Range & Target Activities
Purpose of Range & Target Activities in Scouting
The purpose of range & target activities in Scouting is to teach firearm safety while introducing youth to a variety of fun, interactive program experiences. Scouting’s range & target activities are developed and implemented through age-appropriate training and experiences.
Scouting 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.
Range and Target Activities Manual - 2024 Edition
This manual replaces all previous versions and has a revision date of 9/2024.
Cub Scouts may only participate in range & target activities at a district or council event or activity. All range & target activities are prohibited at the Cub Scout pack or den level.
The Guide to Safe Scouting states that any range & target activities not detailed in our program literature or the National Range & Target Activities Manual are prohibited.
Download the National Range and Target Activities Manual (2024 Edition)
This publication replaces all previous versions of the National Shooting Sports Manual.
Range Activity SAFEty Training
All Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships who provide unit-level sponsored/planned range and target activities must have at least one registered unit leader 21+ years of age take the Range Activity SAFEty online training available on my.scouting.org. This individual must be present at the range during the range and target activity(s). Participating in this training will help ensure a unit understands Scouting America’s range and target activities policies.
To access the updated training, log onto my.Scouting.org and search the catalog in the BSA Learn Center for “Range Activity SAFEty.” For additional information regarding Scouting’s Range and Target Activities, please refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting and the National Range and Target Activities Manual.
Program Specific Information
Range & Target Activities and National Camping School
Range & Target Activities are an important part of Scouting America camping operations. In order to have a safe and fun range & target activities program, the national organization has set forth safety standards and training for all volunteers and staff who will be in charge of these activities. For a complete list of these standards, see the links below.
NRA Instructor Track (Full Week) Training - Course Listings:
ALL CANDIDATES: PLEASE CLICK HERE FIRST
NRA Instructor Track Participant Prerequisites:
All NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor candidates MUST successfully pass the USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Certification online course prior to arriving. Your course director will give you a coupon code upon request. Once completed you will need to bring proof of completion with you to the NRA Instructor Track course. For more information about this prerequisite please visit the USA Archery website.
Overview:
Unlike the Rifle/Shotgun Instructor weekends listed on this page, candidates will receive certification in the following disciplines:
NRA Rifle Basic & Instructor
NRA Shotgun Basic & Instructor
USA Archery Level 1 Instructor
Plus additional training in Scouting America policies and range supervision.
This course may not be taken as a permanent replacement for the National Camping School Range Activities Director training. Please review NCAP standard SQ-407 or the National Range & Target Activities Manual for more information.
If you are looking to train NRA Instructors strictly for meeting range supervision ratios during year-round program, please consider the Nationally-sponsored NRA Instructor Training Weekends listed on this webpage.
For all NRA Instructor courses:
The instructor course will ask you to be able to follow a syllabus and instruct materials during the class. 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 outdoorprograms@scouting.org.
May 30 - June 6, 2025 - Camp Pigott (Snohomish, WA) - NRA Instructor Track
Course location:
Camp Pigott
24225 Woods Creek Road
Snohomish, WA 98290
Courses offered:
NRA Instructor Track
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Course Director: Bill Beaumont
Host Council Liaison: Bill Beaumont
June 13-20, 2025 - Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation (Brant Lake, NY) - NRA Instructor Track
Course location:
Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation
1377 Palisades Road
Brant Lake, NY 12815
Courses offered:
NRA Instructor Track
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Course Director: Matt Bull
Host Council Liaison: Richard Stockton
September 19-26, 2025 - Summit Bechtel Reserve (Glen Jean, WV) - NRA Instructor Track
Course location:
Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation
1377 Palisades Road
Brant Lake, NY 12815
Courses offered:
NRA Instructor Track
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Course Director: Richard Stockton
Host Council Liaison: Braxton Rhodes
NRA Instructor Weekend Training - Course Listings (Rifle/Shotgun or Pistol):
ALL CANDIDATES: PLEASE CLICK HERE FIRST
NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor Courses:
All NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor candidates MUST take a basic student class before attending the corresponding instructor class (i.e. NRA Rifle Basic is required before attending an NRA Rifle Instructor course, NRA Shotgun Basic is required before attending an NRA Shotgun Instructor course).
Scouting America and the NRA offer these courses at discounted prices at local councils across the country or you can attend any commercial NRA Basic class. To find a Basic Rifle 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 Basic course student materials with you to the course.
NRA Pistol Instructor Courses:
Unlike the Rifle/Shotgun Instructor weekends, candidates will receive NRA Pistol Basic at the beginning of the weekend prior to starting the instructor course. Please note that candidates will be required to pass the NRA pistol shooting qualification to receive certification. This course is not for a beginning pistol shooter.
For all NRA Instructor Courses:
The instructor course will ask you to be able to follow a syllabus and instruct materials during the class. 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 outdoorprograms@scouting.org.
February 14-16, 2025 - Camp Flying Eagle (Bradenton, FL) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Camp Flying Eagle
16009 Upper Manatee River Road
Bradenton, FL 34212
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Lori Laumeyer (Southwest Florida Council)
March 14-16, 2025 - Camp Flying Eagle (Bradenton, FL) - NRA Pistol Instructor
Course location:
Camp Flying Eagle
16009 Upper Manatee River Road
Bradenton, FL 34212
Courses offered:
NRA Pistol Basic, NRA Pistol Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Lori Laumeyer (Southwest Florida Council)
March 14-16, 2025 - Ransburg Scout Reservation (Bloomington, IN) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Ransburg Scout Reservation
7599 Waldrip Creek Rd.
Bloomington, IN 47401
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor, NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Aaron Vikemyr (Crossroads of America Council)
March 21-23, 2025 - Camp Wisdom (Dallas, TX) - NRA Pistol Instructor
Course location:
Camp Wisdom
6400 W Red Bird Lane
Dallas, TX 75236
Courses offered:
NRA Pistol Basic, NRA Pistol Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Laura Baxter (Circle Ten Council)
March 28-30, 2025 - Heritage Scout Reservation (Farmington, PA) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Heritage Scout Reservation
300 Heritage Road
Farmington, PA 15437
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor, NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Amanda Erickson (Laurel Highlands Council)
April 11-13, 2025 - Ransburg Scout Reservation (Bloomington, IN) - NRA Pistol Instructor
Course location:
Ransburg Scout Reservation
7599 Waldrip Creek Rd.
Bloomington, IN 47401
Courses offered:
NRA Pistol Basic, NRA Pistol Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Aaron Vikemyr (Crossroads of America Council)
April 11-13, 2025 - Treasure Valley Scout Reservation (Rutland, MA) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Treasure Valley Scout Reservation
394 Pleasantdale Rd.
Rutland, MA 01543
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Kelly Stickney (Heart of New England Council)
April 25-27, 2025 - Camp Gorton (Dundee, NY) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Camp Groton
4241 County Route 25
Dundee, NY 14837
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Karl Ziegenfus (Great Falls Council)
April 25-27, 2025 - Camp Pigott (Snohomish, WA) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Camp Pigott
24225 Woods Creek Rd.
Snohomish, WA 98290
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Bill Beaumont (Chief Seattle Council)
April 25-27, 2025 - Heritage Scout Reservation (Farmington, PA) - NRA Pistol Instructor
Course location:
Heritage Scout Reservation
300 Heritage Road
Farmington, PA 15437
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor, NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Amanda Erickson (Laurel Highlands Council)
April 25-27, 2025 - Cherokee Scout Reservation (Yanceyville, NC) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
Cherokee Scout Reservation
3296 Boy Scout Camp Rd.
Yanceyville, NC 27379
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Bud Harrelson (Old North State Council)
May 2-4, 2025 - Cherokee Scout Reservation (Yanceyville, NC) - NRA Pistol Instructor
Course location:
Cherokee Scout Reservation
3296 Boy Scout Camp Rd.
Yanceyville, NC 27379
Courses offered:
NRA Pistol Basic, NRA Pistol Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Bud Harrelson (Old North State Council)
May 2-4, 2025 - McNeil Scout Ranch (Elbert, CO) - NRA Rifle/Shotgun Instructor
Course location:
McNeil Scout Ranch at Peaceful Valley
22799 Elbert Rd.
Elbert, CO 80106
Courses offered:
NRA Rifle Instructor
NRA Shotgun Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Jack Loats (Greater Colorado Council)
May 9-11, 2025 - McNeil Scout Ranch (Elbert, CO) - NRA Pistol Instructor
Course location:
McNeil Scout Ranch at Peaceful Valley
22799 Elbert Rd.
Elbert, CO 80106
Courses offered:
NRA Pistol Basic, NRA Pistol Instructor
Documents:
Welcome Letter
Host Council Liaison:
Jack Loats (Greater Colorado Council)
Additional Range & Target Activities Resources
Range and Target Activities FAQs
Click here for a few FAQs regarding range and target activities.
Chalk Ball, Sporting Arrows, Cowboy Action Shooting
Effective 9/1/2024, if your council plans to offer chalk ball, sporting arrows or cowboy action shooting, you must declare this on the council’s NCAP Intent to Operate form prior to beginning these activities (this declaration must be made annually).
Scouting America Range Design Standards
Your council must engage an architect or engineer locally to ensure your final design incorporates local geography and meets all local standard/laws for your county or state. Designing an all-purpose range is not desirable because of the specific differences in range activity disciplines.
Click here to visit the Outdoor Program & Properties – Design Guidelines webpage
Procedures to use a commercial range for range & target activities
If a range meets the definition of a commercial range as set forth in the National Range & Target Activities Manual it may be used for age-appropriate, Scouting America approved range & target activities.
Reminder: All Scouting America policies and procedures must be followed while using commercial ranges including age-appropriate equipment, range supervision requirements and standard operating procedures (if not provided by the range owner).
Need more information? Please contact outdoorprograms@scouting.org.