4-H Project S.A.F.E. Wrap-Up

It’s safe to say that thousands of coaches, parents and students across this great state have something to do with the 4-H Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness Fun and Education) program. From the fourth grader in their first year of shooting a bow to the senior in high school who can hit 25 for 25 clay pigeons on a modified-trap course, there seems to be an opportunity to participate for any interested student.

The most recent Project S.A.F.E. event was the annual 4-H Modified Trap shooting competition held May 13 in Putnam County. This year’s event attracted 900 young shooters, all of whom were vying to be the best of the best and to take home the first-place title.

GON attended this event and continues to be impressed with the number of coaches and parents who accompany these talented kids and support them in their endeavors.

Those results are on these two pages, and a host of other 4-H shooting sports results are on pages 67-72.

For more on the 4-H Project S.A.F.E. program, call your county extension office, or go to www.georgia4h.org/safe.

Georgia 4-H Project S.A.F.E.

Shooting Sports are extremely popular in Georgia. Georgia 4-H takes advantage of this popularity to merge its youth development expertise with fun, hands-on shooting sports’ disciplines to benefit thousands of youth in nearly 100 counties.

4-H Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) includes the following disciplines: BB, air rifle, air pistol, 22 rifle, archery, modified trap and trap/skeet/sporting clays. 4-H’ers in grades 4-12 participate in age appropriate disciplines.

Caring adult volunteers who have completed certified coaches’ training provide primary leadership to county 4-H SAFE Clubs. While these volunteers have considerable shooting sports skills, they focus on the development of the whole child. We are most interested in developing well-rounded young people. If a young person also becomes a champion marksman, that is an added benefit.

Georgia 4-H Project S.A.F.E. has the following objectives:

• Enhance youth development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activities.

• To involve youth in a life skills program that teaches safe and responsible use of firearms, including sound decision-making, self-discipline and concentration.

• To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.

• To expose participants to life-long activities related to shooting sports.

• To strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities.

• To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety, shooting and hunter-education programs using hands-on educational methods.

Contact your local county extension office to inquire about local adult volunteer or youth participation opportunities. That web address is http://extension.uga.edu/about/county/index.cfm.