In my experience most parents have no problem at all with the sport of riflery, which is a long time summer camp tradition.  However, some may wonder about the logic in teaching such a sport in a world that attempts to promote non-violence to children.  While gun violence is obviously a serious issue in our world today, camp riflery promotes just the type of skills -- safety, discipline, respect for others and self-control, which help to keep kids safe, both in and out of the camp environment. 

In fact, riflery is surprisingly safe.  According to the Civilian Marksmanship Program, which trains camp riflery instructors, since the new CMP standards of safety were implemented in 2003, there have been zero gun accidents in all supervised youth shooting sport activities in the United States.

Since 2008, when my brother Mitch and I became owners of Maine's Camp Waziyatah, we have seen many campers go home proudly with a rifle target showing their highest score of the summer.  Steeped in history, riflery is one of the classic camp activities and is very popular among campers.  Like other individual sports, shooting is basically non-competitive.  The main competition is with one's own experience, working to learn new skills and beat personal best scores, and is not necessarily about competing with other campers.  As a sport practiced at camp, riflery promotes pride in accomplishment and a sense of triumph as skills are mastered. 

There are several styles of basic target shooting, from prone (lying down) which is the easiest to master, and first to practice, to sitting, kneeling, and eventually standing.  Mastering these styles continues to up the level of skill needed so kids are not bored easily, and long term goals for advancement will keep them coming back to the rifle range year after year.  Though difficult to master, shooting does not require the same kind of physical ability as other youth sports.  Regardless of size, age, gender, and natural physical ability, all kids are able to succeed at shooting.

Though most would think it's a "guy sport," we find that both boys and girls enjoy shooting equally.  Our current instructor is female.  As a camp owner who has thoroughly enjoyed and practiced the sport since I was a camper years ago, I see riflery at camp continuing in the traditional style for many years to come. Riflery, like everything else at camp, is part of the growth experience with benefits that can last a lifetime.