Table of Contents
Welcome to the page dedicated to all things related to shooting.
Archery, BB Guns, Sling Shots, .22 Rifles, Shotguns, Black Powder, Centerfire Rifle, Pistols, Chalkball, and Tomahawks.
There are many fun, exciting program elements that can be incorporated into any Scouting Unit’s activities planning. We know one of the most exciting of which is shooting sports, which are meant to teach our youth the knowledge and appreciation for safe handling of everything from sling shots to BB guns.
In Scouting, we will not compromise the safety of our youth, volunteers, and employees. Safety is a value that must be taught and reinforced at every opportunity. We are all responsible and must hold each other accountable to provide a safe environment for all participants. As such, all of our Shooting Sports Activities must adhere to the Official Shooting Sports Manual put forth by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Vision Statement
To stimulate the use of shooting sports as a program feature within the Scouting community by providing safe standardized events and programs that yield significant rewards.
Mission Statement
To provide leadership to caring adult volunteers who possess the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to ensure the provision of quality shooting sports programs in a safe and effective way.
Our Objectives
To provide the required training for Scouters in Districts and for Units as well as Merit Badge instruction so they may hold shooting events that meet BSA National Standards.
To certify range facilities which are not on Crater Lake Council property for use as a component of the Scouting program, and to ensure that all BSA rules are understood and followed by all facility personnel and Scout leaders.
To promote BSA age appropriate shooting sports and the use of qualified supervision at shooting sport events as defined by the Shooting Sports Manual and guide to safe scouting
Upcoming Shooting Sport Events
Cub Scout Events
Scouts BSA Events
Frequently Asked Questions
From the Guide to Advancement:
The qualifications below for shooting sports-related merit badge counseling and supervision not only assist in managing risk, but also give counselors credibility. Current policies are found at www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss08/#a and supersede any other publications or literature. See the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual for further details on shooting sports.
Archery. Archery activities must be supervised by a BSA National Camping School-trained shooting sports director or USA Archery or National Field Archery Association instructor, or by someone who has been trained by one of the three; or alternatively, the activities may be supervised by someone with at least Level 1 training in the operation of an archery range from USA Archery, NFAA, or an equivalent.
Rifle Shooting. The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring that all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified BSA National Camping School (NCS) shooting sports director, or National Rifle Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/National Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA)-certified muzzleloader firearms instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRA certified Range Safety Officer (RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. The supervisor and instructor may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.
Shotgun Shooting. The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring that all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised by a certified NCS shooting sports director or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/NMLRA-certified muzzleloading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be supervised by an NRAcertified Range Safety Officer. If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges may provide RSOs.
All certifications listed above must be current.
The required qualifications above for merit badge counseling and supervision not only assist in managing risk, but also give counselors credibility. Scouts will see them as people of importance they can look up to and learn from. A well-qualified counselor can extend a young person’s attention span: More will be heard and understood, discussions will be more productive, and true interest will be developed. The conversations can lead to a relationship of mutual respect where the Scout is confident enough to offer thoughts and opinions, and to value those of the merit badge counselor. Thus it is that social skills and self-reliance grow, and examples are set and followed.
In approving counselors, the local council advancement committee has the authority to establish a higher minimum, reasonable level of skills and education for the counselors of a given merit badge than is indicated in “Qualifications of Counselors,” 7.0.1.1. For example, NRA certification could be established as a council standard for approving counselors for the Rifle Shooting or Shotgun Shooting merit badges.
Ranges must be approved by the Council for Scouting-based activities before a Scouting activity may be conducted on their premises.* We have worked alongside local ranges and approved them for Scouting program activities that pertain to shooting sports.
Off Camp Ranges Approved for Unit Shooting Activities
Redmond Rod and Gun Club
9020 S Highway 97, Redmond, OR 97756
Bend Bowmen
21140 Knott Rd, Bend, OR 97702
Ashland Gun and Archery Club
555 Emigrant Creek Rd, Ashland, OR 97520
If you don’t see your favorite range or there is one in your area that you wish to use please email shootingsportscraterlakebsa@groups.io and give us details so we can make a visit.
*Shooting Sports activities for Cub Scout programs are only allowed at Council events.
Where can I get trained?
The Purpose of BSA shooting sports is to introduce youth to shooting. The BSA shooting programs are based on age appropriateness and safety with the goal of developing a positive shooting experience for each youth. That means that it is vital for our adult volunteer leaders that want to help guide our Scouts in learning shooting sports to also be trained to handle firearms and other shooting sport type equipment. Training opportunities will be listed here for adult leaders to register for classes so that they are able to be those teachers.