DANFORTH, Maine — A good fit for rural Maine, recently the East Grand School Outdoor Education class has been taking part in riflery as part of the outdoor education class.
With the help of instructors Ginny and Jerry Joles and Leslie Gardiner of the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club, students have made two trips to the club where they learned proper gun safety, handling, and enjoyed some friendly competition.
Students have also taken part in hunter safety this fall.
“Over the past decade or so, we have seen a drop in youth participating in shooting sports and hunting for various reasons including cost and regulations, lack of a parent to teach and take them, media giving guns and hunting a bad rap, and a preoccupation with the electronic world leading to a sedentary lifestyle,” said Dave Conley, one of the outdoor education instructors. “When the East Grand school board was approached about offering proper gun training, safety and shooting, they embraced it wholeheartedly.”
Conley added it is hoped that other schools will embrace the opportunities to teach gun safety, instruction and shooting and perhaps some friendly competition can take place between schools.
Looking ahead, East Grand students will take part in shotgun instruction and shooting.
