Local 4-H Club searches for vacant space to meet

The Fayette County 4-H Air Rifle Club has just concluded it’s first season and in many ways has exceeded the expectations of it’s leaders and many others in the shooting sports community.

In their first year, they qualified a team for the state championship and then finished in the top fifty percent in that state championship match which consisted of 82 teams from throughout the state.

“We had an awesome first year. These kids are great; they worked hard and it paid off. They didn’t have the best equipment or the most experienced coaches which you wouldn’t expect in a first year program, but they truly endured and excelled and I couldn’t be prouder”, said club President, Todd Day. Now the club leadership has to focus immediately on next season and the fact that as of this writing, they have no place to meet and practice.

“It is a little nerve racking at this point” admitted Day. “We got the program started, which was a major ordeal in itself; we had a local business step up and donate the use of a building two nights a week last season, as well as we drove to Griffin on Sunday afternoons to practice at the Spalding County range; but we are back to square one at this point and need to put something together quickly for next season, which starts in September”.

Day also admitted that the interest was a little more than he expected. The club had hoped to sign up 15 kids for the first season, but 26 signed up and plans had to be quickly changed to accomodate them.

“We had a lot of help from our friends down in Spalding County; not many new programs can come up with 26 BB guns in a couple of weeks, but there was no way we were going to turn anyone away”, added Day. 

The club requires an open space of approximately 50 x 50 feet. They are looking for vacant warehouse space, vacant auto shops, a gym, or similar type facility. The mobile range system that the club already owns protects the facility itself from the BB’s and pellets fired by the air rifles.

“The target boxes and kevlar back stop will ensure that the facility is not damaged, which I know would be the first concern of any prospective property owner”, Day assured. “We are really looking for someone who has some vacant space that they can donate for at least four months, September through December, but something long term would certainly be welcomed as well”, continued Day.

The Fayette County 4-H Air Rifle Club is chartered and insured through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Fayette County Extension Office. The club currently consists of 26 youth members from across the county.
For more information, or to contact club leadership, visit the club’s website at www.eteamz.com/fcss.