Teaching youth that weapons such as a bow, rifle and slingshot are not toys is a top priority for the Oceola Fish and Game Club.
The organization held a youth day event today (Sept. 30), which had 18 young adults learn safety skills and how to properly handle the equipment.
For Julia Day, 11, firing arrows into the side of a deer-shaped target is 鈥渇un.鈥�
Day enjoyed learning about the bow and arrow and said her younger sister might follow in her footsteps when she鈥檚 old enough.
The youth events are held every few months and the club also hosts day camps in the summer.
Sam Badminton, co-chair of the youth programs, said it鈥檚 about teaching the kids the proper skills as they鈥檙e the future of conservation and need to learn proper techniques.
鈥淚f we don鈥檛 raise these kids with knowledge of conversation and habitats, who鈥檚 going to take care of our streams, wildlife and respect our nature? Which is why we try and get the kids outdoors as much as possible,鈥� she said.
Her two sons have been through the program and are now instructors.
鈥淚 find our youth listen better and respect our older youth, so it鈥檚 nice they come back and volunteer.鈥�
The youth, ages nine to 12, got a taste of a variety of outdoor sports, including learning how to shoot a bow, to handle a .22 rifle and slingshot.
鈥淭hen they grow up with rules and safety and the respect鈥� we use these for various reasons, for hunting purposes that they鈥檙e not toys,鈥� said Badminton.
The Fish and Game Club is a non-profit organization of hunters and anglers who aim to protect the environment.
For more information about upcoming events visit the club鈥檚 Facebook page or website www.oceola.ca.
