Joe Kreider<kreider4@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension – December 03, 2025
Learn about the teen leader program in 4-H shooting sports and how youth can become involved, have an impact on the program and develop leadership and life skills.
The Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports Program provides opportunities for 4-H members of all ages across six disciplines (archery, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, pistol and hunting and wildlife). For youth ages 5-7 years (called Cloverbuds), the hunting and wildlife program can be offered without any live fire activities. Once youth reach eight years-old, they can participate in archery and BB gun with one-on-one help. As youth grow older, more shooting sports disciplines are available to them, and when they reach 14 years-old, they are eligible for leadership opportunities that allow them to become more involved at the local and state levels, having an impact on the program and building leadership skills.
Through the 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leader program, 4-H youth ages 14 and up, according to the 4-H age policy, can attend an instructor workshop to become certified as a teen instructor in a shooting sports discipline. Teen leaders attend the same workshops that adult 4-H volunteers do to become a certified 4-H shooting sports instructor. These workshops are typically held twice per year, in the fall and spring. They occur over the course of two days, and attendees can seek certification in one discipline per workshop. Once certified, teen leaders can assist with shooting sports clubs in their county and can transition to adult 4-H volunteer shooting sports instructors when they age out of 4-H.
There are many ways that teen leaders can assist with a 4-H shooting sports club. However, there are also some limitations. Like all 4-H shooting sports instructors, teen leaders can only teach youth in the discipline(s) in which they are certified. Teen leaders are also required to work under the supervision of an adult 4-H shooting sports instructor and do not count towards the ratio of instructors to youth on the line (which is 1:5). However, teen leaders are still an invaluable asset to shooting sports clubs and can help with tasks such as:
Teen leaders are important to the success of the Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports program for many reasons. First and foremost, they can serve as role models for younger youth who are just getting started. Many young people may respond better to a peer rather than an adult, especially if the activity or environment is new to them. Seeing teen leaders thrive in the program is reassuring to youth who may be just beginning in shooting sports.  
Teen leaders are also essential to the longevity of the Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports program. If teen leaders maintain their certification until they age out of 4-H, they can complete the Michigan State University Extension Volunteer Screening Process to become an adult 4-H volunteer. Their certification is automatically changed to an adult certification when they turn 21 years-old and they can serve as the primary shooting sports instructor for a 4-H club. The Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports program views encouraging and investing in teen leaders as a way of ensuring there are qualified and experienced instructors in the future.
Getting certified as a teen leader also provides benefits to the youth themselves. Teen leader certification is an excellent addition to resumes, college applications and scholarship applications. It shows a commitment to community service and the development of leadership skills. Consider what current teen leaders in Michigan have to say about the experience:
As these quotes demonstrate, becoming a shooting sports teen leader can be a rewarding experience for youth! For more information on the Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports program, including upcoming workshops and other events, visit the 4-H Shooting Sports website.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).
Published on November 4, 2020
Published on November 8, 2022
Published on February 25, 2025
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.
We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

source