New Jersey 4-H programs require the use of National or State 4-H Trained & Certified Instructors to conduct classes/programs in the various shooting sports disciplines (Air Rifle, Rifle, Archery, Black Powder, Hunting & Wildlife, Pistol and Shotgun).
No person may be certified as instructor until the following requirements are met:
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Age:
Instructor - 21 years of age or older
Assistant Instructor - 18 to 21 years of age (Assistant Instructor- can instruct youth under direct supervision of an instructor and ONLY if the instructor is present during the instruction)
Junior Instructors – 16 to 18 years of age. (Junior Instructors, 4-H club members in good standing, can only assist an Instructor in the teaching of youth under direct supervision of an instructor and ONLY if the instructor is present during the instruction) - Successfully complete instructor training sessions administered by the State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Council or National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee and demonstrate competency to instruct as determined through a written test, trainer observation and other screening used before and during training. Volunteers who attend an out of state 4-H shooting sports training must complete the New Jersey State 4-H Shooting Sports Risk Management training before their certification will be recognized in New Jersey.
- Have been screened, trained, and appointed as a current 4-H Volunteer through the local County Extension Office.
- Volunteers who respond positively to the question on criminal offenses will be subject to further review, and may not qualify as a Shooting Sports volunteer.
- Be recommended by County Extension 4-H faculty & staff to work with 4-H Shooting Sports.
- New Jersey volunteers taking the firearms trainings (with the exception of Archery) must have a current or obtain a New Jersey Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. (Junior Instructors are exempt from this rule, since they are unable to obtain a Firearms Purchaser Identification card). Having the ID card allows instructors to receive, purchase, transfer and transport firearms. (It is not required to transport firearms, but highly recommended), and it verifies the instructor’s authorization to possess firearms in New Jersey. Current firearms instructors (Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzle Loader) must obtain their NJ Firearms ID card by June of 2012 and new instructors must obtain their NJ Firearms ID within 6 month of receiving their certification or their firearms certifications will be invalid.
- Only one (1) discipline certification may be achieved at a single state sponsored training and certification workshop. A participant must attend ALL of the training sessions at a State 4-H Sponsored Workshop which includes a minimum 14 hours of discipline instruction and additional training on topics of 4-H shooting sports philosophy, youth development, risk management, planning county programs and additional topics identified by the State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Council or 4-H Department. The New Jersey State 4-H Department of 4-H Youth Development and the NJ4-H State Shooting Sports Coordinator reserves the right to withhold or revoke certifications.
Adapted from the Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports Plan and Policy
Approved by 4-H Department 12/09
Amended 12/11