“A Call To Arms”- Shooters’ Weekend 2011

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator

July 15-17 marked the 2011 NNED Shooting Sports and Camping Weekend, held at the Pemi Valley Fish and Game Club in Holderness, New Hampshire.  This year’s event saw 19 boys and several of their leaders come out for a fun weekend of shooting various types of guns, camping, fellowship, and time to draw closer to Christ.  It is also a time for real mentoring, as men get to spend quality time with boys by giving them hands-on instruction on how to safely use guns, and have fun in the process!  Moreover, the smell of gunpowder has been proven to attract boys, especially the older ones in Adventure and Expedition Rangers who were old enough and met the requirements to attend.    The event was coordinated by FCF, who made all the necessary arrangements to ensure a fun and safe weekend.    Also, the Pemi Fish and Game Club graciously allowed Rangers the use of their grounds!

Friday evening saw boys and leaders put up their tents and campsites and getting ready for the day that was to come on Saturday, which was up and at ‘em first thing in the morning!  Boys were divided into groups in order to make the activities more orderly.   There were several different shooting activities involving different types of guns, including Black Powder, .22 rifles, shotguns, and other high-powered rifles, and the opportunity to shoot clay pigeons.    Also, Ken Allen from Sig Sauer Arms in Epping, NH, who is also a Conservation Officer for the U.S. Forest Service, returned this year and gave instruction and hands-on training with handguns.  Ken has enjoyed working with Rangers, and his presence was greatly appreciated!

Following an exciting day of shooting, it was time for dinner.  FCF prepared a full-course meal for the hungry boys and men, including the classic turkey-in-a-trash-can prepared by FCF President Bruce “Moose Call” Paquette.   Chicken, stuffing, potatoes, corn and were also on the menu, and nobody went hungry!   Boys also got the chance to practice their knife and hawk throwing skills during the down time.   The most important part of the weekend, however, came at the evening Council Fire, where Jim “Firebird” Archmoody led the group in praise songs around the campfire, and District Director Kendall Sperrey led a discussion about faith and listening to and obeying the truth of God’s Word.  It was an opportunity for the boys to really open up about serious subjects affecting their lives.
The next morning, it was time to eat breakfast, break camp, and head back home from a great weekend  in which men and boys were blessed with great weather, safe shooting, and great fellowship.    The support of FCF, Sig Arms, and the Pemi Gun Club has helped make Shooter’s Weekend one of the premier events of NNED Royal Rangers, and will keep boys coming back for that gunpowder smell again!