Introducing children to shooting and the outdoors can have a positive impact.
There is no shortage of opportunities for shooting sports for kids in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Wildlife Department holds an annual children’s camp to serve as an introduction. Oklahoma State University Extension Service runs 4H shooting programs classes and holds shooting events and contests.
Oklahoma Youth Hunting & Shooting Program
The Oklahoma Youth Hunting & Shooting Program introduces children with no hunting or shooting experience to those sports. The program is operated by adult volunteers who secure permission from landowners to use their property for hunts for small game, turkey and deer. Parents are required to accompany their child into the field. Safety and ethics are emphasized, and the children are required to complete a hunter education course. For more information, visit the Oklahoma Youth Hunting & Shooting Program’s website.
Cherokee Kids Camp
The Oklahoma Wildlife Department operates the Cherokee Kids Camp at the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area in northeast Oklahoma. The camp is held in June and is designed to introduce children under the age of 15 to the outdoors. Shooting sports include archery, air rifles, paintball and firearms. For additional information, call the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at 918-260-8959 or visit their website.
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University 4H program, in cooperation with the National Rifle Association, offers numerous youth shooting programs, including shooting sports camps and marksmanship and youth hunter education classes in select areas throughout Oklahoma. For more information, visit the Oklahoma State University Extension 4H program’s website or the NRA’s Youth Programs website.
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