BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA® NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS MANUAL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA® NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS MANUAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Boy Scouts of America greatly appreciates the National Shooting Sports Task Force and sub-task force members for their expertise and recommendations in the development of the Boy Scouts of America National Shooting Sports Manual. For their substantial contributions to the writing of this manual and commitment to Scouting, the BSA would also like to thank Larry Quandahl, Mark Belli, and Connie Elliott of the National Rifle Association, Youth Programs Education and Training Division. A Word About Youth Protection Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting. Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. For that reason, the BSA continues to create barriers to abuse beyond what have previously existed in Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies, and provides parents and leaders with numerous online and print resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs. The BSA requires Youth Protection training for all registered leaders. New leaders are required to complete Youth Protection training. To take the training online, go to www.MyScouting.org and establish an account using the member number you receive when you register for BSA membership. If you take the training online before you obtain a member number, be sure to return to MyScouting and enter your number for training record credit. Your BSA local council also provides training on a regular basis if you cannot take it online. For more information, refer to the back of the BSA adult membership application, No. 524-501. Youth Protection training must be taken every two years—regardless of position. If a volunteer does not meet the BSA’s Youth Protection training requirement at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered. We encourage all adults, including all parents, to take the BSA’s Youth Protection training. To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent’s Guide in any of the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx. Revised October 2011 430-938 ISBN 978-0-8395-0004-9 ©2015 Boy Scouts of America 2015 Printing INTRODUCTION The BSA’s National Shooting Sports Committee understands the need for clarification in the terminology and delivery of the BSA shooting sports programs. The National Rifle Association, working with the BSA and the Shooting Sports Committee, reviewed BSA documents referencing shooting sports and has compiled that information into this new format, putting the information under one cover. This manual contains all BSA-approved shooting sports activities and must be adhered to. No other shooting sports are authorized at this time. Information on approved firearms, ranges, qualified supervision, training requirements, targets, and ammunition is included. Updates of this manual between printings will be available at www.scouting.org/outdoorprograms under the “Shooting Sports” tab. Section I, “The Essentials,” contains information important and relevant to all individuals involved in the shooting sports programs. This includes leaders, merit badge counselors, council shooting sports chairs, council shooting sports committee members, National Camping School shooting sports directors, council camping committees, camp personnel, professionals, and all others who may be assisting in the various shooting sports programs. Sections II through VI contain information relevant and necessary for individuals involved in shooting sports on a higher level and providing the program for 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. CONTENTS Section I The Essentials Chapter 1: Qualified Supervision—Roles and Responsibilities .................................................................9 Introduction to Shooting Sports and the Positive Aspects .......................................................9 Shooting Sports Personnel Descriptions ...................................................................................9 Definition of “Instructor Qualified” .........................................................................................10 Five Levels of Shooting Activities ...........................................................................................11 Chapter 2: BSA Shooting Sports—A Wealth of Year-Round Opportunities ............................................41 Cub Scout Programs .................................................................................................................41 Boy Scout and Varsity Scout Programs ...................................................................................41 Venturing and Sea Scout Programs ..........................................................................................42 Chapter 3: Merit Badge Counselors ...........................................................................................................44 Shooting Sports Merit Badge Counselor Requirements and Registration ..............................44 Summer Camp Merit Badge Counselors ..................................................................................44 Resources for Merit Badge Counselors ....................................................................................44 Section II Beyond the Unit Level Chapter 4: Council Shooting Sports Committees ......................................................................................49 Organization .............................................................................................................................49 Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................49 Chapter 5: Range Operation .......................................................................................................................50 General Equipment Common to All Scouting Program Levels and Shooting Disciplines ....50 Range and Shooting Equipment Appropriate to Each Scouting Program Level ....................51 Section III Health and Safety Chapter 6: Safety ........................................................................................................................................61 Guide to Safe Scouting .............................................................................................................61 Communications ......................................................................................................................61 Emergency Response Plans ......................................................................................................61 National Camping Standards ...................................................................................................62 Standard Operating Procedures ...............................................................................................62 Archery Safety Guidelines .......................................................................................................62 Equipment Inspections—Firearms and Archery .....................................................................62 Chapter 7: Health Considerations ..............................................................................................................63 General ......................................................................................................................................63 Section IV Training Chapter 8: Training Courses .......................................................................................................................67 BSA Training ............................................................................................................................67 National Rifle Association Training.........................................................................................67 Archery Training ......................................................................................................................69 Section V Archery and BB Guns Chapter 9: Introduction ..............................................................................................................................73 Leadership ................................................................................................................................73 BSA National Camping School Shooting Sports Director ......................................................73 Directing Shooting Sports in a Council Program ....................................................................73 Safety Instruction Guidelines ..................................................................................................74 Positive Aspects of Shooting Sports ........................................................................................74 4 Boy Scouts of America