This thread "Sports That Attract New Shooters" Got me thinking about a letter I had been planning to write. I am open to thoughts and adjustments. All that can happen is that they may look, laugh, and round-file.
Proposal to Investigation of Cooperation with 4-H
To further Develop Youth BB Gun Match League
Even if one is not inclined toward shooting sports, I encourage you to consider this from the point of view of lodge promotion as the youth's parents see the lodge being active in this community-building activity.
This proposal uses a 4-H program that currently exists. As such, it is not so much about building a programme as it is about increasing access to a programme that already exists, this 4H programme. The current State Spring Match (BB Gun, Air Pistol, Air Rifle) is scheduled for April 20, 2024 in Great Bend, KS. The 2024 Daisy Nationals will be held June 30th through July 3rd (note: This link contains an excellent introduction to this programme). This activity already has a body of rules developed by 4-H, BB-Gun rules begin on page 8. The full K-State, Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports Handbook can be found here.
This is a sport intended for children from 9-15 years of age[1]. It involves a 5-yard course of fire from single-shot BB guns. The BB Guns to be used are limited to a single model, the Daisy Model 499b Champion Competition Air Rifle.
That said, the National 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor webpage makes the point that:
Civic Engagement, Healthy Living, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathamatics (STEM) are requriements of every 4-H program. It is our duty to insure we teach these to our youth to help them reach their full potential. Remember, the shooting sports program isn’t only a shooting program, it is Positive Youth Development program.
That said, this is being presented to the Grand Lodge of Kansas because team sponsoring and development is not something that is best done by a single lodge. With multiple lodges participating, positive local competition between lodges, in a district, can only serve to improve the youth performance and better familiarise the parents with area lodges, increasing the possibility of increased membership.
[My Lodge] is in the City of [This City]. This is a link to Ordinance No. [x], which indicates that this would be a lawful indoor activity. I include it because, while this ordinance applies only to [This City], I expect most other lodges would also find this to be a lawful indoor activity[2].
Desired Grand Lodge Participation:
1. Communicate with 4-H to work out any details as may be appropriate for such a potential expansion of their existing programme[3].
2. Communicate this programme to lodges throughout Kansas as a positive community involvement and youth development opportunity.
3. Ideally, again, in coordination with established 4-H policies and procedures, while not as necessary as points 1 & 2, to assist in sponsoring any lodge team that qualifies at the state level in their participation in the national competition.
4. Again, while not as necessary as points 1 & 2, it would be helpful for the lodges participating if the Grand Lodge would purchase, or sponsor the purchase of the rifles and safety equipment, such as safety glasses and other items recommended by 4-H.
5. To restate the points in 2 & 3, The most important thing the Grand Lodge can do are the communication and coordination activities described in points 1 & 2.
Thank You,
Brother [Hasaf]
[My Lodge]
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[1] Age Requirements: 4-H age 9-11 year olds before Jan. 1, 2024 = Juniors 4-H age 12-Actual age 15 years old at 1st shot of the match = Seniors Competitors may compete until their 16th Birthday. The eligibility of competitors is determined by the date of the first shot going down range.
[2] The unlawful operation of an air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paintball gun is the shooting, discharge or operating of any air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paint ball gun, within the city, except: (a) within the confines of a building or other structure from which the projectiles cannot escape . . .
[3] While I am a full time Middle-School teacher, I would be glad to assist, in this step, in any way that I can.
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