The Post 904 Junior Shooting Sports Program was the best kept secret in Jefferson County.  The following is how this best kept secret turned into a thriving success.

The Post 904 Junior Shooting Sports Program was started by Richard Drake about 13 years ago. This program would not be here today, if it wasn’t for him.

However, over time, the program was hit with a multitude of difficult circumstances, no fault of its own, to include serious health issues, covid-19 restrictions, lack of volunteer resources, and at times a lack of continuity due to changes in leadership.

Oftentimes programs are challenged with just one of these circumstances, but all of this in succession can create an environment that it is difficult to succeed in.

Three seasons ago, in fall 2022 to spring 2023, the program’s enrollment was 4 bb gun shooters and 1 air rifle shooter.  There was also a small group of senior ladies shooting air pistol.

After the season ended, in the summer of 2023, Richard had stepped back into the leadership role. Based on observations regarding participation, under Richard’s direction it was decided to adopt a proactive approach and make a hard push to advertise the program.

Promotional materials, such as the trifold pamphlet you see in front of you, and promotional displays were developed. An online presence was established.

Opportunities to be able to tell people about our programs, to include the Clayton gun show and the Jefferson County Fair, became a priority. It was literally a “boots on the ground” effort.  The program even connected with Jefferson County 4-H to help them start a shooting sports program.

The goal for that year was to have one relay of 8 youth in both disciplines of B. B guns and air rifle while still maintaining a group of ladies shooting air pistol. We ended up far surpassing our goal of sixteen with over forty youth wishing to participate. The number of relays grew from 2 to 6.

Now, in our most recent season, the program has grown to over fifty youth from all over the county and a youth air pistol program was added. The awards ceremony this year had over one hundred people in attendance. 

In addition to this being a fun activity for the kids to participate in, we jumped into competition with both feet…  Now…..we all know that winning isn’t everything, but it is fun. In the last two years Post 904 brought home fifteen metals from the New York State 3 Position Air Rifle Championship in Cicero, NY.

Our volunteers are passionate and mission focused. This season we had a total 9 volunteers, who traveled over 11,000 miles, and spent over 2100 hour to support this program.

Our mission is teaching gun safety and marksmanship while simultaneously teaching positive life skills that help youth to succeed. Skills such as self-discipline, self-control, goal setting, the importance of routines, and sometimes most importantly, it is ok to have a bad day!!

This story can be any program’s story. Does your mission excite you? Are you willing to encourage new volunteers with new talents to build up your program? Will you reject the benchmark of the status quo and take a chance at greater success?

Yes it takes time, energy, and resources to unite behind a single vision. It requires boots on the ground and miles driven. It sometimes requires stepping out of your comfort zone. It also takes humility to know that you are not bigger than the mission you support.

The last thing I wish to say before our quick video presentation is that Jefferson County is hungry for this type of programming. Our program is a county sized program, but we only have a post size volunteer workforce. We need volunteers to help in administrative roles and on the firing line. The less 1 single person shoulders, the lighter the load. This creates a positive, energetic environment, while simultaneously allowing the Junior Shooting Sports Program to continue to make a positive impact on the youth in this area. 

When the vision is not about what we get out of it, but what we give to our community, that is the definition of Americanism.

If anyone wants to help, the program email and phone number is on the back of the pamphlet at your table.

Thank you.