The Newton County 4-H SAFETY (formerly known as Shooting Sports) program will finally have a home they can call their own.
For the past 10 years the program has been using the shooting range that belongs to the City of Newton. While the city range has been a great home, space is limited.
Leanne McGee said Charles Scoggin has been a supporter of the program for the past decade and has seen the need for the youth to have a range of their own.
“Mr. Scoggin has agreed to not only donate the use of his land, but also agreed to build the range with his own equipment,” McGee said. “It takes many people to keep this program rolling each year. Newton 4-H is thankful for the City of Newton for allowing the use of their range over the years. Mr. Scoggin has seen the long term vision of the program and has been so willing to always support the efforts.”
The facility will consist of 6 different ranges. Shotgun, archery, rifle, pistol, air rifle and air pistol will each have their own range.
The program has been very successful over the past 10 years. Each year, there has been anywhere from 40-65 youth from Newton County participating in the program, and every year there has been at least one member to qualify for the National Shooting Sports Match.
McGee said the program is driven by adult volunteers.
“These volunteers donate much more than their time,” McGee said. “They pour their hearts into teaching there youth about being safe around firearms by spending countless hours preparing and coaching these youth. They are all experts in their own disciplines. Many times they allow youth to use equipment they have purchased themselves.”
The main goal of the program is to teach youth how to be safe and responsible when using firearms. Youth are trained by certified volunteers on how to properly use archery and firearm equipment. They are required to have a minimum of 8 hours of range practice before they are allowed to compete at a match. Youth must be between the ages of 8 and 18 in order to participate.
