{"id":1754,"date":"2025-05-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/forsyth\/?p=1754"},"modified":"2025-10-15T09:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:05:12","slug":"aiming-high-forsyth-4-h-youth-shine-in-statewide-competitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/forsyth\/aiming-high-forsyth-4-h-youth-shine-in-statewide-competitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Aiming High: Forsyth 4-H Youth Shine in Statewide Competitions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Senior Recurve archers Nick Findley, Veda Govindaluri, Sri Eesha Datla, and Aarush Aritakula prepare for competition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014both 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the 2024\u20132025 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\u2019s shooting sports volunteers contributed an estimated $17,625.79 in donated time\u2014an extraordinary show of community investment in youth development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s archers performed exceptionally well by earning the following honors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n