Behind the 4-H livestock tent at the Chesapeake Jubilee last weekend, a new 4-H club banner flapped in the breeze sharing space with the traditional livestock and baking club exhibitors.
The Virginia Beach Sharpshooters 4-H Shooting and Education Club, formed last November, hung their banner and signs and offered air rifle target practice inside a parked horse trailer to raise awareness and funds. Its mission is to teach handling and life skills to area youth through the local hunting and shooting sports community.
"If we don't spread our passion about our sport to our kids, then it will be lost," said Tim Putnam, who started the club with wife Michelle. "We've got to get them in the woods and knowledgeable about the outdoors."
The Putnams and neighbor, Eddie Foley, wanted to get their own kids involved in an organization that would teach gun safety and handling skills.
"We just couldn't find one," Michelle Putnam said. "The closest ones are in Wakefield and the Eastern Shore.
"We decided to give our kids and others more options."
Her daughter, Paige, 12, has grown up watching her parents shoot for sport and hunt. But she had no interest in taking part.
"I used to be afraid of any type of gun," she said. "I didn't want to touch one."
Her curiosity got the best of her and she joined the sharpshooters club along with her younger sister, Sarra, 9.
"I found that guns aren't bad," Paige Putnam added. "It's the person that picks it up."
Safety is heavily emphasized in the club. Leaders are certified through the National Rifle Association and other sanctioning groups. Michelle Putnam is a member of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Council.
"We do everything we can to educate about gun safety," Foley said. "Safety training is first before any club member shoots a gun or bow and arrow."
"Mistakes with guns are made when you haven't had training," Tim Putnam added.
Club member, Steven Foley, 11, has been up in a deer stand with his Dad.
"I really like archery and have really improved my skill level since the club started," he said. "I just started shooting at 50 yards."
Training to participate in upcoming state riflery and archery competitions is under way. The club practices one discipline a month in archery, air rifle, air pistol, trap, skeet, 22 small bore rifle and pistol training at various area ranges. Current members number 37, hailing from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth. The club, which holds one business meeting per month, is open to Hampton Roads residents ages nine through 19.
"I like to turkey hunt with my dad," Sarra Putnam said. "I've learned that you always point a gun in a safe direction and that you never load it until you're ready to use it."
For more information visit the club's Web site at www.vb4hsharpshooters.com.
Barbara J. Woerner, Bjwz2cool@cox.net
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