Range & Target Activities
Providing safe opportunities for learning and understanding marksmanship activitiesAbout
Scouting Range & Target Activities provide Scouts with safe, supervised opportunities to develop marksmanship skills while learning responsibility and discipline. These programs emphasize safety, skill development, and fun through various shooting sports.
Key aspects of Scouting range programs include:
- Firearm & Archery Safety – Proper handling, range rules, and Scouting shooting guidelines
- Marksmanship & Technique – BB gun, rifle, shotgun, and archery instruction from certified instructors
- Merit Badge & Awards – Opportunities to earn the Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery merit badges
- Competitive & Recreational Shooting – Fun shooting events, skill challenges, and structured range time
Cascade Pacific Council camps offer top-notch range equipment and facilities to provide a complete program experience for all Scouts. Range & Target Activities are among the most popular and safest programs at camp, with investments in high-quality equipment to ensure Scout safety, advancement, and fun. Approved activities by program are listed in the Guide to Safe Scouting, and the Range Program Chart shows activity options by age level—Scouts BSA may participate in all Cub Scout activities, while Venturers may engage in all Scouts BSA activities.
Resources
Leadership and Training
When units and districts use Cascade Pacific Council properties during Off-Season Camping, those units and districts may be required supply their own properly credentialed range leadership to use the equipment and ranges.. The council reserves its right to approve all plans for leadership.
Range Activity SAFEty Training
All Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships who provide unit-level sponsored/planned range and target activities must have at least one registered unit leader 21+ years of age take the Range Activity SAFEty online training available on my.scouting.org. This individual must be present at the range during the range and target activity(s). Participating in this training will help ensure a unit understands Scouting America’s range and target activities policies.
To access the updated training, log onto my.Scouting.org and search the catalog in Scouting America’s Learn Center for “Range Activity SAFEty.” For additional information regarding Scouting’s Range and Target Activities, please refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting and the National Range and Target Activities Manual.
Upcoming Trainings
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Training Courses
BSA Rangemaster Training and Certifications
Cub Scouts – BB Gun/ Sling Shot and Archery (receive both certifications) District and Council level activity only. Required to use inflatable archery range.
Scouts BSA – Tomahawk/Knife (Scouts BSA activity only, Not approved for Cubs/Webelos) This cannot be combined with the Cub Scouts BB and Archery Certs.
NRA Range Safety Officer Course (RSO)
This is a basic level course and Basic Instructor Training is not required. This course will allow the participant an opportunity to attain the RSO certification. RSO’s are an essential element of the required supervision for a Scouts BSA range at the Unit level to the council level.
NRA Co-Op Muzzleloading Instructor Training (Percussion Rifle Only)
The Co-Op Muzzleoading Instructor course for percussion rifles only is one of the primary levels of supervision required to conduct a BSA Muzzleloading range whether it be a Unit level activity or a Council level activity. You must be 21 years of age to attain the Certified level.
NRA Pistol Instructor Course
The Pistol Instructor course is one of the primary levels of supervision required to conduct a BSA Venturing or Sea Scout Pistol range whether it be a Unit level activity or a Council level activity. You must be 21 years of age to attain the Certified level.
NRA Rifle Instructor Course
The Rifle Instructor course is one of the primary levels of supervision required to conduct a BSA Rifle range whether it be a Unit level activity or a Council level activity. You must be 21 years of age to attain the Certified level but can participate as a youth and attain the Associate or Assistant level.
NRA Shotgun Instructor Course
The Shotgun Instructor course is one of the primary levels of supervision required to conduct a BSA Shotgun range whether it be a Unit level activity or a Council level activity. You must be 21 years of age to attain the Certified level but can participate as a youth and attain the Associate or Assistant level.
USA Archery Level 1 Instructor
For Adult Leaders who want to teach Scouts BSA’s Archery Merit Badge, supervise a range at camp, or run a quality archery program for Scouts BSA Troops or Venturing Crews. Instructor candidates will learn to operate a safe yet fun archery range. The course will cover range setup and safety, proper equipment, aspects of good form, and methods of teaching. The successful completion of the prerequisite online course through USA Archery is required before registering for the practical course.
Range And Target Activities Events
Upcoming Events
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Range & Target Activities Program Chart
A list of all available ranges and marksmanship activities on council properties can be found in the chart below. Please refer to the Range Standard Operating Procedures for information on use of council properties and council equipment on ranges as well as information on use of personal property on council ranges.
| Supervision Needed* | Supervision Ratio | Baldwin | Butte Creek | Clark | Cooper | Ireland | Lewis | Meriwether | Pioneer | |
| Archery | BSA Archery Range Master or USA Archery Instructor | 1:8 |
X |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| BB Guns | BSA BB Gun Range Master or NRA Rifle Instructor | 1:8 | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Slingshots | BSA BB Gun Range Master (follows BB Gun rules) |
X |
X |
X | X | |||||
| .22LR Rifle | NRA Rifle Instructor AND NRA Range Safety Officer (two separate people) | 1:8 |
X |
X |
X | X | ||||
| Shotgun | NRA Shotgun Instructor AND NRA Range Safety Officer (two separate people) | 1:1 | X | |||||||
| Muzzleloading Rifle | NRA/NMLRA Muzzleloading Instructor AND NRA Range Safety Officer (two separate people) | 1:1 | X | |||||||
|
Tomahawks &
|
Cascade Pacific Council trained Tomahawk Range Master and one trained assistant per 4 throwers (max of 2 per Range Master) | 1:8 | X |
*Supervision requirements vary by discipline (archery, BB gun, rifle, etc.) and participants (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, etc.). Details of Supervision requirements and required credentials can be found in the SOPs above
Standard Operating Procedures
The Cascade Pacific Council has adopted Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all council ranges. The latest version of these SOPs can be found in the links below. There are SOPs for:
Archery
BB Gun
Chalk Ball
Muzzleloading Pistol
Muzzleloading Rifle
Muzzleloading Shotgun
Pellet Gun
Pistol
Rifle
Shotgun