Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Georgia 4-H offers shooting sports education through the nationally recognized 4-H Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun, and Education) program to promote responsible firearm and archery use while reinforcing positive youth development. According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, the primary goal of S.A.F.E. is not marksmanship, but teaching life skills such as responsibility, discipline, teamwork, and decision-making in a structured environment (University of Georgia Extension, n.d.). Research from land-grant universities like the University of Florida supports this approach, finding that youth who participate in organized shooting sports programs show greater self-confidence, improved safety knowledge, and stronger relationships with mentors and peers (Rose, 2015). These programs emphasize the importance of understanding firearm safety—both for those who choose to use shooting equipment and those who may encounter it in real-world situations. By teaching safe handling, secure storage, and awareness of firearms and archery equipment, Georgia 4-H reduces the risk of unintentional injuries while fostering a culture of respect and responsibility. This educational and preventive approach reflects the broader 4-H mission to equip youth with the skills and values needed to be safe, capable, and contributing members of their communities.
For the 2024–2025 school year, Forsyth County 4-H offered both archery and BB teams as part of its Project S.A.F.E. Shooting Sports program. These programs are supported by a dedicated team of Certified Volunteers who coach youth teams weekly and accompany them to competitions. In 2024 alone, shooting sports volunteers contributed more than 526 hours of service, supporting local youth in two state events and one national competition. According to Independent Sector, in partnership with the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland, the estimated value of a volunteer hour in 2024 was $33.49. Based on this rate, Forsyth County’s shooting sports volunteers contributed an estimated $17,625.79 in donated time—an extraordinary show of community investment in youth development.
The 4-H archery program provides youth with the opportunity to develop precision, focus, and confidence through hands-on practice in both recurve and compound bow disciplines. Open to Cloverleaf, Junior, and Senior age divisions, youth build their archery skills under the guidance of Certified Volunteer Coaches. Participants practice weekly from August through May, gaining not only technical ability but also critical life skills like goal-setting and perseverance. One of the most anticipated highlights of the season is the Georgia 4-H State Outdoor Archery Match, held each spring at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Forsyth County’s archers performed exceptionally well by earning the following honors:
- Sri Eesha Datla, Senior Recurve Class, 1st place
- Aarush Aritakula, Senior Recurve Class, 2nd place
- Clark Christensen, Kamryn Peters, and Divya Patil, 2nd place Junior Recurve Team
- Clark Christensen, 4th place Junior Recurve Individual
The Forsyth County 4-H BB Team provides youth with a strong foundation in firearm safety, marksmanship, and personal discipline. In 4-H BB rifle competition, participants fire a total of 40 shots from four different positions: prone, standing, sitting, and kneeling, with a perfect score being 400 points. To qualify for the Georgia 4-H State BB Championship Match, shooters must achieve a minimum qualifying score of 310. Team members practice weekly with certified coaches, learning not only the mechanics of safe and accurate shooting but also key life skills like patience, focus, and responsibility. The BB program is often the entry point for younger 4-H’ers interested in shooting sports and serves as a strong stepping stone to future participation in advanced rifle disciplines.
The 2024–2025 school year marked a significant milestone for Forsyth County 4-H, as it was the first time the program fielded a BB team since the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that this newly re-formed team not only trained together for the first time but also qualified for the Georgia 4-H State BB Championship is a tremendous accomplishment. Rebuilding from the ground up, these young shooters demonstrated exceptional focus, determination, and a commitment to safety and excellence that speaks volumes about their character and the dedication of their coaches. Competing at the state level is no small feat, especially for a team in its first season back, and their success highlights the strength of 4-H’s positive youth development model in action. State Qualifying Team members included: Arijeet Bhosale, Henry Billington, Tristen Brobston, Niko Levantis, and Blake Turner.