Kansas 4-h shooting Sports Policy Update

K-State Research and Extension and 4-H Youth Development are proud to be hosting 4-H Shooting Sports events and activities all across Kansas this summer. This message is a reminder of the most recent policies related to 4-H Shooting Sports and the administration of the program.

State instructor training includes information about how 4-H Shooting Sports Programs may apply for grants and raise funds from donations in order to offset the cost of the program.  When applying for grants, the Extension Unit should complete form KSU 1-13 “Responsibilities for Extension Councils/District Administration of Extramural Funds” and present it to the Extension board for review and approval.  Form KSU 1-13: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/boardleadership/doc8207.ashx

4-H Shooting Sports is unique in how it is organized and administered in extension units.  To offer any of the shooting sports project disciplines, each Extension Unit must have a Kansas State trained coordinator and a Kansas State trained discipline specific instructor for each discipline offered in their unit.  Agents are not authorized to act as a coordinator in the event their volunteer quits or they have not had a coordinator in recent years.  An agent can participate as the coordinator if they elect to take the Coordinator Certification training.  Refer to the State Shooting Sports Plan and to determine how units can operate when there is a transition between coordinators.

It is recommended that 4-H enrollment forms provided to prospective members only list the disciplines that are available, due to lack of certified instructors.  For example, if the unit does not have a certified shotgun instructor, then the discipline is not available to the members.  If the extension unit does not have a certified 4-H shooting sports coordinator, then the entire project is not available. In the event that an existing shooting sports program loses their coordinator, a neighboring unit’s coordinator can be asked to fill in until a new volunteer can be certified as a coordinator.  A new coordinator must be certified at the next training or at least within two certified trainings.

Recruiting of youth from other extension units or counties to create a “Super Team” is not allowed.  However, if both extension units Executive Boards agree, a member may take instruction and training under a certified instructor in a neighboring unit when their Extension Unit does not have a certified instructor in their discipline until a certified instructor can be trained.  The youth would stay enrolled in their home county and would be required to have their Extension Agent and the certified instructor from the neighboring unit sign for any attempt to compete in any discipline related matches. The certified instructor must verify when a shooter can safely participate in discipline activities beyond local training.   

In addition, remember Clover Buds, because of their age, are not allowed to participate in the shooting sports project, and our liability insurance does not cover them.

Much of what we do in 4-H Shooting Sports is to mitigate the inherent risks associated with the sport.  Trained certified instructors and coordinators are an essential part of risk management as well as  the liability insurance that covers all active certified instructors.  The annual renewal report and process is to help insure the integrity of the program and provide a current list of those insured.  This list is also the reference used to assure that each active Extension Unit program has a certified coordinator and   certified instructors for each discipline offered.