Introduction

4-H Shooting Sports provides youth with opportunities to develop leadership, responsibility, self-confidence, and sportsmanship while learning safe and ethical shooting practices. Our program is made possible by dedicated volunteers who serve as certified instructors and positive role models.

Why Volunteers Matter

The 4-H Shooting Sports Program is volunteer-led, and trained instructors are essential to providing safe, educational, and engaging experiences for youth. Volunteers help teach safety, responsibility, sportsmanship, and leadership while ensuring youth have access to the shooting sports disciplines offered in their community.

Here are some of the ways volunteers make a difference in a young person's life:

• Mentor youth and help them build confidence.
• Teach lifelong safety skills.
• Share your passion for the outdoors and shooting sports.
• Help youth develop leadership and responsibility.
• Build stronger families and communities through positive experiences.

What Do Shooting Sports Volunteers Do?

Although not a complete list (please see the Shooting Sports Volunteer Job Description), here are some things to expect as a Shooting Sports Volunteer:

• Assist with practices.
• Teach discipline-specific skills.
• Serve as a certified Level I Instructor in a shooting sports discipline.
• Help maintain a safe learning environment.
• Support parish, regional, and state events.
• Encourage youth growth and achievement.

Available Disciplines in St. Landry Parish

Currently, these are the disciplines offered in the St. Landry Parish 4-H Shooting Sports Program:

• Archery
• Shotgun
• Smallbore Rifle

Who Can Volunteer?

To become a Level I Instructor, volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and have completed a state level 4-H shooting sports workshop in the specific discipline they will be teaching. Volunteers who want to help with practices but have not completed the required Level I Instructor training, can also serve as an Assistant Coach to the Instructor.

How to Become a Shooting Sports Instructor?

If you are completely new to the process, start at #1. If you have already enrolled in 4-H Online as a volunteer for the program year and completed the required screenings and trainings, skip to #4.

1. Enroll Online
   1. To register as an adult volunteer leader, enroll using 4-H Online.
   2. If you have never logged on before, click on "Sign Up".
   3. For step-by-step instructions on how to create an account, please reference the 4-H Online Family Enrollment Guide.
2. Complete Volunteer Screening (Volunteers that work directly with youth must complete a background screening every 4 years)
   1. Screening is initiated when you begin your 4-H Online account.
   2. Click on "Go to Sterling Volunteers".
   3. Complete form to allow background screening on Sterling Volunteers website.
   4. Parish 4-H staff cannot approve enrollment until Sterling screening results are complete.
3. Complete Required Training
   1. Complete the Risk Management I and II Trainings and pass the knowledge check.
4. Register for State 4-H Shooting Sports Training
   1. Login to your 4-H Online account.
   2. Click Member List on left-hand menu (if the system does not automatically bring you to that screen).
   3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. You should see all the events you can register for.
   4. Find the State 4-H Shooting Sports Trainings and choose the correct date and location for the training you want to attend. Click register to begin the registration process.
   5. Note, if you don't see the trainings listed under events, you may need to re-enroll in 4-H Online. Click on the "Enroll Now" option next to your name under the Member List. Once you have re-enrolled, your parish will approve your enrollment, and you will be able to register for a training.

If you have any questions about the Shooting Sports Program or how to become a volunteer, please reach out to the St. Landry 4-H Office at 337-948-0561.