The Barton County 4-H archery program is gearing up for the new year. The first meeting for the archery members is at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10, at the 4-H Building located between Hoisington and Great Bend. The shooting sports program does require youth to be 8 years old by Jan. 1, 2019. Youth must be enrolled in 4-H and in the archery project to participate, so attend the Sunday meeting and ask more questions or stop by the Extension Office at 1800 12th street in Great Bend. Enrollment information is also on our Extension website www.cottonwood.ksu.edu
The 4-H archery meetings will be held from 4–6 p.m. on Sundays and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Members can choose which day of the week they will be attending the training meetings. There is a $20 fee for the archery project.
Barton County has four certified instructors in archery. The leaders for the archery project are Dennis Trapp, Roger McPherson, Dustin Wyant and Bill Abrams.
The Kansas Shooting Sports program actually strives to develop more than just accurate marksmanship skills. The number one goal is to develop life skills in youth, including: self-esteem, decision making, communications, concern for the community and inquiring minds. The second goal is to provide a safe, controlled environment for the learning of safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment.
Third, the program strives to provide competition opportunities for participants who desire to compete. Not all members will choose to be in a competition, but for those who do they definitely have to exhibit their highest levels of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
Last, but not least, the program hopes to strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities. The leaders and members of the Barton County shooting sports program have worked for many years to build the program. It has been a strong and successful program for young people. Over the past 20 years, Barton County has been represented at many area, state and even national 4-H shooting sports events.
The Barton County 4-H air rifle leaders and members will be hosting the Annual Winter Classic featuring air rifle and air pistol competition on Feb. 16, 2019 at the Expo I. The first flight will begin at 9 a.m. and the public is invited to attend.
Young people interested in the air rifle project must enroll in 4-H and the air rifle project when the 4-H year begins in October, 2019.
Berny Unruh is the 4-H and Youth Development extension agent in Barton County. She can be reached at 620-793-1910 or at bunruh@oznet.ksu.edu.
