At each annual business meeting we discuss how we might become more successful at attracting younger shooters. It’s fairly easy to identify the obstacles to establishing a successful junior club, but it is a whole lot more difficult to chart the path that leads to success.
Some clubs are successful in high schools because of JROTC. And 4H has successful programs for shooting. The foundation for success there is having some underlying institution or program that attracts young people.
On the other hand, the Joplin club is successful without any underlying institutional foundation other than the club. And a number of the juniors who now shoot at Joplin are not the offspring of club members–they really don’t have a background in competition. I’d call that a situation where the excellence of the club is attracting young people on its own merits. It was not always that way, but now the program seems to attract young people based on its success and reputation. How do they do that?
I think what Joplin has, that we would have to emulate is this:
1. An indoor range under the control of the club. It’s not necessary to itemize all the problems this one item eliminates.
2. Frequent opportunities to shoot–once a week (at least) is best.
3. A clear set of goals and objectives. Joplin uses the Junior Distinguished program as its goal.
4. Intermediate objectives (similar to the NRA classification system) allow for medals and awards for achieving certain thresholds in score. It is important to see rewards for the work and time invested.
5. A competitive program both within the club and against other juniors.
6. Kind, gentle, leadership. And an infinite amount of patience.
7. Resources.
Most of these are fairly easily accomplished, the indoor range and the leadership being the two sticking points, in my estimation. I would certainly be willing to take care of the planning, paperwork and logistics, and the club could most likely afford to find a room someplace for an air rifle range.
At least 3 adults in our club would have to commit to holding the range open one night a week–all 3 wouldn’t have to be there each time, because, especially for the first few years, there is likely to be relatively low turnout.
It seems to be the case that one or two people with junior relatives interested in shooting usually get the ball rolling as leaders. It’s good to have an investment. After a while, the rewards of coaching a functioning junior team are self-evident…it just feels good, and the shooters don’t have to be relatives. They become friends.
So, who wants to volunteer to get the ball rolling?
williamcorcoran@missouristate.edu