Shooting Sports Trainings

Interested in running your own range?

Enable your youth to have fun in a controlled environment and learn the hobby of shooting sports.

Where can we run Shooting Sports programs?

1. Our camps have archery and BB ranges that can be rented.
2. Additionally, other ranges can be utilized if they have been approved by the Shooting Sports Committee. For a current list, contact the Staff Advisor of the Shooting Sports Committee.

What do I need to run a range?

The BSA National Shooting Sports Manual (30931) is updated regularly. If it has different requirements that what is written here, follow the Shooting Sports Manual.

Archery Range

• Use a camp range, or another approved range.
• Follow a 1 instructor per 8 youth ratio
• An adult leader running the range who hold a current certification for:
  • BSA Archery Rangemaster if you are running the range for a Cub Scout Pack
  • USA Archery Level 1 Instructor if you are running the range for a Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scouting Ship

BB Range

• Use a camp range, or another approved range.
• Follow a 1 instructor per 8 youth ratio
• Instructors running the range must hold a current certification for one of the following:
  • BB Gun Rangemaster
  • National Camping School Shooting Sports Director
  • NRA Rifle Instructor

Slingshot Range

Cub Scout Packs are not allowed to run a slingshot range as a unit activity.

• Use a camp range, or another approved range.
• Follow a 1 instructor per 4 youth ratio
• Instructors running the range must hold a current certification for one of the following:
  • BB Gun Rangemaster
  • National Camping School Shooting Sports Director
  • NRA Rifle Instructor

Rifle Range

Cub Scouts are not allowed to shoot rifles.

• Use a camp range, or another approved range.
• Have an NRA Range Safety Officer on the range. They do not count as an instructor.
• Follow a 1 instructor per 8 youth ratio
• Instructors running the range must hold a current certification for one of the following:
  • National Camping School Shooting Sports Director
  • NRA Rifle Instructor

Shotgun Range

Cub Scouts are not allowed to shoot shotguns.

• Use a camp range, or another approved range.
• Have an NRA Range Safety Officer on the range. They do not count as an instructor.
• Follow a:
  • 1 instructor per 6 youth ratio for instruction
  • 1 instructor per 1 youth ratio for loading and firing
• Instructors running the range must hold a current certification for one of the following:
  • National Camping School Shooting Sports Director
  • NRA Shotgun Instructor

Pistol Range

Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA Scouts are not allowed to shoot pistols. Only Venturing Crews and Sea Scouting Ships are approved to shoot pistols.

• Use a camp range, or another approved range.
• Have an NRA Range Safety Officer on the range. They do not count as an instructor.
• Follow a:
  • 1 instructor per 6 youth ratio for instruction
  • 1 instructor per 2 youth ratio for loading and firing
• Instructors running the range must hold a current certification for one of the following:
  • National Camping School Shooting Sports Director
  • NRA Pistol Instructor

Training opportunities For Adults

Adult leaders interested in running a range for their unit are in luck! The Northern Star Shooting Sports Committee runs several trainings a year to ensure that shooting sports is accessible to every unit.

Every Spring and Fall, the Shooting Sports Committee runs several BSA Rangemaster courses. Offerings include a BSA Archery Rangemaster course, BSA BB Rangemaster course, BSA Archery and BB Rangemaster course (both in one day), and an online re-certification for those who are looking to "re-up" their certification and have participated in an in-person course in the last 3 years. For more information on our Spring offerings, click the button below.

Register for BSA Rangemaster Trainings

Every Spring and Fall, the Shooting Sports Committee runs an USA Archery Level 1 Instructor course. Information on the next course will be posted when it is available to sign up.

More information coming soon!

Every Spring, the Shooting Sports Committee partners with an outside vendor to offer NRA courses. This course in run in April or May, takes up and entire weekend, and offers NRA Basic Rifle, NRA Basic Shotgun, NRA Rifle Instructor, and the NRA Shotgun Instructor certifications! We run this course primarily to train our camp staff, but there are always additional spots open, so we open up the course to interested adult leaders. Information on the next course will be posted when it is available to sign up.

More information coming soon!

Northern Star Council does not offer an NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO) course, as our staff are required to receive a higher certification to run our camps. However, there are several options to get this certification.

1. Ten Ring, a private group, offers some additional training offerings, including an RSO course on February 17th, 2024. Registration is available here: https://www.tenring.org/training.php
2. If you possess a valid NRA Firearm (Rifle, Shotgun, etc.) Instructor certification, you can take an online RSO course. For more information, head to the NRA RSO website