Boy Scouts of America

Shooting Sports Program FAQs

BSA Shooting Sports for Summer Camp and Year-Round Programs

BSA shooting sports personnel should be familiar with each of the documents listed below. Please click on the links to download them. Use the publication with the newest copyright date for the policy. The national standards apply to day camp or resident camp, and the Guide to Safe Scouting applies to all programs outside of resident camp.

For any questions regarding these documents, email shooting.sports@Scouting.org

National standards website:

General

Q: What are the standards of leadership required for year-round shooting and resident camp shooting?
A: The standards can be found in the National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) standards for the current year. These standards can be found at https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/camp-accreditation/

Cub Scout and Webelos Scout FAQs

Q: What shooting programs can Cub Scouts participate in?
A: Cub Scouts can shoot BB-gun rifles, slingshots, and archery in a council or district event only and is not approved as a unit event. Appropriate catapults can be used during a unit-organized event.

Q: Can Cub Scouts or Webelos shoot shotguns or .22-caliber rifles in resident camps, day camps, or unit activities?
A: No, these activities do not meet the age appropriate guidelines of the BSA for Cub Scouts or Webelos Scouts. 

Q: What shooting sports programs can Webelos participate in?
A: Webelos can shoot pellet rifles, BB-gun rifles, slingshots, and archery, under the proper supervision, which must be conducted as part council or district event only and is not approved as a unit event. Appropriate catapults can be used during a unit-organized event.(refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting for specific guidelines) 

Q: How do I find a range officer for my Cub Scout pack?
A: Cub Scout shooting sports must be conducted at a council or district level and is not approved as a unit activity. If your pack is interested in helping to organize a BB-gun or archery event, please contact your local council’s shooting sports chairman or shooting sports director for information on the council’s year-round shooting sports programs.

Q: How can I get trained to run the Cub Scouts BB-gun or archery range at a day camp, short-term or long-term camp?
A: You should contact your local council shooting sports chairman to find out where and when the Cub Scout Range Master Training will be held.

Q: What type of training do I need to help in the Cub Scout day camp, short-term or long-term camp programs?
A: You need to be a trained as a Cub Scout Range Master.  This training is conducted by a National Camp School shooting sports director or a NRA Rifle Instructor for BB Guns, and USA Archery Level 1 Instructor for archery.

Q: How long does the Cub Scout Shooting Sports training take?
A: The training is 3 hours for Cub Scout archery and 4 hours for Cub Scout BB gun. You may be certified in either discipline or you can be certified in both.  

Scouts BSA FAQs

Q: Can a troop shoot firearms and archery year-round?
A: Yes, in fact shooting sports are very popular activities for our youth. We encourage units to offer them as part of their year-round program—offering recreational shooting, not just merit badge instruction. Proper supervision is required for troops to organize the event.

Q: Can troops use catapults, slingshots, or air rifles?
A: Yes. Use the Shooting Sports Manual as a reference so you can safely conduct these activities. Please also refer to any local laws for shooting sports and refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting and prohibited activity list before conducting any of these activities. 

Q: How do I find a range officer or NRA instructor for my Scout troop?
A: Scouts can shoot at a council camp property or local public or private commercial range under the proper supervision. If your troop wants to have a shooting sports event, please contact your local council or shooting sports committee for information on your council’s shooting sports programs and how they can support your troop.

Q: How can I get trained to run the Scout range at a BSA summer camp?
A: You should contact your local council for information on your council’s shooting sports programs. Each council selects the staff leadership for its summer camp program. Shooting sports directors must attend a National Camping School to be trained in shotgun, rifle, or muzzle loading disciplines.

Q: What type of training do I need to help my Scout troop take youth to a shooting day at a local range or at our Scout camp?
A: You need to be an NRA certified instructor in the discipline with which you plan to help. NRA certifications in rifle, pistol, shotgun, or muzzle loading rifle, or NRA shotgun coach or rifle coach would be necessary. You must also have an NRA range safety officer certification for the person who is running the range. There must be two separate people running your event. The trainer is an NRA certified training counselor. You can find this person in your local council or by calling the NRA. You can also find more information in the Shooting Sports Manual in the sections regarding training.

Q: How long does the training take?
A: The training necessary to become an NRA certified instructor is based on the discipline taken. Basic instructor training is the first requirement and is six hours long. Rifle instructor training is 14 hours long, shotgun is 12 hours, pistol is 10 hours, and muzzle loading rifle, pistol, or shotgun may be 12 hours each. For more information, contact your local council or call NRA National Youth Program. The training necessary to become a BSA National Camping School shooting sports director is a week long. For more information, contact your local council.

Q: Can Scouts shoot pistols or high-power rifles?
A: Pistol shooting is allowed only through the council organized Pistol Safety and Marksmanship Program. Councils must apply to conduct this course. High-power rifle shooting is not an age appropriate activity for Scouts BSA are reserved for the youth who are involved in the Venturing and Sea Scouting programs only.

Q: Can Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts shoot paintball markers or airsoft guns?
A: Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts may shoot paintball markers as described in the Chalkball Program Guide. Airsoft guns may be used as described in the mulit-gun airsoft experience. Councils must apply to conduct these activities at camps. 

Q: Are the requirements for range supervision different at Scout camp versus shooting events with my troop?

A: Yes, National Camp  Standards determine the leadership needed to offer shooting sports programs at a camp. The Guide to Safe Scouting determines the leadership needed to offer shooting sports programs at the unit level.

Q: Why does the BSA not allow members of the military, law enforcement, or 4-H to run a shooting sports event for the BSA?
A: The BSA does allow military, law enforcement, and 4-H certified instructors to help run a BSA long-term summer camp range under certain conditions. These standards can be found in the current year version of the NCAP standards. The BSA has established NRA training as the national standard. Personnel from the military, law enforcement, or 4-H agencies are welcome to attend NRA training to become certified.


Venturing and Sea Scout FAQs

Q: Can Venturing crews hold a hunting trip?
A: Yes. However, they must meet all local, State and Federal laws and regulations where the hunt is to take place.

Q: How do I find a range officer or NRA instructor for my Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship?
A: Venturers and Sea Scouts are allowed to shoot at a council camp, local public or private commercial range or club. Venturers and Sea Scouts may shoot on privately owned property (i.e., a friend’s farm or private land) if you use the Procedures to Use Public or Private Property for a Shooting Sports Range found on the Shooting Sports Webpage.  If your crew wants to have a shooting sports event, please contact your local council shooting sports chairman or shooting sports director for information.  If no information is available, contact shooting.sports@scouting.org.

Q: How can I get trained to run the Scout range at a BSA summer camp? 

A: You should contact your local council for information on your council’s shooting sports programs. Each council selects the staff leadership for its summer camp program. Shooting sports directors must attend a National Camping School to be trained in shotgun, rifle, or muzzle loading disciplines.

 

Q: What type of training do I need to help my Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship take youth to a shooting day at a local range or at our Scout camp?
A: You need to be an NRA certified instructor in the discipline with which you plan to help. NRA certifications in rifle, pistol, shotgun, or muzzle loading rifle, or NRA shotgun coach or NRA rifle coach would be necessary. You must also have an NRA range safety officer certification for the person who is running the range. There must be two separate people running your event. The trainer is an NRA certified training counselor. You can find this person in your local council or by calling the NRA. You can also find more information in the new Shooting Sports Manual in the sections regarding training.

Q: How long does the training take?
A: The training necessary to become an NRA certified instructor is based on the discipline taken. Basic instructor training is the first requirement and is six hours long. Rifle instructor training is 14 hours long, shotgun is 12 hours,  pistol is 10 hours, and muzzle loading rifle, pistol, or shotgun may be 12 hours each. For more information regarding specific schedules and times, please contact your local council or call NRA National Youth Programs. The training necessary to become a BSA National Camping School shooting sports director is a weeklong program. For more information regarding this training, contact your local council.

Q: Can Venturing crews or Sea Scouts shoot pistols or high-power rifles?
A: Yes, pistol shooting and high-power rifle shooting are reserved for youth who are involved in the Venturing and Sea Scouting programs. Venturers and Sea Scouts may shoot any caliber of firearm.   FULLY AUTOMATIC firearms are prohibited in the Boy Scouts of America program. Refer to the new BSA National Shooting Sports Manual for further details.

Q: Can Venturers and Sea Scouts shoot paintball markers or airsoft guns? 

A: Venturers and Sea Scouts may shoot paintball markers as described in the Chalkball Program Guide. Airsoft guns may be used as described in the mulit-gun airsoft experience. Councils must apply to conduct these activities at camps. 

Q: Are the requirements for range supervision different at Scout camp versus shooting events with my troop?

A: Yes, National Camp  Standards determine the leadership needed to offer shooting sports programs at a camp. The Guide to Safe Scouting determines the leadership needed to offer shooting sports programs at the unit level.

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Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.