SHOOTING SPORTS
SCOUTING SHOOTING SPORTS
Purpose of BSA Shooting Sports
The purpose of BSA shooting sports is to teach firearm safety while introducing youth to a variety of shooting sports programs. The BSA’s shooting sports programs are developed and implemented through age-appropriate training and experiences.
The Boy Scouts of America adheres to its longstanding policy of teaching its youth and adult members the safe, responsible, and intelligent handling, care, and use of firearms, archery, and hand-held throwing sports in planned, carefully managed, and supervised programs for each youth who chooses to participate.
Shooting Sports Manual *UPDATED 2022*
This revised manual replaces all previous versions and has a revision date of 1/2022. The updated BSA Shooting Sports Manual clarifies who can operate which types of shooting sports programs for which BSA program level. It also serves to clarify the proper supervision and qualifications needed for unit coordinated shooting sports programs.
Reminder: Cub Scouts may only participate in shooting sports at a district or council event or activity. Shooting Sports is prohibited at the Cub Scout pack or den level.
As a reminder the Guide to Safe Scouting states that any shooting sports programs not detailed in our program literature or the shooting sports manual are prohibited.
Download the Shooting Sports Manual
Program Specific Information
Cub Scouts Shooting Sports
Scouts BSA Shooting Sports
Venturing & Sea Scout Shooting Sports
Scouting Pistol Safety and Marksmanship Participant book #622175– This guide should be handed out to each participant in the BSA Pistol Safety and Marksmanship program.
Shooting Sports and National Camping School/NCAP
Shooting Sports is an important part of our BSA camping operations. In order to have a safe and fun shooting sports program, the BSA has set forth safety standards and training for all volunteers and staff who will be in charge of Shooting Sports Activities. For a complete list of these standards, see the links below.
NRA Instructor course listings:
February 24-26, 2023 Camp Flying Eagle, Bradenton Florida
March 31-April 2 Camp Gorton, Dundee, New York
April 13-15, 2023 Camp Pigott, Snohomish, Washington
April 14-16, 2023 Camp Loud Thunder, Illinois City, Illinois
April 28-30, 2023 Camp Cherokee, Yanceyville, North Carolina
April 28-30, 2023 Camp Heritage, Farmington, Pennsylvania
May 4-6, 2023 Camp Tracy, Salt Lake City Utah
May 12-14, 2023 Camp Phillips, Rice Lake, Wisconson
June 7-9, 2023 Massawepie, Tupper Lake, New York
Additional Dates will be added here as they are confirmed.
NRA Instructor Course Pre-Requisites: All BSA shooting sports candidates MUST take a basic student class in their discipline before attending the instructor class. Therefore, before you can attend and be certified as a NRA Rifle and Shotgun instructor, you MUST already have taken and passed NRA Basic Rifle and Shotgun classes. The BSA and NRA offer these courses at discounted prices across the country or you can attend any commercial NRA Basic Rifle and Shotgun classes. To find a Basic Rifle and/or Shotgun course in your area, please visit: www.nrainstructors.org .
Once completed you will need to bring proof of completion with you to the instructor course. You will also need to bring your student materials with you to the course.
The instructor course will ask you to be able to follow a syllabus and instruct materials during the class. The materials will be sent to from the NRA training counselor prior to the course. You will need to have access to use the digital files during your instructor course, so it is recommended that you bring a laptop computer or tablet with you to the course.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the contact for your course listed below or email [email protected] 
.
BSA Pistol Safety and Marksmanship Training
Marksmanship course listings:
April 28-30, 2023 Camp Shands, Hawthorne, Florida
April 28-30, 2023 Bud Schiele, Rutherford, North Carolina
May 12-14, 2023 Camp Loud Thunder, Illinois City, Illinois
June 9-11, 2023 Camp Workcoeman, New Hartford, Connecticut
August 18-20, 2023 Camp Tiak, Wiggins, MS
August 25-27, 2023 Griswold Scout Reservation, Gilmanton, NH
Prerequisites:
- Councils wishing to offer the program also need to complete the Shooting Sports Application to be able to offer the program and for the candidate to be admitted to the course.
- The candidate must be approved by the local council
- The candidate must agree to help the local council in the year round program
- Candidates must be certified in NRA Pistol Instructor and present those certificates,cards to the Chief BSA Scouting Pistol Safety and Marksmanship Instructor. The Chief Instructor will confirm that the candidates are eligible to attend the course based on this information. (Prior to arrival at the course)
- The candidates must have read and reviewed the NRA Basic of Pistol Shooting Lesson Plan-ILT and be familiar and read the power points of NRA Basic of Pistol Shooting lesson plans.
- The candidate must have taught the basic of Pistol Shooting Course at least twice in the last six months. Each of these courses must have a minimum of 2 students. These course must be documented in the NRA Instructors website and confirmed by the Chief BSA Scouting Pistol Safety and Marksmanship Instructor.
- The candidate must bring a copy of the lessons plans and the power points. The candidate must be proactive before coming to the course. This means the candidate must have rehearsed delivering syllabuses.
- The candidate must be able to pass the NRA Pistol Instructor course of fire using a .22 cal pistol.
As a reminder this program requires two individuals both of whom are certified in BSA Pistol Marksmanship and at least one of whom is additionally certified as a NRA Range Safety Officer.
During the course:
- The candidates will present the entire course to the instructors facilitating the course.
- The instructors will evaluate each candidate for proficiency and competence while teaching the lesson plans.
- The course instructors will make recommendations for improvement and the instructor candidates will present the entire BSA Scouting Pistol Safety and Marksmanship class to youth. This instruction will determine whether the candidate will successfully complete the course and be certified. Candidates who are found to be deficient in presenting the lessons plans will not pass this course.
Additional information regarding BSA Pistol Shooting activities, training and requirements
Chalk Ball, Sporting Arrows, Pistol Safety and Marksmanship program, Cowboy Action Shooting
If your council plans to offer these programs, you must complete the Shooting Sports Application prior to offering these activities. (This application must be submitted annually)
Additional Shooting Sports Resources
BSA Range Design Standards
Download the design document: range design
Your council must engage an architect or engineer locally to ensure your final design incorporates local geography and is meeting all local standards and laws for your county or state. The guidelines established are minimum standards, the final design must contain the projectile within the range. Designing an all-purpose range is not desirable because of the specific differences in the disciplines.
Procedures to Use Public or Private Property for a Shooting Sports Range
This worksheet must be used to determine if public or private land is suitable for use as a shooting sports range.
Contact at: [email protected]