooting Sports instructor, you must teach youth
or assist in instruction of youth, a minimum of four hours in your respective
discipline(s) every year. This requirement must be documented as per Section XI.
Instructors must also complete and submit their annual instructor report to the state
coordinator every year.
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
B. Should an instructor’s certification lapse, the individual must repeat the training at an
instructor certification workshop. It is suggested that certified instructors attend a
training update workshop every 5 - 7 years.
C. Renewal will be required of all instructors when new teaching materials become
available or when a program change is initiated by the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting
Sports Advisory Committee which requires an update.
D. Certified, active instructors may attain an additional discipline certification by
participating and attending a training workshop specific for the discipline desired if
the individual attends this workshop within 18 months of initial certification.
VIII. Duties of Certified Instructors
A. To provide basic instruction to youth.
B. To communicate to the County Extension Office about their club program.
C. All instructors must teach a minimum of four hours in their respective discipline to
youth every year and complete and submit their annual instructor report to remain a
certified instructor in their respective discipline. Instructors must attend updates or
retraining sessions, as needed, and as required by the Nebraska State 4-H SS
Advisory Committee.
D. It is strongly suggested that all certified instructors and youth secure additional
accident insurance.
IX. Instructor Training
Instructor training will consist of the following phases:
A. Explanation of the program.
B. Registration cards (purpose).
C. Methods of Instruction:
1. Lesson outline and use of an outline
2. Instruction manual
3. Various methods-actual experiences, demonstrations, role playing, lecture, class
involvement, simulated experience, visual aids, exhibits, and hands-on.
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
X. Instructor Code of Ethics
A. All certified instructors will adhere to the 4-H philosophy and goals.
B. Instructors should demonstrate a positive role model for youth to follow.
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Code of Ethics
A complete 4-H shooting sports program must convey life skills development and be
presented in such a way that is safe, technically competent, and helps to instill 4-H values
in participants through teaching and example. Certified shooting sports instructors and
volunteers must be cognizant of their role as a moral and ethical mentor, as well as
teacher, to youth and adults in their state and community.
As a 4-H shooting sports instructor or volunteer:
I will respect the participants, volunteers and property associated with the 4-H shooting
sports program.
I will set a good example as a mentor and role model for 4-H shooting sports youth and
volunteer leaders.
I will conduct myself and my 4-H shooting sports program in a professional and ethical
manner.
I will strive to be knowledgeable of the life skills embodied in the 4-H shooting sports
program and aid positively in the development of youth through adherence to those
principles.
I will strive to be technically competent in the subject matter I teach and adhere to the
state and national 4-H shooting sports guidelines and curriculum.
I will respect the dignity of each participant in the 4-H shooting sports program
regardless of gender, origin, ability, achievement, or conviction.
XI. Record Keeping
Shooting Sports instructors should keep accurate, thorough, up-to-date records of their
training activities meetings each year. There are many formats that can be used to record
this information. An example is provided in the Risk Management Section (Activities
Log) of the discipline/club instructor manual. The 4-H Shooting Sports Activity Log, or a
similar form containing the requested information, must be kept as long as the instructor
remains active in the shooting sports program or a minimum of five years, whichever is
greater.
XII. Paintball Policy
The purpose of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program is to promote youth development
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
through the safe and responsible use of Archery equipment and firearms. Pointing any
type of firearm including air guns, laser guns or laser sighting devises at any person or
any humanoid or tombstone target is inappropriate and dangerous. Therefore, the
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Program is unequivocally opposed to such use in the 4-H
program.
XIII. Footwear Policy
Any participant while on the shooting line or shooting course in any outdoor 4-H
shooting sports event; including club programs, training programs and competitions, will
be required to wear shoes that completely cover their feet. Examples of footwear that are
not acceptable include, but are not limited to: sandals, clogs, crocks, flip flops and bare
feet. Shoes that have holes, perforations, open tops, open backs, or open sides are not
acceptable footwear while participating on the shooting line or shooting course with any
firearm, pellet rifle or archery equipment.
XIV. Risk Management
Recommended Management Procedures for county programs:
A. State 4-H volunteer leader procedures and policies followed - Leader enrollment
forms completed, signed, if needed, approved and on file in the Extension Office for
all certified SS leaders. All instruction must be done under the supervision of a
Nebraska 4-H certified SS leader. Work closely with the 4-H Youth Development
Program staff person in each county to meet state guidelines for volunteer leaders.
B. Code of Conduct/Release Form - All 4-H members enrolled in the Shooting Sports
projects are to have parent or guardian read and sign the Shooting Sports Code of
Conduct/Release Form before beginning project meetings. The certified instructor or
club leader must ascertain that all members are enrolled in the project and have the
required forms completed before participation. Forms are to be completed on-line
and/or turned into and kept in a permanent file in the Extension Office.
C. Accident Insurance - Each county program should take out special accident insurance
coverage on SS members. The “year” plan offered by specialty insurance companies
is suggested. Many are available at $1 per member per year. All shooting sports
leaders should know the policy number and procedures required. A copy of the policy
should be kept with the certified leader and the original on file in the Extension
office.
D. Emergency Plan - An emergency plan of action should be written and followed for
each training site and/or activity. This plan should consider:
• Potential risks analyzed and procedures planned
Section 3 - 4-H Club Instructor Manual
• Minor incidents/first-aid - who treats or determines procedure (first aid kit)
• Access to emergency medical treatment (telephone on site, phone numbers to
call, transportation, etc.)
• Two-deep leadership (at least two adults on hand) know the plan and
procedures
• Natural catastrophe procedure (fire, tornado, lightning, etc.)
Adopted January 24, 1996
Revised March 2017