Shooting Sports discipline leader watches youth develop

The 4-H mission says ?4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences.? 4-H in Washington County cannot be what it is today without the many different types of volunteers.

Leaders are a term often referred to in the 4-H volunteer world. These adult leaders coordinate the monthly club meetings and events for their clubs. The Washington County 4-H program has over 60 adult club leaders. Eight of those adult leaders take on the powerful responsibility of teaching youth about the safety and skills behind shooting sports.

Washington County has had an active shooting sports specialty club, Bows and Bullets 4-H Club, for many years. They meet once a month for a business meeting and they meet one to two times a month for special range time for youth to practice and develop their shooting sports skills. Youth can borrow equipment or bring their own to learn to shoot archery, muzzle loaders, shotgun, and air rifles. It takes a special kind of volunteer to have that specialized experience and knowledge and be passionate about working with youth.

Ralph Cox has been a Bows and Bullets discipline leader for six years. He has training in archery and rifle disciplines. He retired from 30 years as a police officer in Iowa City and currently works for the Parking Enforcement Department there. He enjoys seeing the members? progress and developed confidence in learning new shooting skills. He has seen several quiet new members take charge after a few years of training.

?Ralph is patient with new members in providing safe handling of the equipment,? explained Don Pfeiffer, a co-leader with Cox. ?The members learn fundamentals and accurate shooting from him.?

Other Bows and Bullets 4-H Club leaders include Don Pfeiffer, Steve Stender, Kolin Ross, Marvin Mast, Michele Pegg, Scott and Cindy Mellinger.

More adult volunteers are always needed with this growing shooting sports club and project area. Please contact a leader or the Extension Office, 319-653-4811, if you would like to learn more about this club and volunteer opportunities.