General Range and Target Activities Training Questions?
Mike McDougald
Cradle of Liberty Range and Target Activities Chairman
(484) 716-6405
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025
BB Training is offered 9am-Noon; Archery Training is offered Noon-4pm
Scouting America requires all Range and Target Activities (including Cub Scout archery, BB guns, wrist rockets/slingshots, catapults or rockets) to be supervised by an adult with the appropriate certification. At the Cub Scout level, BB and archery is only allowed at district and council-operated events, and may not be conducted at the pack or den level. The Archery rangemaster course DOES NOT certify someone to conduct archery events at the troop, crew/ship, and post level. This training covers setting up a range, safety, handling equipment, using a bow stringer, maintaining and storing equipment, and instructing Scouts. This certification is valid for two years from the course completion date.
2025 Dates to be Announced
An NRA certified range safety officer (RSO) is required to provide live firing range supervision for all shooting activities involving Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts. All live fire activities require one or more range safety officers to be present on the range. The RSO is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations. The RSO is familiar Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); range inspection; range rules; range briefings; emergency procedures; and firearm stoppages and malfunctions.
2025 Dates to be Announced
The NRA Basic course is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience. This is the traditional, instructor-led course where you will receive direct instruction from an NRA-certified instructor from beginning to end, with a hands-on practical portion conducted in a classroom and shooting range with an instructor. We’ll cover safety, firearm parts and what they do, safely handling a firearm, storage, clearing malfunctions, cleaning, and ammunition. We can provide both guns & ammo for students if required but it is suggested you bring your own firearm and ammo, at least 100 rounds that you normally use. Please bring your own Eye and ear protection.
2025 Dates to be Announced
This course will run for two full days and meet all requirements and standards to become an NRA Pistol Instructor. Both days must be attended, and NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting is a mandatory prerequisite. Instructor candidates must pass level 4 instructor qualification to pass the class. All candidates should be experienced shooters with a strong background in firearms and safety. Participants must have a tablet or laptop that can run PowerPoint and PDF documents. Please remember NRA Instructor Courses are performance-based courses, Instructor Candidates must possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for this level of training.
2025 Dates to be Announced
This course teaches basic knowledge, skills, & attitude for the safe and proper use of a shotgun in shooting a moving target. Includes classroom & range time. Course is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; shotgun parts and operation; shotgun shell components; shotgun shell malfunctions; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting at straight away and angled targets; cleaning; and continued opportunities for skill development. Live-fire exercises will be conducted at a Trap Range. Shotguns & ammo (at least 75 shells, shot size 7.5 or 8 ONLY) required. We can provide both guns & ammo for students if required but it is suggested you bring your own firearm and ammo that you normally use. Please bring your own Eye and ear protection. There are NO local eateries please bring lunch.
2025 Dates to be Announced
This course will run for two full days and meet all requirements and standards to become an NRA Shotgun Instructor. Both days must be attended, and NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting is a mandatory prerequisite. All candidates should be experienced shooters with a strong background in firearms and safety. Please remember NRA Instructor Courses are performance-based courses, Instructor Candidates must possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for this level of training. We can provide both guns & ammo for students if required but it is suggested you bring your own firearm and ammo, at least 75 shells that you normally use. Participants must have a tablet or laptop that can run PowerPoint and PDF documents. Bring a laptop, student basic course materials, notetaking and a 2” binder. There are NO local eateries please bring lunch. Please bring your own Eye and ear protection.
2025 Dates to be Announced
This course teaches basic knowledge, skills, & attitude for the safe and proper use of a Rifle. Includes classroom & range time. Course is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; parts and operation; ammo malfunctions; shooting fundamentals; range rules; cleaning; and continued opportunities for skill development. Live-fire exercises will be conducted at the Range. Rifles & ammo at least 100 rounds of ammo are required. 22LR highly suggested as the targets will be posted at 25 yards. We can provide both guns & ammo for students if required but it is suggested you bring your own firearm and ammo that you normally use. There are NO local eateries please bring lunch. Please bring your own Eye and ear protection.
2025 Dates to be Announced
This course will run for two full days and meet all requirements and standards to become an NRA Rifle Instructor. Both days must be attended, and NRA Basics of Rifle Shooting is a mandatory prerequisite. All candidates should be experienced shooters with a strong background in firearms and safety. Please remember NRA Instructor Courses are performance-based courses, Instructor Candidates must possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for this level of training. We can provide both guns & ammo for students if required but it is suggested you bring your own firearm and ammo, at least 100 rounds that you normally use. 22LR highly suggested as the targets will be posted at 25 yards. Participants must have a tablet or laptop that can run PowerPoint and PDF documents. Bring a laptop, Eye and ear protection, student basic course materials, notetaking materials and a 2” binder. There are NO local eateries please bring lunch. Please bring your own Eye and ear protection.
During Memorial Day, the Service Center and Scout Shop will be closed on Monday, May 26th.
On Friday, May 30, the Service Center will start our Summer hours. Please visit scoutingphilly.org/hours
