The Escanaba Sports and Recreation Club is offering free youth shooting classes until August 3rd

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) – Escanaba’s Great Lakes Sports and Recreation Club is holding free firearm classes for its annual youth shooting program.

This summer kids learn gun safety and the safe operation of firearms. Former student James Blair and his family used to live in Florida and have been attending the youth program for three years.

“Down in Florida, we’ve never shot much because it was in a city environment, but up here, it’s been fun to learn it because a big part of what the U.P. is, is guns,” Blair said.

Kids aged 5-18 can learn about .22 caliber rifles, shotguns, and 3-D archery with certified instructors. They’ll also learn to hold a firearm properly and wear protective gear. It’s free, and ammo and guns are provided along with a free lunch. Club member Matt Dagenais said there’s a lot of interest in the community since Escanaba is a hunting and shooting sports town.

“In this community, the kids are going to be around firearms and archery equipment in any home they go, family or friend,” Dagenais said. “So, the sooner they’re brought into it and learn the safe operation, the safer they’re going to be for their whole life.”

Dagenais said it’s important for the club to give back to the community and ensure the future of these sports.

“We’ve got kids here that have been here since the program started that are coaching now, and they’ve come full circle through the program,” Dagenais said. “But kids are very excited and very attentive, and they pay attention to the coaches very well.”

Dagenais said Beginners and advanced shooters are welcome to join and students will start with stationary targets and work their way up to moving shotgun targets.

“It’s important also to learn so that other people don’t get injured because of your mistakes,” Blair said.

Registration is at the door from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., with a mandatory safety briefing before shooting.

Join the classes on these select Saturdays:

• June 29th
• July 13th, 20th, 27th
• August 3rd

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