From Eric Lipp, Manager of the Law Enforcement Division's popular Eddie Eagle program:

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program is happy to announce that they recently received grants from The NRA Foundation. Grants are awarded through revenue raised by the Friends of NRA for eligible educational programs.

New Friends of NRA Grants were awarded by the State Fund Committees from the following states: 

• Central California ($3,000)
• Arizona ($7,000)
• New Mexico ($2,500)
• Idaho ($2,000)
• North Carolina ($1,000) and 
• Arkansas ($5,000)

The Foundation grants allow the Eddie Eagle Program to provide Eddie Eagle materials – including workbooks, DVDs, and stickers – absolutely FREE of cost to law enforcement agencies, schools and educators, day cares, hospitals, and libraries.

These grants make it possible for the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to reach thousands of children every year with Eddie Eagle’s lifesaving message:

“STOP! DON’T TOUCH. LEAVE THE AREA. TELL AN ADULT.”

The funding is easy to use. Qualified users simply call 1-800-231-0752 and ask for ordering assistance using grant funding.

Learn more about the Eddie Eagle program.

The National Firearms Museum (NFM) hosted their second "Night at the Museum" for 2010 on Friday. As luck would have it, Senior Curator Phil Schreier was on hand to report:

Boy Scout Troop 2010 from South Riding, Virginia visited the NRA National Firearms Museum Friday night for A Night at the Museum. Some of you might recognize Troop 2010 Committee member Mark A. Keefe IV as the Editor in Chief of NRA's own American Rifleman magazine. Mark and his son Duncan brought the troop out for a tour of the museum before everyone found a spot in the auditorium to watch "The Wind & the Lion", a classic film by NRA Board member John Milius.

After the movie, the troop was granted a VIP tour of the museum vault where guns from the upcoming "Hollywood Guns" exhibit were being staged. Firearms like the Remington 11-87 from "No Country for Old Men," Obi-Wan Kenobi's light saber from "Star Wars" (pictured at right), and a Colt 1895 Potato Digger from "The Wind & The Lion" were available for the guys to examine.

NFM hosts a variety of events throughout the year. A Night at the Museum is an opportunity for Boy Scouts and other NRA cooperative youth organizations to experience a behind the scenes look at the many treasures held here at headquarters. For more information or to become an affiliated club, contact the NRA Clubs and Associations Department at (800) NRA-CLUB.

Columbia, MO -- Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA are pleased to announce a donation of $500,000 to the NRA Foundation’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge.

“The NRA’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge has an impact on thousands of young people each year thanks to generous people like the Potterfields,” Kayne Robinson, Executive Director of NRA’s General Operations, said. “We at the NRA are committed to preserving hunting for generations to come, and YHEC is a tried and true, hands-on approach to doing just that.”

Established in 1985, the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is NRA's "graduate studies" program in outdoor skills and safety training for young hunters. Though YHEC is a competitive program, the real "challenge" for participants lies with skill development and the advancement of hunter safety and responsibility.

Each year, the program culminates with an international event. Since its inception the YHEC program has reached more than one million young sportsmen and women. YHEC has grown from ten participating states/provinces to over forty.

The immediate benefits of YHEC on the participants are important as well as the long range impact of the program: the positive outreach and education the participants and volunteers bring to their families, neighbors and communities; the importance of promoting hunting as a viable and most efficient method of controlling wildlife; fostering propagation, growth, conservation and wise use of our renewable wildlife resources; developing environmentally aware leaders and encouraging our youth to be active citizens with an interest in preserving the hunting heritage.

Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA remarked, “Brenda and I are excited to be able to assist the NRA Foundation in supporting this type of initiative to focus on developing tomorrow’s leaders today. Changing the future requires us to make the commitment in time or money to support these efforts.”

For more information about the Potterfields or MidwayUSA, please visit www.midwayusa.com or call 1-800-243-3220.

For more information about the NRA Foundation and the Youth Hunter Education Challenge, please visit www.nrafoundation.org.

Sheri Judd comes to the NRA from Oak Harbor, Ohio, where she worked with the Civilian Marksmanship Program for eight years. During the snow storm in late December, Judd made the drive to Virginia to begin her position in our Education & Training Division. "I'm afraid I brought some of Ohio's weather with me, and I'm sorry about that," Judd joked.

This energetic mother of three has years of experience in national youth shooting sports programs and training. This, along with her knowledge of national and club competitions and relationship with military shooting teams, shooting industry vendors and equipment manufacturers will be an asset to NRA Youth Programs, Youth Programs Manager Larry Quandahl said.

Here at the NRA, Judd will be working with Cooperative Youth Programs – specifically with the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force JROTC Commands and high schools throughout the country; the American Legion shooting sports program; the VFW and YMCA youth marksmanship programs; and the Outstanding Achievement Youth Award.

Judd is a long-time "team mom," from many years ago when her oldest son was an air rifle competitor. Today, youngest son, Remington, 12, keeps Judd busy. After a busy workweek, Judd packs up her car with Remington and his high power rifle gear and the two head to Quantico, VA, where Remington practices with his new team, VFEMI Jr High Power team. Does Remington feel pressured to follow in his older siblings' footsteps in the shooting sports world? "Not at all," Judd said. "This is what he wants to do."

Judd and her three children are adjusting to the northern Virginia area. "There's more to do here as a family than back in Ohio," she said. "We like it here just fine." We're glad to have you here, Sheri! Readers, stick around. We'll be hearing plenty more from the talented folks in our Youth Programs department.

Thanks to Nicole McMahon for the following:

The University of Wyoming’s shotgun team, Cowboy Shootout, recently received a grant for $10,000 from The NRA Foundation. Wyoming NRA Field Representative Dave Manzer was on hand this past weekend at the Invitational Match held at Cheyenne Trap Club to present the grant. Ten other teams from throughout the country were in attendance to witness the grant presentation, which Manzer says helps spread the word about The NRA Foundation’s grant program to provide much needed funding to youth shooting sports.

“Our grant presentation last year to the [Cowboy Shootout] shotgun team spawned a grant request from Colorado State University to the Colorado Friends of NRA,” said Manzer. “Their team eventually was awarded about $8,000. They never would’ve received that money if it weren’t for our grant presentation to Cowboy Shootout.”

Supporting teams like the Cowboy Shootout is a win-win situation for the Wyoming Friends of NRA. It experiences the satisfaction of helping develop and support a youth shooting team and the team comes out to Friends of NRA banquets where extra help is always appreciated.

More...

About a week ago, we told you how Moe Aguilar was going to lend a hand to Pintail Point's Mentored Youth Hunt. Finally back in the fold, Moe is here to tell you how things went:

The Maryland DNR Mentored Junior Hunter Day on February 20 at the River Plantation in Queenstown, Maryland was a big success.

All the youngsters made it through the instructional safety clinic in plenty of time to enjoy the sporting clays course. After the warm up, it was time to take aim at some mallard ducks.

The parents and the Maryland DNR staff was just as excited as the young hunters as they took their first shots. The biggest excitement was seeing the youngsters hit their first clays or mallards. One young hunter was so excited after hitting his first duck that he walked to his father, safely handed him the gun, and jumped up and down with his hands in the air.

Patricia Allen, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for Maryland Department of Natural Resources truly enjoys welcoming young families into the tradition of hunting.

“It was a great opportunity to introduce newcomers to Maryland’s Hunting Heritage. It was also a great opportunity to reach out to their parents on the importance of being hunting mentors. It is my hope that this Mentored Youth Hunt helped create some life-long hunters.”

A reminder from Nicole McMahon:

The National Youth Education Summit’s deadline is March 1st! If you are a current high school sophomore or junior, you can fill out the application here to be considered for the 2010 Summit.

The National Rifle Association launched the National Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) in 1996 in an effort to encourage America's youth to become active and knowledgeable citizens. The Summit is a seven-day, expense-paid leadership week in Washington, D.C. Each year, the NRA selects the best and the brightest students to visit the nation's capital where participants learn the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights while developing an understanding of federal government and the importance of active participation.

For more information, please email YES@nrahq.org or call 1-800-672-3888 ext. 1342.

The Arkansas City Traveler recently ran a piece on the recipient of the 2009 Tyler Juden Memorial Scholarship for this year's Youth Hunter Education Challenge.

Juden scholarship recipient announced

The winner of the Tyler Juden Memorial Scholarship for 2009 is Christopher Crain, of Arkansas City.

Crain will attend an adventure camp at the NRA Whittington Center, located in Raton, N.M., with all expenses paid through the memorial fund.

During his stay, Crain will participate in a wide range of activities involving gun safety, marksmanship and hunting skills improvement.

Sporting Friends of Cowley County, which hosts the local YHEC and Women on Target events, selected the top five contestants from the 2009 YHEC Senior Division as candidates for the scholarship.

The contestants were invited to write an essay about "What Freedom Means to Me," and answer questions about their activities and experiences.

The entries were submitted anonymously to an independent panel of judges from the American Legion and the VFW, and also including Ark City Police Chief Sean Wallace, an English teacher from the local high school and an ethics teacher from Cowley College.

Continue reading the story here. You can also find out more about the Tyler Juden Memorial Scholarship here.

NRA's Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) teaches those who've passed a state's hunter safety course the outdoor skills necessary to take their hunting experience to the next level. And like all events, sometimes there's a need for flexibility.

Arizona's YHEC, for example, was forced to move from their original scheduled start of Saturday, February 13 to Saturday, May 22. Though the time has changed, the itinerary is still the same. And even though this is Arizona’s very first state YHEC, they were lucky enough to have it take place at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility located in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Arizona State YHEC promises to include the original eight events (four shooting events and four responsibility events) during the student's stay. The four shooting events include rifle, shotgun, and two types of archery. Responsibility events include Wildlife Identification, Orienteering, a Hunter Safety Trail and a Responsibility Exam. Each participant will receive a NRA YHEC T-Shirt, the NRA Hunter’s guide, a certificate of participation, and a plethora of other items.

Anyone who'd like to take advantage of the May start should contact Denise Raum, Hunter Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish, at 326-236-7567.

The Kit Carson Rod & Gun Club, located near Crestone, CO, held a free youth clinic last summer that taught kids how to comfortably and safely handle firearms. NRABlog always enjoys learning about what clubs are up to around the country, and we were lucky enough to receieve a write-up and some photos of the event to share with our readers. Be sure to check out the club's programs if you are in the area and interested in quality instruction.

On August 22, 2009 the Kit Carson Rod and Gun Club (KCR&GC) completed a four day Youth Clinic for firearms safety and Olympic style training. This event was made possible by the help of a Saguache County sales tax grant, the Colorado Dept. of Wildlife (CDOW), and volunteer members of the KCR&GC. 13 students from Bonanza, Center, Crestone, Saguache and Moffat, ranging in ages 10 – 17, completed classroom instruction on Colorado State and US Federal firearms laws taught by John Baker, and hunter education taught by CDOW Agent, Jason Surface. 

 

Practical Firing Range safety instruction and Olympic style shooting positions were taught by KCR&GC Range Officer Gerald Robertson, a former Olympian, and his son Gerald Robertson Jr. a competition shooter throughout his school years and military service.

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From Club Connecion:

Cross Trail Outfitters (CTO) is a non-profit hunting and fishing club for boys ages 7-20. Activities center on hands-on, in-the-field hunting and fishing trips. Our goal is to provide opportunities for each participant to go on at least one outing per month. These outings include the full spectrum of outdoor sports – all kinds of fishing, wing shooting, big and small game hunting, and even "dream trips."

Mike Arnold, a lifelong hunter and fisherman, founded CTO just over four years ago. After several years in media and politics, Mike's professional outdoor career started as the business director of Texas Trophy Hunters and he has also served on the board of Safari Club International. Since starting CTO over four years ago, he has personally guided over 175 kids through shooting their first big game animal, but is much more proud of having personally led many more kids than that to Christ in that time.

"Most men have an inborn desire that craves the outdoor experience. We are 'Wild at Heart' from birth," says Arnold. Only two decades ago, hunting and fishing engaged over 40% of the adult population. Now, the number of kids getting involved has dropped off dramatically.

More...

Camp Perry will once again host the NRA National Junior Pistol Camp July 12 - 16, 2010. Thanks to the generous contribution from the Ohio Gun Collectors, NRA will once again offer first time participants a scholarship of up to $500. Scholarship funds can be used to cover the $175.00 camp tuition and/or travel costs. This year the camp will be open to Beginning and Intermediate pistol shooters. Camp Participants will be evaluated on the first day of camp and placed with a Coach.

Campers will utilize both .22 caliber pistols and air pistols in their training. The Civilian Marksmanship Unit's new Air Gun Shooting Center will be used, allowing campers to shoot on electronic targets. Most of the training will take place on the covered Petraca range across from Hough Theater. For more information, call 877-NRA-Match, or email compadmin@nrahq.org.

Deputy Sheriff Leia Loveday finished up the year 2009 with 19 days of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. Deputy Loveday was able to reach over 500 kids in kindergarten through 2nd grades at Sevierville Primary School, in Sevierville, Tennessee.Spending on average about 1½ hours with each class, Deputy Loveday used visuals and group work to make the lesson as enjoyable as possible. “We had a blast!” Loveday said. “Our principals were very supportive. This program makes a huge impact on our community.”

This being her first year teaching the program, we want to thank Deputy Loveday for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety and well being of the children in her community.Find out more about the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.

February 8 marks the 100th birthday of Boy Scouts of America, one of the NRA's cooperative youth organizations. 

For one hundred years, BSA has taught young men the basic values of being “Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Clean, Brave and Reverent.” Of equal importance, the program emphasizes a respect and enjoyment of the outdoors, including various firearm safety courses. 

Read more about the Scouts in this article, published in Texas' TimesRecordNews:

Celebrating 100th birthday of the Scouting program

It’s a yearlong event where BSA will reintroduce to America the positive contributions Scouting makes in communities across the country and in the lives of our country’s youth. Nationally, as well as locally, the 100th Anniversary celebration will include other major events, activities, and initiatives to engage nearly 3 million youth and 1.2 million volunteers; an estimated 50 million Scouting alumni; and the general public across this nation. Bob Mazucca, BSA’s Chief Scout Executive, stated, “Our goal is not simply to recognize 100 years of service. Our expectation is that this anniversary will lay the foundation for making the BSA better and stronger for its next 100 years.”

The Boy Scouts of America serves nearly 4.7 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age with more than 302 councils throughout the United States. It is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. It’s a program that has inspired a nation.

For 100 years, Scouting has been helping the youth of America find, in themselves and in the world around them, more than they thought possible. It’s legacy is a century of building character and instilling, in our nation’s youth, a spirit of achievement and of success. At its center is God, family, patriotism, responsibility, leadership, and respect.

NRAblog usually pounces on an opportunity to met outdoor writers and television hosts like Oregon's Gary Lewis. But after introducing us to his YES alumna daughter, we pushed Gary aside and spent a few quality minutes with Jennifer.

Found exiting the Press Room at the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada was YES alumna Jennifer Lewis. Attending the convention as an assistant to her father, this was her first trip outside of Bend, Oregon since coming to Washington, DC for the Youth Education Summit (YES).

"I wasn't sure what the trip would entail," said Jennifer. "But all my expectations were fulfilled."

While attending YES, Jennifer and the group of high school sophomores and juniors visited museums, government buildings, and government officials to learn more about the federal government and the importance of active participation.

"It was my first time to DC so it was a pretty exciting experience," Jennifer recalled. "But it's hard to say what part was my favorite. I really liked the tour through the Pentagon. That was a really cool experience. Our White House tour was interesting - just a little too quick."

YES also introduces students to the people who make the government run. Politics, apparently, struck a note with the young Oregonian. "That's something I'm super excited about. I love politics so I was taking notes furiously through that session." More...