By FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer
If you can shoot it, a Cub Scout got the opportunity to do just that during Saturday’s Tecumseh District annual Shoot-O-Ree for Cub Scouts at Camp Oyo.
“I think we have 450 people registered, and they’ll be going to different stations throughout the camp,” said Matthew Seifert, district executive for the Tecumseh District. “Anything that involves the word ‘shoot’ — BBs, archery, slingshot, marbles, photography, basketball, those sorts of things.”
The National Rifle Association Foundation provided a $2,654 grant to provide new rifle range fencing, rifle range benching and a storage unit.
At the rifle range, special tables were set up for the Scouts to shoot from, with paper plates as targets. Boy Scout leader Jim Johnson explained the rules of the range to each of the participants, as parents watched. Then, in groups of six, shooters stepped up to the table and began firing.
Becky Scott, president of the Portsmouth Patriot Friends of the NRA, said it is important for young people to learn the safe use of firearms.
“One thing about guns is you have to learn proper gun handling to be safe,” Scott said. “And this is a great place to learn. You’ve got single parents out here. You’ve got parents that work. And you’ve got kids that are exposed to firearms. So this is a great opportunity for them to learn safe gun handling and what guns are used for properly.”
Another member of Friends of the NRA, Steve Aldridge echoed Scott’s thoughts.
“We have found that if you take the mystery away from firearms and show the kids what they’re capable of and how to safely handle them, it takes the wanting to touch away from it,” Aldridge said. “They enjoy shooting. They realize what these firearms are capable of doing. So they know that they can be hurt with them. So once they learn that lesson you really don’t have to worry about them messing with guns after that unless it’s in a safe environment.”
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.
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