| Author | Message | ||
     Nukeblue |
anyone ever do this? going to go through it with my son this year. looks like a great time. esp the two day along with the classroom stuff http://appleseedinfo.org/index.html | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cool. They are apparently doing this at my club up in Wilmington (CCFSA). | ||
| Aesquire |
I can tell you from experience, that children raised in households that do some form of martial arts are better students and citizens. Children taught to shoot have more self confidence, based on accomplishment, not meaningless trophies for everyone so no one feels bad. Yo do have to "teach your children well". Safety, respect, and repetition are the key, with patience and a sense of oncoming boredom vital. Most kids, not all, will get very into improving their skills, some will get frustrated at a lack of instant progress. Reactive targets, hanging cans, balloons, fruit, etc. can be a real incentive if used as "reward" targets, allowing ALL the kids to pick one and target it at the end of a session. If I'm doing one on one marksmanship, a can on a string hanging from a branch, fairly low so that dust from misses is visible, can be used as a "dueling" target, taking turns moving the can. More mature children really get into paper punching, but kids of all ages like a swinging can, and even us stodgy old farts love to play "Gallagher" with some over ripe fruit. Those hideous little plastic barrels of colored sugar water are pretty impressive too. The first time a child takes a .22 and makes something explode is a moment of beauty. I also deal with college students a lot, and often with zero experience, never shot anything, ever. Black powder ( I use sugar based substitutes, usually, since they are easier to get ) rifles, in flintlock & cap lock configs, really seem to give college kids a thrill. An accurate rifle, like a Thompson Center Hawken, is a great aid to generating enthusiasm. Having a young lady take her first shot, ever, with a mild recoiling smoke pole, and not get hurt while actually hitting a target ( reactive, by choice, and where allowed ) at reasonable short ranges ( 20-50 years ) almost always gets a request for a repeat. They're hooked. The practice of handing a newbie a 3" magnum 12 ga. and laughing at the pain is really stupid, IMHO, and really turns off folk to the sport, sometimes forever. The big kickers should be saved for when the enthusiasm level is high, and mild recoil has already been emotionally accepted. Then it's a challenge and THEY laugh. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Nukeblue , Every word I read on the site your link provided was like a breath of fresh air. I hope to see these folks do well and more of this type of thinking grow and prosper. Thanks for posting. Dan. | ||
| Redhatbuell |
Been there, done that and highly recommend! Took my teenage daughter and she still talks about it with enthusiasm. During the breaks between relays and during lunch they broke down 19 Apr 1775 hour by hour. I learned a lot and just missed my Rifleman tab by a couple of points...not bad for using an old .308 Ishapore 2A1 amongst all the 10/22s. Looking forward to going again...ammo permitting. | ||
| Nukeblue |
my boy is 12 & i think he's ready. got him the boyscout 10/22 two years ago. found out he's learning that 'common core' crap at school now. breath of fresh air it will be indeed! they just watched a video on how to run and tell someone if they get punched. never to fight back. wtf! but he told me he thought of me and quit paying attention to the stupid movie. excellent! hey redhat, was thinking of using my m1a. but not wanting to scare the other youth that might be there with my 'report'. think 308 is ok? | ||
| Loki |
Thinkin its time for me to have a go this summer | ||
| Redhatbuell |
Nuke, Go for it! That was what the course was designed for. The range we used had enough room for most of the new shooters and rimfires in one bay and the centerfire guys and old hats in another. We met up at every break for discussion and benchracing. We even had a gentleman bring out and fire an original Brown Bess to show what the Colonists were up against. Damn, that bore was huge! |
