Teen Shooting Academy keeps tradition alive
By Rich Davenport
New York Outdoor News
Hamburg, N.Y. — Eager teens gathered in Hamburg this fall for the start of the
third year of the Teen Shooting Academy (TSA), the only school of its kind to
teach firearms safety, handling and marksmanship specifically to youths age
12-16.
The TSA has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a course to help Boy
Scouts earn their marksmanship merit badge. After that first 8-week class
three years ago, the academy has become a full-blown school, chartered as a
non-profit organization under the New York State Department of Education.
Students can enroll in the program for instruction in safe handling and
operation of rifles, shotguns or handguns. Supported by such organizations as
the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Niagara Frontier Friends
of the NRA, SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education) of New York and
Safari Club International, the TSA continues to grow in popularity, especially
among teen-age girls and others interested in embracing their Second Amendment
rights with safety and responsibility. This fall, about 40 youths gathered at
Erie County Federation’s 2007 Club of the Year, the Hamburg Rod & Gun Club on
Hickox Road, to embark on their journey of learning. Students get a heavy dose
of firearms safety before they’re allowed to handle firearms with live
ammunition on one of the ranges, under instructor supervision. All teachers
are NRA-certified firearms instructors, well versed in every facet of proper
firearms handling, safety and marksmanship. This year, the TSA received
an honor and grant from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoors Writers
(AGLOW) and Bass Pro Shops under the “Keeping the Tradition Alive” program.
With the cost of ammunition rising nearly 20 percent over the past 12 months,
grants such as these will keep the TSA operating, providing a unique service
no other school delivers. Students came from all over western New York,
with half the classes comprised of girls. In fact, the shotgun training class
was primarily made up of young women interested in taking up deer hunting with
their fathers once they turn 16. “I want to hunt with my dad when I turn 16,”
said Jessica Walton of Hamburg, “and learning how to handle a shotgun safely
is the responsible thing to do.” “Me, too,” added Alexis Christ of
Williamsville. “I have wanted to go hunting with my Dad for a long time, and
learning how to handle a shotgun is the first step.” “The students are
the focus of the TSA,” said Bob Church, chairman of the academy. “Like any
other school, we have tests, mandatory attendance policies and, of course,
each student must have parental consent to handle a firearm on the range.
Parents are certainly welcome and encouraged to attend the TSA, but they are
to be seen, not heard.”
Although the TSA has evolved from a program geared toward Boy Scouts, the
school does still provide instruction necessary for the marksmanship merit
badge, as evidenced by several Boy Scouts enrolled in the rifle class,
including Alex Bartoshevich of Williamsville. “I like to hunt with my dad,
and learning marksmanship skills not only will help me earn my merit badge,
but make me a better hunter and more responsible firearms handler,”
Bartoshevich said. Although students may enroll in only one of the three
classes offered during any given TSA flight, nothing prevents students from
enrolling in other classes at subsequent sessions. Abbey Wharton was enrolled
in the rifle class this session, but this is her second time through the TSA;
last year she took the handgun class, enjoyed it tremendously, and decided to
return for another session.
“Target shooting is a lot of fun,” said Wharton. “And the lessons learned here
are skills I will have my entire life. The rewards can be endless.”
The next TSA session is slated to begin in February 2008. For more information
concerning enrolling your son or daughter in the TSA, or if you wish to donate
to the academy, contact Church at (716) 592-7211.