Riflery is a sport that uses a long barrel, a “rifle,” to shoot carefully aimed at a target. With the invention of gunpowder, rifle shooting has been used throughout history by hunters, by soldiers, by Olympic athletes… and by overnight campers at Camp W! Since its founding in 1924, Camp has taught youth the fundamentals of riflery, the important safety procedures, the use and care of the equipment, and the various shooting techniques at our rifle range.

Riflery for Youth

Riflery is one of the most popular sports at Camp W, as it has been since the camp’s earliest days.

The Camp W riflery range is a 50 foot youth range located on the edge of the camp property. Its elevated platform accommodates multiple shooters and allows various rifle shooting postions. At camp, we shoot official NRA paper targets suspended on fixed frames.

Our rifles vary between .177/.22 caliber pellet air rifles or .22 caliber, smallbore, rimfire guns. These rifles are all single shot, bolt action, rifles using traditional iron sights. Campers shoot .177/.22 pellets or .22 short ammunition depending on their level. Rifles and ammunition are always stored separately and double locked away from camper areas.

Learning Riflery at Camp

Never shot a rifles before? Don’t worry! Even the youngest overnight campers can learn to shoot safely at Camp W. We have the right sized equipment for every sized camper, from smaller and lighter rifles to heavier, competition rifles.

After learning important safety rules and range commands, as every camper is responsible for safety, campers also learn how to load, aim, and fire their rifles at their targets. Campers progress through different shooting positions as their skills develop within in their buddy teams. Teams work in pairs to ensure safety and accuracy Earning achievements along the way as well as a completion certificate if they progress through our entire program.

The Camp W riflery instructors are NRA or CMP certified and eager to help.

Shoot a Bullseye!

Wearing ear and eye protection, you’ll become familiar with the fundamental skills of shooting: aiming with your dominant eye, gripping the rifle, body position, proper breathing and trigger control. Like so many other activities here mindfulness is embodied.

You have five bullets to shoot per round, and if any one hits the innermost circle of the target, that’s a bullseye! You have now joined the well-known Camp W “Bullseye Club.”

The challenge and reward of rifle target shooting add up to a lot of fun and excitement at riflery.

Summer Camp Riflery

Certified instructors teach overnight campers about protective gear and the all-important rifle range commands. Campers also spend time learning about how to operate the bolt action, safety, and tigger of the rifles. Next, they spend time focusing on how to aim using the stationary rifle sights, and standard marksmanship techniques.

How old do you have to be to try riflery? Target rifle shooting is a sports activity open to campers of all ages, but we typically start at 8 years old. We have beginner rifles sized for younger kids, and our staff are always there managing the range and coaching as needed. For a beginner marksman, getting your first shot “in the black” is always a great thrill!

What if you don’t want to take riflery? That’s fine too! Nobody is forced to take an activity at Camp W if they do not want to.

Are there different shooting positions? Yes! Most of the kids shoot lying down on a thin mat (prone position), but more advanced campers can try sitting, kneeling, and even a standing position.

Riflery target shooting is scored by adding up the points each bullet earns when it hits the target. A shot into the perfect center of the target is worth 10 points, with each progressive ring outwards being worth one point less. When shooting a round of 5 shots, a score of 25 or higher is really good! And of course, it’s always exciting to hit a bullseye.

When campers begin to shoot more consistently and hit higher scores, they can pass through a series of NRA ratings and earn special “Light Rifle Qualification” awards, like the “Pro-Marksman,” “Marksman,” “Marksman First Class,” “Sharpshooter,” and “Expert” ratings.

Campers learn that using a firearm is a serious responsibility, that safety is always paramount. They gain concentration skills and understand the value of calm, self control. In riflery, they experience first-hand how practice and focused attention to improving yields real results. For some target rifle marksmanship can become a lifetime sport.