Helpful Info
– Shooting Sports Permission Form PDF download PDF (Rev. 8/25/21)
– Shooting Sports allowed by age go to page
– Supervision requirements go to page
– BSA Shooting Sports Manual (2022) download PDF
– FAQs go to page
– Shooting Sports Committee Chair: Brent Browning
– Shooting Sports Distribution Email: PacSky-ShootingSports@googlegroups.com
All courses are limited to 10 participants. Scheduled dates are open for registration effective immediately. We must have a minimum of 4 candidates for instructor courses or they will be cancelled.
Please take a moment and sign up. We need certified range masters, range safety officers, and instructors!
Shooting Sports Courses
Cub Scout Archery & BB Gun Range Master Training
Description: Archery portion gives the basics of archery instruction, range operations, shooting skills so you can run an effective archery program for Cub Scouts and Webelos. BB Gun portion gives the basics of BB gun instruction, range operations, and shooting skills so you can run an effective BB Gun program for Cub Scouts or Webelos. Students must be age 18 or older.
Allows: Archery portion allows one to serve as Archery range master for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturers. BB Gun portion allows one to serve as a BB Gun range master for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturers.
Length: 4 hours Archery, 3 hours BB Gun
Cost: Each course is $25
Valid: Certification valid for 2 years.
- 2023 Classes: Sat, Feb. 11, 2023 – 9am-noon BB gun/1-5pm Archery
NRA Range Safety Officer Training
Description: Develops NRA Certified Range Safety Officers with the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.
Covers: Roles and responsibilities of an RSO, Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Range inspection, Range rules, Range briefings, Emergency procedures, Firearm stoppages and malfunctions.
Allows: One to conduct and supervise safe shooting activities and range operations. Does not allow one to provide firearms instruction.
Length: 9 hours
Cost: $50
- 2023 Class: Sat, May 13 – 8:00 am-5:30 pm – Palo Alto Service Center
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer Training
Description: Teaches the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to training and supervising NRA range safety officers and developing range standard operating procedures.
Covers: Sessions include standard operating procedures, inspections, emergency procedures, firearm stoppages and malfunctions, safety briefings. Students demonstrate organizational and teaching skills via participation in practical exercises and complete an open book exam. Students will receive NRA Basic Range Safety Officer lesson plans, basic student packet and basic course presentation CD.
Allows: One to train and certify NRA Range Safety Officers.
Length: 14 hours
Cost: $50
- 2023 Classes:
Part 1: Sat, Feb 25 – 8:00 am-5:30 pm – Palo Alto Service Center
Part 2: Sun, Feb 26 – 8 am-5 pm – Boulder Creek Scout Reservation
NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Training
Description: The students will learn the knowledge, skills and attitude to become a basic rifle shooter. Skills learned are shooting positions, body positions, shot mechanics, sight picture, parts of a rifle, ammunition, Winchester marksmanship program, shooting activities, practical exercises, cleaning and care of rifles, safe gun handling, shooting skills development. Additionally this course is required to take a Rifle Instructor course.
Allows: Is a prerequisite for the NRA Rifle Instructor Training course.
Length: 9 hours
Cost: $50
- 2023 Class: Sat, Nov 18 – 8:00 am-5:30 pm – Boulder Creek Scout Reservation
NRA Rifle Instructor Training
Description: Teaches the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to organizing, promoting and teaching NRA’s Basic Rifle Shooting course.
Prerequisite: Possession of basic firearm safety and shooting skills is a prerequisite for certification as an NRA instructor. Prior to the instructor training, candidates must complete an NRA Basic Rifle Shooting class, complete a pre-course questionnaire and demonstrate their firearm background in pre-course assessment exercises.
NRA Requirements: Click here
Allows: One to serve as a BB Gun Range Master for Cub Scouts, to teach BSA 30 minute Rifle Briefing, teach BSA Rifle Shooting merit badge using modern cartridge or air rifle option (with MB training & Advancement Committee approval), teach NRA First Steps Rifle Orientation, teach NRA Basic Rifle course.
Length: 20 hours
Cost: $150
- 2023 Classes:
Part 1: Fri, Jan 13 – 6pm-10pm – Palo Alto Service Center
Part 2: Sat, Jan 14 – 8am-6pm – Palo Alto Service Center
Part 3: Sun, Jan 15 – 9am-5pm – Boulder Creek Scout Reservation
NRA Shotgun Instructor Training
Description: Teaches the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to organizing, promoting and teaching NRA’s Basic Shotgun Shooting Course.
Prerequisite: Possession of basic firearm safety and shooting skills is a prerequisite for certification as an NRA instructor. Prior to the instructor training, candidates must complete an NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting class for that discipline, complete a pre-course questionnaire and demonstrate their firearm background in pre-course assessment exercises.
NRA Requirements: Click here
Allows: One to teach BSA 30 minute Shotgun Briefing, teach BSA Shotgun Shooting merit badge using modern shot shell option (with MB training & Advancement Committee approval), teach NRA First Steps Shotgun Orientation, teach NRA Basic Shotgun course.
Length: 17 hours
Cost: $135
- Future Classes: Planned for 2024
NRA Basic Pistol Training
Description: This course is open to Venturing youth 14 years and older and adults. The students will learn the knowledge, skills and attitude to become a basic pistol shooter. Skills learned are shooting positions, body positions, shot mechanics, sight picture, parts of a pistol, ammunition, Winchester marksmanship program, shooting activities, practical exercises, cleaning and care of rifles, safe gun handling, and shooting skills development. Additionally this course is required to take a Pistol Instructor course.
NRA Requirements:
Allows: Is a prerequisite for the NRA Pistol Instructor Training course.
Length: 8 hours
Cost: $46
- Future Classes: Planned for 2024
NRA Pistol Instructor Training
Description: Teaches the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to organizing, promoting and teaching NRA’s Basic Pistol Shooting course.
Prerequisite: Pistols BASICS Course (available upon request) – Possession of basic firearm safety and shooting skills is a prerequisite for certification as an NRA instructor. Prior to the instructor training, candidates must complete an NRA Basic Pistol Shooting class, complete a pre-course questionnaire and demonstrate their firearm background in pre-course assessment exercises.
NRA Requirements: Click here
Allows: One to teach BSA 30-minute Pistol Briefing, teach NRA First Steps Pistol Orientation, teach NRA Basic Pistol course to Venturers and Sea Scouts.
Length: 21 hours
Cost: $156
- Future Classes: Planned for 2024
NRA Co-Op Youth Muzzle-Loading Rifle Training
Loading Basic Rifle Training
Short Description:
Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a muzzleloading rifle.
More Details:
The course is 12 hours in length and includes classroom instruction and time on a range shooting a muzzleloading rifle. Students learn the NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; parts; loading; shooting; cleaning; shooting from a standing position and shooting from a crossed stick position; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Muzzleloading Rifle Handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Muzzleloading Student Examination, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, course completion certificate.
Length: 12 hours
Cost: $80
- Future Class: 12/9/2023
NRA Co-Op Youth Muzzle-Loading Rifle Instructor Training
Description: Teaches the knowledge, skills and attitude essential to organizing, promoting and teaching the NRA Co-Op Youth Muzzleloading Rifle course.
Prerequisite: Possession of basic firearm safety and shooting skills is a prerequisite for certification as an NRA instructor. Prior to the instructor training, candidates must complete an NRA-NMLRA Basic Muzzleloading Shooting course or equivalent muzzleloading rifle knowledge and experience, complete a pre-course questionnaire and demonstrate their firearm background in pre-course assessment exercises.
NRA Requirements: Click here
Allows: One to teach the BSA’s Five Levels of Shooting Activities for muzzleloading rifle, and BSA Rifle Shooting merit badge using muzzle loading option merit badge (both with MB training & Advancement Committee approval).
Length: 12 hours
Cost: $135
- Future Classes: TBD
USA Archery / NFAA Level 1 Instructor Training
This is now a hybrid online program.
To begin, take the online course found here:
https://www.usarchery.org/coaches/become-a-coach/level-1-instructor-certification
On completion of the online course, email the Shooting Sports Committee to schedule the in-person practicum portion.
Description: Covers the basics of archery which include range safety, how to shoot a bow, how to select equipment for beginner shooters, how to teach beginner shooters, how to run a basic program, sample lesson plans, how to teach simple drills and skills to new archers. This course is for those who are willing to teach a group of non-shooters or basic shooters.
Allows: One to teach Basic Archery course, teach BSA Archery merit badge (with MB training & Advancement Committee approval).
Length:
Online portion: 4 to 6 hours (self paced)
Practicum: 6 to 8 hours (depending on level of experience)
Cost: $40 (to USA Archery) for the online portion, and $40 (to Pacific Skyline Council) for the in-person practicum.
- All Classes are independently scheduled.
USA Archery / NFAA Level 2 Instructor Training
Description: The Level 2 Archery Instructor Certification Course includes the Level 1 Archery Instructor Certification Course and provides students with an introduction to the National Training System (NTS) Steps of Shooting for recurve and compound, equipment and accessory setup, athlete development and events as well as qualifies students to teach the Level 1 Archery Instructor Certification Course. Graduates of the Level 2 Archery Instructor Certification Course are well prepared to serve as the lead instructor for long-term archery programs such as Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD), Adult Archery Program and Collegiate Archery Program clubs, as well as the Explore Archery Program.
Prerequisites: Must hold Level 1 certification.
Allows: One to teach USA Archery Level 1 Instructor course.
Length: 12-16 hours
Cost: $75
- Future Classes: TBD
