Youth Rifle Program

Our Youth Rifle Program teaches young shooters responsible marksmanship, uncompromising safety, and clear firearm awareness. We train with precision air rifles (open to ages 8 and up) and small-bore .22-caliber rifles (open to ages 12 and up) using a structured, progressive curriculum led by certified Range Officers and experienced volunteer coaches. Every session begins with safety instruction: muzzle discipline, trigger-finger control, proper use of eye and ear protection, adherence to range commands. Training emphasizes measurable fundamentals, stance, sight picture, breath control, trigger technique, shot analysis, and scoring, supported by dry-fire drills, supervised live fire, and use of spotting scopes and target stands.

Beginners advance at a pace set by skill and maturity; intermediate and advanced shooters focus on precision, competition prep, and basic small-bore maintenance (cleaning, zeroing, simple troubleshooting). The program explicitly teaches situational gun awareness and decision-making so participants build practical competence and judgment, not just technique. We provide loaner equipment for newcomers, require parental consent and completion of a safety orientation, and operate within Maryland law and strict supervision ratios. Participants may compete in the Junior Rifle League and local matches. The program also offers the opportunity to tie into our biathlon activities for members interested in combining physical fitness with marksmanship. It’s a disciplined, fun, and safe activity designed to make young people capable, confident, and legally responsible shooters.