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Range and Target Activities

About

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 disciplines.

Key Aspects:

  • 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 events, skill challenges, and structured range time

Range & Target Activities are among the most popular and safest programs in Scouting, 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 National Range and Target Activities Manual.

View the Range Program Chart below that shows activity options by age level—Scouts BSA may participate in all Cub Scout activities, while Venture Scouts may engage in all Scouts BSA activities.

Links

Training
Resources
Marksmanship Program
Ranges Program Chart
Operating Procedures
Contact

Training Courses

Rangemaster Training

  • Cub Scouts: BB Gun, Slingshot, and Archery. (District/Council level only; requires inflatable range).

  • Scouts BSA: Tomahawk & Knife. (Not for Cubs/Webelos; cannot be combined with Cub certs).

NRA Certifications

  • Range Safety Officer (RSO): Essential supervision for Scouts BSA ranges (Unit to Council level). No BIT required.

  • Muzzleloading Instructor: Required for percussion rifle ranges. Must be 21+ for Certified level.

  • Pistol Instructor: Required for Venturing/Sea Scout ranges. Must be 21+ for Certified level.

  • Rifle Instructor: Required for BSA Rifle ranges. Age 21+ for Certified; Youth may earn Associate/Assistant level.

  • Shotgun Instructor: Required for BSA Shotgun ranges. Age 21+ for Certified; Youth may earn Associate/Assistant level.

Archery Instructor

  • USA Archery Level 1: For Leaders running Troop/Crew programs or Merit Badges. Covers safety, setup, and form.

  • Prerequisite: Must complete USA Archery online course before the practical session.

Upcoming Events

(Click the event title to learn more & register)

Leadership and Training

When units and districts use Cascade Pacific Council properties those units and districts are required to supply their own properly credentialed range leadership to use the equipment and ranges. The council reserves its right to approve all plans for leadership.

Leadership requirements for Range & Target Activities are defined in the Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), National Range and Target Activities Manual, and the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Training for Scouting Range & Target Activities Leadership roles for all disciplines is offered by Scouters serving on the council Range & Target Activities committee.

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.

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 &
Knives

 

 

 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.

Standard Operating Procedures

In Addition to the National Range and Target Activities Manual the RATA committee has developed Range Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the different Scout ranges. The latest version of these SOPs can be found using the links below.

Archery Muzzleloading Pistol Pistol
BB Gun Muzzleloading Rifle Rifle
Chalk Ball Muzzleloading Shotgun Shotgun
Pellet Gun

Contact

Steven Sullivan
Range & Target Activities Committee Chair
Email: rata.chair@cpcscouting.org 

Outdoor Programs & Properties Team
9700 SW Nimbus Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97008-7172
492.camping@scouting.org | (503) 225-5701

            

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