The program requires that members of the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team, who are nationally certified, conduct classes in the various disciplines: archery, hunting skills, shotgun, muzzleloading, pistol (air, .22), rifle (BB, pellet, small bore). No person may be certified as an instructor until the following requirements are met:
- Adult Leader - individuals who are 21 years of age or older and provide direct supervision and teach youth. They also must provide direct supervision of an Apprentice Leader.
- Apprentice Leader - individuals who are ages 14 to 20, have successfully completed a state or national sponsored workshop. These individuals may assist a certified adult instructor while under their direct supervision.
- Attend and successfully complete an instructor training program administered by members of the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team and demonstrate competency to instruct as determined through a written test, trainer observation and other screening used during training.
- All volunteers must be approved through the Child Protection and Safety Policy Process before being approved as instructors. This includes completing the Youth Protection Volunteer Screening Form. Failure to cooperate in such screening will disqualify any volunteer or staff member from service. The Youth Protection Volunteer Screening Form will be updated and re-approved on a four-year basis.
- Only one certification per discipline may be achieved at a single state 4-H sponsored training workshop. A participant must attend all the training sessions at a state- sponsored workshop to become a certified instructor. The lead instructor in each discipline reserves the right not to certify a person if he/she feels the candidate will not be a competent instructor.
- All state-level certification workshops must provide a minimum of twelve (12) hours of instruction, including a minimum of eight hours of instruction in each specific discipline taken and 4 hours of instruction in teaching skills, 4-H philosophy, youth development, risk management and additional topics identified by the State 4-H SS Advisory Committee.
4-H certification, achieved only by successful participation in a 4-H leader workshop, is an absolute requirement for an instructor in the shooting sports disciplines. No other certifications or qualifications are accepted as a substitute. Just because you are an expert marksman, does not mean you know how to work with youth. And just because you are a firearm’s instructor certified by another organization, does not mean you know about 4-H philosophy and procedure. Each 4-H instructor workshop includes youth development principles and concepts, risk management practices, and program management in addition to shooting discipline training.