Student Air Rifle program expands to Pennsylvania (VIDEO)

The SAR program, now in three states, uses school-aligned units with standardized equipment and training to introduce youth to target shooting (Photos: SAR)

The SAR program, now in three states, uses school-aligned units with standardized equipment and training to introduce youth to target shooting (Photos: SAR)

A program to promote the shooting sports to school-aged youth in grades 4 through 12 is coming to the Keystone State.

The non-profit Student Air Rifle program has joined with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to establish a branch of the initiative in the Commonwealth. With the help of an $8,000 donation from the PA Friends of NRA, the new SAR program is being offered statewide to any school district interested.

Todd Holmes, the Commission’s Shooting Sports Outreach Coordinator, said the SAR program is an easy fit to complement the popular National Archery in the Schools Program in the state.

“Schools currently participating in NASP will find an easy transition to SAR,” said Todd in a statement. “Teachers are provided with instructor training at no cost which covers all information needed for a teacher to offer SAR in their school. The equipment is solid, yet easy to use providing a safe and fun introduction to target shooting. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with SAR.”

Over the past several weeks, 16 teachers were certified as SAR Basic Air Riflery Instructors through the course of a training workshop with six of that group receiving addition train-the-trainer certification to be able to quickly grow the pool of riflery instructors in the state.

Sixteen individuals were certified as Basic Air Riflery Instructors, with six of those given further training to instruct and counsel other new trainers.

The instructors in the program are using Umarex USA Embark series air rifles, standardized across SAR

For more information on Pennsylvania’s SAR program, contact Holmes by phone at 717-787-4250 Ext 3330 or by email at toholmes@pa.gov.

Originally developed in 2013 by the Missouri Youth Sport Shooting Alliance, SAR uses school-aligned units with standardized equipment and training to introduce youth to target shooting. It expanded to Iowa earlier this year.

Latest Reviews

revolver barrel loading graphic

Loading