Shooting Sports Leaders
Our team of coaches are enrolled 4-H leaders and those running the line at practice and coaching members are also 4-H state-certified leaders in each discipline for which they are assisting. Each discipline has a team including one Key Leader, Assistant Key Leaders, and Certified Leaders who run practices, put on the county shoot, and coach the Larimer County team at the state shoot. Enrolled leaders can also help with various tasks at practices.
Step 1: Enroll as a Shooting Sports Leader
We welcome volunteers at all levels. To get started, enroll in 4-H as a leader. This process includes supplying references and a background check. Learn more about enrolling as a 4-H leader by clicking here.
Step 2: Attend a Shooting Sports Training to Become a Certified Leader
All leaders who run practices and coach 4-H members are 4-H certified leaders. They complete an intensive 15-hour training over the course of three days. 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.
4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Trainings for 2024
Following are the dates and the disciplines to be offered at each of the Shooting Sports Leader Certification trainings in 2024.
Morgan County
When: March 1–3, 2024
Registration Opens: January 19, 2024
Registration Closes: February 16, 2024
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun
Click here for a flyer about the Morgan County certification.
Pueblo County
When: March 8–10, 2024
Registration Opens: January 26, 2024
Registration Closes: February 23, 2024
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Muzzleloading, Outdoor Skills, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Western Heritage
Click here for a flyer about the Pueblo County certification.
Weld County
When: March 15–17, 2023
Registration Opens: February 2, 2024
Registration Closes: March 1, 2024
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun
Click here for a flyer about the Weld County certification.
Garfield County
When: March 22–24, 2024
Registration Opens: February 9, 2024
Registration Closes: March 8, 2024
Disciplines Offered: Archery, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Western Heritage
Note: Outdoor Skills has been removed from the Garfield County schedule. It will only be offered at the Pueblo weekend.
Click here for a flyer about the Garfield County certification.
(All disciplines are NOT offered at all locations. Please see the disciplines listed under each date/location.)
Registration for Trainings
Registrations via v2.4HOnline.com will open approximately 6 weeks prior to the start of each training. 4-H volunteers must be approved, enrolled, and active in 4HOnline prior to registering for the trainings. Do not delay your volunteer enrollment or re-enrollment process.
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.
In addition, certified leaders also must be active in the 4-H Shooting Sports program for two out of every three years.
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 go through the same training as adults, and they can assist the discipline’s leaders and coach other members at practices. Junior leaders cannot run a line until they are 21 years old, but they do not need to re-certify
Cost
The training usuallys cost $135, and the Larimer County 4-H Foundation will reimburse 100% of the cost to leaders after they have served the Shooting Sports program for one year. In past years, we have received a donation to cover the entire cost of the training for Junior Leaders.
Re-Certification Every 7 Years
Certified leaders are required to re-certify every 7 years, per the 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.
Contact Information
You can find contact information for our key leaders, assistant key leaders, and more on the Contact Directory.
Leader Meetings
The Shooting Sports leaders and extension specialist, Rachel Wildman, meet regularly to plan the year and discuss any issues that arise. These meetings are designed for enrolled Shooting Sports leaders, however there is a Public Comment period at the beginning of meetings for parents or members who would like to address an idea or concern with the group.