Becoming an Instructor
Instructor Leadership Levels
Instructor
- Be at least 21 years of age, as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year.
- Successfully complete all steps of the Idaho 4-H volunteer certification process (including application, background check, protecting minors training, etc.) and be appointed as a current 4-H volunteer through their UI Extension county office.
- Successfully complete state-sanctioned (Level 1) training and certification for each discipline in which they will be providing instruction. Reciprocal 4-H Shooting Sports trainings are available with Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington; however, participants are responsible for insuring that written documentation for said training is submitted to the Idaho 4-H shooting sports coordinator when attending training in another state.
Assistant Instructor
- Must be at least 18 years of age, as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year.
- Must have at least one year of 4-H member experience in that shooting sports discipline, or have sufficient equivalent experience with the instructor’s approval.
- Can only provide youth instruction under the direct supervision of the instructor and only when the certified instructor is physically present during the instruction.
Teen Volunteer
- Must be at least 14 years of age, as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year.
- Must have the approval of the certified instructor.
- Can only assist under the direct supervision of the instructor and when that the certified instructor is physically present.
- Cannot be placed in charge of a live-fire range.
The University of Idaho 4-H Shooting Sports program has specific training requirements for certification. Potential archery, handgun/pistol, hunting, muzzleloader, rifle and/or shotgun instructors must be certified for each discipline they wish to teach. Certified instructors must oversee any live-fire ranges and classes in which firearms/archery equipment are handled.