The Junior Rifle Program at Lower Providence Rod and Gun Club is offered to the immediate family members of the membership. Note: This means that you must be a club member, and your child needs to be a junior member. It is designed to teach juniors 11-18 years of age firearm safety and the basics of rifle marksmanship. Juniors are introduced to the proper use of basic equipment used in target shooting. Rifles, equipment and ammunition are provided by the club. This program has benefited from generous grants from the NRA Foundation and the Friends of the NRA.
The courses of fire in the Junior Rifle Program are designed to take shooters from beginning skill levels (Pro-Marksman, Marksman) through intermediate levels (Marksman 1st Class, Sharpshooter, Expert). We have had many kids go on to Distinguished Expert (DE) and now have coaches who can help kids move up into Regional International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) competitions and the like.
Junior Rifle meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30PM to 9:00PM September through June, with set-up starting at 6:00PM for those who’d like to volunteer to lend a hand. The Junior Rifle program only accepts new junior participants to the program in September and January. There is no fee for the program, however we do require that the student has a Junior membership at LPRGC. The fee for Junior membership is $10 annually. We ask that participants attend as regularly as possible, however it is mandatory that new students attend the first three meetings for the NRA course material.
New junior participants can sign-up for the program on the following dates:
- The next series will begin on Wednesday September 20, 2023
- Those wishing to get on the list for the next series starting in September of 2023 should join the Jr Rifle mailing list here: https://lprgc.groups.io/g/JrRifle
- Notification of the upcoming series’ are announced in early September and early January, so if you’re interested, keep your eyes on the Main.io LPRGC mailing list
Enrollment is limited to 10 new and 10 returning students on a “first come, first served” basis with priority given to returning juniors.
If you wish to enroll a junior in the Junior Rifle Program or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Jim Bartlett (jvbart@gmail.com) or visit the club on a Wednesday night during the Jr Rifle season. Our Junior Rifle Program is funded through the generosity of the Lower Providence Rod & Gun Club and by grants from the NRA Foundation, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to participate?
You need to be a club member, and your child needs to be a junior member.
What can I expect the first month of this program?
The first three weeks of this program follow the NRA Basic Rifle curriculum. This teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting. This is accomplished mostly through following the printed curriculum, and audio visual aids, all presented by NRA certified instructors.
The first three weeks of the program are the “toughest” – the students are eager to shoot, and we are eager to instruct. This NRA-mandated curriculum will only help to reinforce the best safety practices.
Once the curriculum is completed and the tests submitted, we’ll get your child on the range, “fit” a rifle to them, show them how to use and adjust their sling, and get them shooting.
What should be the Wednesday routine once my son/daughter starts shooting?
You child should complete the attendance sheet on the (covered) pool table in the clubhouse, filling out their name and shooting position. They should also review their scored target from the previous week, make notes in their shooting journals, and stretch out.
Once the group is assembled, we’ll take them into the range, where we will establish a routine that starts with:
- Filling out their target for the evening, with name, date, and shooting position.
- Tacking their target to the stand at the appropriate height.
- Fitting the slings to their arms, put on eye and ear protection.
What target curriculum do you follow?
We follow the Winchester / NRA Marksman Four Position Rifle Qualification Program. Your child will have an opportunity to shoot the various positions throughout the program and receive awards.
What targets do you use?
We use the official A17 eleven bull’s eye (one center sighting bulls eye) A17 50-foot target.
What can I do to help my son/daughter succeed?
It’s beneficial to limit their caffeine consumption on Wednesday, and it’s also good to reinforce what we tell them – jotting notes down each week in their provided shooting journals. These journals should be a repository about their experiences – including their goals for that evening, their longer-term goals, what worked well, what they learned, etc.
I have a .22 rifle at home; can (should) I bring it?
We highly recommend that you use the club-provided target rifles (and ammunition) to start. These rifles have adjustable stocks, aperture sights, and sling rails.
If you decide that you would like to bring you own rifle, please remember that all firearms must be cased in the clubhouse, and can only be uncased on the range when the firing line is clear.
Please note that telescopic sights are not allowed per the Winchester / NRA program.
If I want to buy a target rifle for my son/daughter, what should I choose?
This is a difficult question to answer, since there are a variety of choices and prices.
For a lower-priced rifle, the Savage Mark I or Mark II FVT, which are available through various dealers or the CMP, are a good choice. The Savages have decent target triggers and aperture sights.
For a higher-priced rifle, it’s hard to beat an Anschutz model 1903, which are available through dealers and the CMP. The 1903’s are full-featured target rifles, and are also available in left-handed models.
What should my son/daughter wear?
Jeans, some type of cotton top, and closed-toe footwear are recommended. Nylon and other slippery apparel should be avoided for several reasons. Bringing your own ear and eye protection is also recommended, though we will have some on-hand if needed.
Can I drop off my son/daughter and return?
We require that at least one parent or guardian be present at all times.
Can take my son/daughter’s target with me at the end of the evening?
You’re welcome (and encouraged) to take a photo of the completed target, but the targets have to remain to be scored and then filed. The instructions will review the targets on the range with your child, and will also avail themselves after each group finishes shooting to answer any questions you or your child may have.
Am I allowed on the range with my son/daughter?
With ear and eye protection, you’re welcome on the range. We do ask that you stay towards the rear of the range to give the instructors room to coach, and are respectful.
Miscellaneous items:
Your son/daughter will be resting on shooting mats when on the range.
Please make sure they wash their hand thoroughly before leaving the club.
We abide by the motto that you can never be too safe.