Shooting Sports Leaders
Who are the Leaders?
Our Shooting Sports program is overseen by Rachel Wildman, Larimer County 4-H Extension Specialist with the assistance of many volunteers. Volunteers are enrolled 4-H leaders who have completed basic 4-H training and have passed a background check.
Shooting Sports is the only 4-H project that requires leaders to be certified. Certified leaders have completed an intensive 15-hour training over the course of three days per discipline.
Each discipline has a team including a Key Leader, Assistant Key Leaders, and Certified Leaders who facilitate practices, organize the county shoot, and coach the Larimer County team at the state shoot.
Enrolled 4-H Leaders also help with various tasks.
Senior 4-H members (14–18 years old) can also attend the certification training to become Certified Junior Leaders and assist with coaching other 4-H members at practices.
Contact information for our key leaders, assistant key leaders, and more can be found on the Contact Directory.
We Need Certified Leaders!
Our county has a large, successful Shooting Sports program, but we are in serious need of more certified Shooting Sports leaders to maintain and continue to hold safe practices and effectively teach our 4-H youth.
Enroll as a 4-H leader for 2026 now at v2.4HOnline.com. If you are a returning leader, you need to enroll before activities begin. If you are interested in becoming a new leader, we’d welcome you to the Shooting Sports program. Click here to find out how to get started with the process to enroll as a 4-H leader in Larimer County!
Step 1: Enroll as a Shooting Sports Leader
We welcome volunteers at all levels. First, enroll in 4-H as a leader. This process includes supplying references, completing online training, and submitting a background check.
Visit the Larimer County 4-H website to learn about volunteering and reference the “Steps to Becoming a Larimer County 4-H Leader” by clicking here.
Step 2: Attend a Shooting Sports Training to Become a Certified Leader in a Discipline
Certified leaders complete an intensive 15-hour training over the course of three days per discipline. These trainings are taught by level 2, nationally-trained instructors. The certification trainings are held in March and require enrollment as a 4-H leader BEFORE registration for the training. Follow the steps to enroll as a Shooting Sports leader above, and then when registration opens on v2.4HOnline.com, you’ll be ready to sign up for certification training.
Volunteer to Be a Leader
2025 Certification Trainings
Registration
Registration opens 6 weeks before the start date of each training. Go to Events on 4HOnline. 4-H volunteers must be approved, enrolled, and active on 4HOnline BEFORE registering.
Locations and Dates
All disciplines are NOT offered at all locations.
Morgan County
When: March 7–9, 2025
Registration Opens: January 24, 2025
Registration Closes: February 21, 2025
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun
Morgan County training information flyer
Weld County
When: March 14–16, 2025
Registration Opens: January 31, 2025
Registration Closes: February 28, 2025
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Orion training (Free, registration required)
Weld County training information flyer.
Pueblo County
When: March 21–23, 2025
Registration Opens: February 7, 2025
Registration Closes: March 7, 2025
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Muzzleloading, Outdoor Skills, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Western Heritage
Pueblo County training information flyer.
Garfield County
When: March 28–30, 2025
Registration Opens: February 14, 2025
Registration Closes: March 14, 2025
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Western Heritage
Garfield County training information flyer.
Training Agenda
Click here for the tentative agenda for the 2025 training at all locations.
Cost and Payment
The cost is $135. Leaders are reimbursed for the cost of the training AFTER serving the Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports program for one year and enrolling for the upcoming year.
Payment is due to the extension office. Pay by check to the extension office or click here for the online payment form. One lump sum will be submitted to the hosting county for all Larimer County 4-H leaders attending.
Junior leaders are funded for training and do not need to submit payment.
Certified Junior Leaders
Senior 4-H members (ages 14–18) can also attend these trainings to become certified as Shooting Sports Junior Leaders. Certified junior leaders receive the same training as adults. They can then assist the discipline’s leaders and coach other members at practices. Junior leaders CAN’T run the line until they are 21 years old, but they do not have to re-certify until they reach the 7-year mark.
Plus, the Larimer County 4-H Foundation covers the cost for junior leaders to attend the training!
Re-Certification Required Every 7 Years
Certified leaders are required to re-certify every 7 years, per the 4-H Shooting Sports National Minimum Standards. Leaders attend the same, three-day trainings to ensure that they are up to date on the safety training as well as the 4-H Shooting Sports curriculum.
If you have questions about when you need to re-certify, email info@LC4HSS.org.
Shooting Sports Council
The Shooting Sports program is administered by Rachel Wildman, Larimer County 4-H Extension Specialist, with the Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports Council.
Learn more about the council.