Preflint said:
I currently have my son in cub scouts, but sadly our local packs are pretty much a joke. My neighbor had mentioned 4-H and that some of them have shooting( which mine didn't as a kid) and they even have a muzzleloading program.
Has anyone had any experience with 4-H's muzzleloading program? After reading this topic
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/303381
It got me thinking it could be a great opportunity for the youth to learn
Where are you located? Ohio 4-H offers muzzleloading, though the availability of trained volunteers varies by county. 4-H (in Ohio and I think all states) does not allow a volunteer or staffer to teach a shooting discipline without being trained.
But muzzleloading is alive and well in 4-H.
Someone asked why find a program? Well it lets a kid learn a skill with a knowledgeable instructor in a safe location. Our county was full of farm land years ago. Dad and mom grew up shooting in the back yard. Now dad and mom work in town and the farm has become a subdivision. Our 4-H club offers a place to learn, shoot and compete.
Competition is a good thing as well. Lots of kids who are never going to make the basketball team find out they can be competitive in one of the shooting sports. Competing at home against dad isn't very fun until you become good enough to out shoot him. Competing against your peers can be a blast, if it is handled properly. And losing a competition is a good life lesson, too.