BSA Range Instructor Certification

[deweylure]

Does an NRA Instructors class count for BSA range instructor training ?

Dewey

[pipestone1991]

I think my SM has both and that you need both depending on the council.

[FieldSports]

The NRA instructor courses are required for the merit badge rifle, black powder, and shotgun counselor positions. The NRA pistol instructor is required for the Venturing program. The NAA instructor is required for the archery merit badge counselor.

The Field Sports Director is the Boy Scout designation for an individual who has completed the week long National Camp School training. The courses taught in this class will certify you as for the NRA rifle, black powder, and shotgun instrutor and NAA archery instructor. This class then also qualifes you to run council shooting sports activities (designation required by National).

However, having the NRA certifications does not qualify you as a Field Sports Director. You have to take the NCS course. The certifications of FSD also is only good for 4 (maybe 5) years. You then have to retake the course. NRA certifications are for life (as long as you keep paying the $$)

The Field Sports Director can then also run and/or train individuals for Cub Scout Day Camp shooting programs (Archery and BB gun generally), but also includes slingshots.

[wagionvigil]

Yes, the NRA Range
Safety Officer (RSO) Program is the program the BSA prescribes to in its
training.

Thius is the answer I got from the Head of Shooting sports for the NER. Actually your council can schedule this and offer iot to other councls in your area. .

[FieldSports]

Just to clarify.

The Range Safety Officer (RSO) is an additional designation offered by the NRA. This is the individual that runs and oversees the range operations while there is live fire. The range is to have an RSO when you are there.

The NRA instructor is still required for the merit badges, etc. These are separate designations and different training.

What is interesting is that the RSO is not covered by National Camp School (NCS). You are told to do the RSO certification by home study and mail.

[mhjacobson]

There is a BSA Range Instructor training program that can be taught in your council by a person who has been certified as a Field Sports Instructor via National Camping School.

The course certifies the person who has completed the training to ONLY run a shooting sports range.

[bluenote]

What is interesting is that the RSO is not covered by National Camp School (NCS). You are told to do the RSO certification by home study and mail.

This is not true in all cases. I attended National Camp School last year and received certs for Rifle, Muzzle Loading Rifle, Shotgun, Archery - Level 1, BSA Shooting Sports Director and Range Safety Officer (RSO).

[FieldSports]

Bluenote - I am going to your NCS next time Thought it was odd that RSO is needed, but was given to us as a take home.

Mhjacobson - The certificate to run a range is only for BB and Archery ranges for Cub Camps. Not for Boy Scouts or Venturing.

[mhjacobson]

The certificate to run a range is only for BB and Archery ranges for Cub Camps. Not for Boy Scouts or Venturing."

Not true -- my RSO was also for .22 Scout ranges.

[ThunderingWind]

What is interesting is that the RSO is not covered by National Camp School (NCS). You are told to do the RSO certification by home study and mail.

FWIW....Per the NRA Training department....one can only take the RSO course via Home Study If and ONLY IF you are already a certified and registered NRA Instructor (not matter what discipline).

I found this trying to get the RSO certification so our Venture Crew could go to my local club and shoot. We have RSOs at the club but they are not NRA RSOs.

I will complete my IT course in two weeks with the Pistol and then in November complete the Rifle segement and move on to the Shotgun.
The RSO course will be ompleted in between these via home study.