The purpose of the Buckeye Council BSA, Marksmanship and Safety Committee is to manage and provide resources to the council, the Outdoor Programs committee, and council camps for all activities involving shooting sports whether during summer camps or during year-round shooting opportunities. All shooting sports activities should be coordinated through a shooting sports committee such as the Marksmanship and Safety Committee to verify that a safe and responsible program is planned and conducted by properly trained and currently certified personnel.
Throughout the Boy Scouts of America from Cub Scouting to Venturing and Sea Scouting, all program divisions use responsible outdoor activities to promote character development and values-based leadership training. Shooting sports have the ability to attract and retain youth in the movement. Millions of young people participate in one or more of the sports annually—archery, rifle shooting, shotgun activities, etc.—guided by adult volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to provide quality programs in a safe and effective way.
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.
This includes NRA instructors, NRA range safety officers, council shooting sports chairs, council shooting sports committee members, NRA coaches, council professionals, camping committees, camp rangers, National Camping School shooting sports directors, and all others involved in helping to organize events and assisting in the delivery of shooting programs throughout the year.
As a Scout becomes more proficient in his shooting knowledge, skills, and abilities, the amount of training and range supervision change. The “Five Levels” have been developed as a planning guide to organize and conduct a safe Scouting shooting activity. Included are the major firearm disciplines: rifle, pistol, shotgun, and muzzleloading. For each discipline, you will find the necessary topics that should be considered as you plan your event.
In general, the five levels are:
- A first-time shooting experience
- Open shooting experience
- Ongoing shooting experience
- Competitive shooting
- Becoming an instructor
Whether a Scout unit is going to the local Scout camp or gun club range or participating in a shooting event at a district or council camporee, these guidelines are to be followed by those in charge of the gun shooting activity.
Throughout the year the Marksmanship and Safety Committee trains volunteer leaders as instructors in:
- NRA Rifle
- NRA Pistol
- NRA Shotgun
- NRA Muzzleloader
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA Range Safety Officer
- USAA Archery level 1 and 2 instructor
- BSA Rangemaster for BB Gun
- BSA Rangemaster for Archery
- BSA Rangemaster for Sling Shot
- BSA Rangemaster for Tomahawk
- Stop the Bleed
Which in turn creates Merit Badge Counselors, Instructors, Safety personnel, and some of the most safety-oriented adults in the BSA program. The Committee covers 7 Districts in the State of Ohio and puts on several Marksmanship activities at Shooter-ee camps, Merit badge clinics, Summer camps, Family Adventure Camps, and Day camps to name a few.
Meetings
We meet via ZOOM on the 2nd Monday of the month at 630p. To join the meeting please email us at marksmanship.safety@gmail.com to receive the Link.
Contact
Our Contact information is email: marksmanship.safety@gmail.com. We are looking for new members and our training is open to all Scouters. For further information, email us.
Trainings
There are a number of training opportunities for adults to attend. Click the button below to learn more.