Released: August 18, 2020
4-H Shooting Sports charges ahead to fall season
Youth have begun qualifying for state contests
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The state coordinator for Kansas 4-H shooting sports says the program is on target to host state contests in several disciplines this fall.
Shannon Rogge, a Kansas 4-H Youth Development specialist, said qualifying events began in early August and will continue through the end of the month.
“The state matches are going to look a little different this year,” Rogge said. “How different depends on the location and the discipline and how many kids that we normally expect in a year. With COVID-19 restrictions, we are changing how all of that will look a little bit.”
Right now, she said, the schedule of state matches this fall includes:
- Sept. 26 – archery (Lindsborg).
- Oct. 3 – hunting skills, muzzle loading and small bore (Topeka).
- Oct. 10-11 – shotgun (Wichita).
- Oct. 17-18 – Western heritage (location TBD).
“A lot of things haven’t gone as planned (since the pandemic began) but we are doing our best to have those state matches this year,” Rogge said. “We are still in the process of finalizing those plans and will get that information out soon to counties and local coordinators.”
Information on the events is available on the Kansas 4-H website, from local Kansas extension agents, or on the Kansas 4-H Natural Resources Facebook page.
“Our program is very structured because of the need for increased safety with the youth,” Rogge said. “They learn how to appropriately handle the firearm and archery equipment, but in that process, they also learn a lot about self-discipline and goal-setting. The actual shooting or using a bow is the fun part, but our instructors are very good about teaching everything that leads up to that point.”
Each qualifying and state contest has certified instructors, Rogge said. “When kids are not safe, they can’t learn,” she said. “Safety first, then we can do the learning and the fun stuff.”
Persons interested in becoming certified to teach shooting sports in Kansas are encouraged to contact their local extension office. A statewide training for instructors is scheduled Nov. 7-8 in Cimmaron, Rogge said.
“Instructor training is important for the future of our shooting sports program,” she said. “And we need to renew our volunteer base every year.”
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FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS:
Kansas 4-H, www.kansas4-h.org
K-State Research and Extension, local offices, www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html
Kansas 4-H Natural Resources Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Kansas4HNaturalResources
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu
More information:
Shannon Rogge
785-532-5800
Story by:
Pat Melgares
785-532-1160
