Well, Cub Scout Day Camp is finally over. Those are three exhausting days! They’re a lot of fun, though.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately my voice is over, too. I ran the BB gun range and while there were a few scheduling and logistics surprises (It’s day camp – what do you expect<\/em>), I think it was a successful week.\u00a0 The boys who have been shooting before came out shooting better and the boys who hadn’t shot before learned an important life-skill.<\/p>\n Rather than teaching them, “this is the end that goes ‘bang.’\u00a0 Point it that way…” I wanted to work on teaching them how<\/strong> to shoot and how<\/strong> to handle a gun.\u00a0 Safety, history, safety, form, safety, carrying — all were a part of their instruction.\u00a0 Being aware how guns are treated by more Progressive segments of society — especially in education, I\u00a0wanted\u00a0to make sure that\u00a0where there was fear of guns, it was replaced with respect and joy.<\/p>\n That latter group is what made me feel so good about the three days.\u00a0 There were a lot of boys across all age groups that had never handled a gun and were timid or even scared of guns.\u00a0 By the end of camp, even those had not only improved but had developed an enthusiasm for shooting.\u00a0\u00a0Camp was proof that the best<\/em> way to overcome a fear or dislike of guns is to\u00a0learn how to shoot.\u00a0 If nothing else, the idea\u00a0that guns are “evil” or\u00a0“bad” has been forever banished from these boys’ minds.<\/p>\n I’d like to think that there will be a lot of boys asking for BB or Airsoft guns this Christmas.\u00a0 Note that if you do get one for your son or daughter, please remember to teach them that even those Airsoft’s are real guns.\u00a0 They are not toys.\u00a0 As I told the boys, I know at least 4 people off the top of my head that hunt with air guns.<\/p>\n The most<\/strong> <\/em>important thing to say, though, is about the leaders and parent “Walkers” that were with the kids.\u00a0 I was blessed in that every<\/strong> <\/em>group had one or more experienced shooters.\u00a0 Once they realized what I was\u00a0doing, they were outstanding in helping\u00a0teach<\/strong><\/em> the boys.\u00a0 The range could not have been a success without their assistance.\u00a0 Their knowledge and experience was a very special gift to these boys.\u00a0 On their behalf, I’d like to say, “Thank you!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, Cub Scout Day Camp is finally over. Those are three exhausting days! They’re a lot of fun, though. Unfortunately my voice is over, too. I ran the BB gun range and while there were a few scheduling and logistics … Continue reading