MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountaineer Area Council of Scouting America has entered into a partnership with West Virginia University Rifle Team.
The scouts will get an opportunity to learn from team members while the team will can shoot at Camp Mountaineer just a few miles outside of Morgantown.
Mountaineer Area Council Scout Executive Scott Hanson said arrangement will be an exciting opportunity for the scouts and WVU Rifle Team members will have a place to practice closer than the Pennsylvania location that has been used in the past.
“Camp Mountaineer is really only about five or seven miles south of the WVU campus,” Hanson said. “It’s a great opportunity for those students to be a part of the team but also be able to practice locally.”
Some changes and additions, including new equipment, were completed to meet the standards required for the team.
“Thanks to the help of the Hayhurst family, Jim Davis, and Christy Hayhurst, we were able to modify our range set up to meet the specifications needed by the WVU Rifle Team and add in the electronic components they need for their electronic targeting,” Hanson said.
Hanson said this will be a unique opportunity to watch and talk to some of the top collegiate shooters in the country, teaching the scouts about guns and showing them how they can be used safely for competition or pleasure.
“What it could be outside of just being in middle school or high school and how they could take it into collegiate competition, possibly to the Olympics with the WVU team, I think is quite impressive.”
Over the summer, one of the WVU Rifle members came to Camp Mountaineer once a week to spend time with the scouts. Hanson said the team member brought a wide-variety of equipment and gave the scouts an up-close look at competitive shooting.
“It gave them some exposure to what the rifle team is all about, and it went across really well.” Hanson said. “I know the student had a great time talking to the scouts, and the scouts had a great time seeing the different styles of equipment they use when they are in competitive rifle shooting.”
Information from Scouting America describes age-appropriate shooting sports as a way to “teach children valuable life skills like personal discipline, responsibility, and sportsmanship.” Some of the benefits described are related to physical activity, improved focus, and mental well-being.
“Beyond safety, it’s that discipline,” Hanson said. “Taking your time, making sure you are dotting the “I’s” and crossing the “T’s” to follow the requirements and procedures to become proficient in the shooting sports.”