Project Appleseed

 
This is the placeholder for everyone to post to.  Bob210 & Camljr are on the road driving home.  My numbers may be fuzzy, but I believe there were 32 - 34 shooters on Saturday and 22-24 on Sunday (today).  The weather was great, mid eightys and sunny skies, a slight breeze most of the day kept us cooler,and, there were MANY shade
covers on the line.
Two riflemen emerged Saturday (dangerous old men?)
Five riflemen came forward today (Sunday), all younger models.  
One of the 2 on Sat. shot rifleman score on his first AQT, with a BOLT-ACTION.
His 2 sons made rifleman on Sunday shooting what?, that's right,,,,, BOLT-ACTIONS.
Three "ORANGE" HATS were taken, one Sat. & two Sun.,
corrected Mon. a.m., ORANGE HATS,  not red as I had it,,,,   old & too much sun for sure.
.......................steve

This weekend my family had the great fortune to attend the Appleseed Event in Escondido.  Special thanks to "Passinthru" for making sure we knew when the event was scheduled and posted on-line as there were many others who were turned away from this sold-out event!

And a very, very special thanks to Bob, Cam, Jamie, Freeman, Mike and the other instructors whose names are escaping me right now for making this weekend such a special event.  If you have not attended an Appleseed event you cannot imaging the patience these guys display, nor their dogged determination to ensure that every attendee has a meaningful experience.  At first consideration it seems hard to believe that these guys are all volunteers, but then it hits you that only someone with the passion of a committed volunteer and true believer could invest so much of themselves in such a selfless way.

Yes, I was the other "old guy" who qualified as a rifleman on Saturday along with Passinthru, and both my sons followed suit Sunday morning.  My wife learned and improved tremendously with everything starting to come together Sunday afternoon, but she just ran out of time, shooting a 200 on the final round.  We were all shooting bolt-action guns and didn't realize that we were supposed to be at some sort of disadvantage because of it.  We came to listen, we came to learn, both history and marksmanship, and were not disappointed in any way.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to join the RWVA IIT program and to be given the symbolic "Orange-Hat", and just hope that I can someday contribute to providing the same kind of experience to others that Bob and company provided to us on this fine weekend.

Mark

 This weekend was fantastic indeed. Thank you everyone, particularly the instructors and the people that made this event happen. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. It was a privilege and an honor to be among such inspiring, enthusiastic, and patriotic people.

Our history that you shared was a breath of fresh air in these dark days of our nation. It was presented so well and with such enthusiasm, it left me with a hunger for so much more. I can't thank everyone enough or describe what an impact was made. See you soon!

Thanks again to all the instructors, you're all great people!  This was my third Appleseed, the second time I've shot Rifleman, and the first time I felt like it wasn't a total fluke.   Never would have made it without you guys.

-m@

Good job guy's  Sounds like a fantastic event
JA

Some pictures, I hope,,,,,,,,steve

A few photos...  Everything I took in the shade was too dark. 

Thanks everyone for another fun filled Appleseed weekend!  I had a great time meeting so many wonderful people.  Thank you for the opportunity to help spread the knowledge of marksmanship and the events of April 19th.   Hope to see you around!   

I too want to thank all instructors, you guys were absolutely great.

I just want to say thanks to all the instructors who gave up their weekends plus travel time, to get beat up in the Southern California sun, teaching us shooters what's important as Americans. Even though this was not my first appleseed, I learned a few new things to apply to my shooting. I think most of all, I learned (it finally hit me) you really really really have to get NPOA and learn it, and trust it. When I had it, the target showed, when I muscled it... well targets don't lie. Thanks to those who brought shade, thanks to the range for allowing us to be there and CONGRATULATIONS to the new rifleman and ORANGE HATS!!!!!

-Jessica

Another amazing experience for me...  meeting excellent folks that have the true spirit of our founding fathers within them.
I am inspired again by the folks that attend Appleseeds. They just seem draw the best people America has to offer.


New riflemen:

Mike (232) Bolt Action
Sean (225) Bolt Action
Mark (221) 4Posterity (new IIT) Bolt Action
Roger (215)
Justin (215)
John (211) (new IIT)

And Passinthru (steve) shot it again!  AND  brought the top 3 new riflemen to this shoot.
AND took the orange hat!!!

Others that were knocking on the door:

Adam (205)
Jessica (201)
Suzie (200) Bolt Action
Conner (199)
Ken (189)
Frank (183)
Norm (175)
Zoli (174)
Vince (164)

You all made great improvement throughout the day, and will get there next Appleseed... Good Job, all of you!


I will post some pictures, then I gotta get out the ben gay and Aloe Vera....  AND get some sleep!

This was my first Appleseed and it exceeded all my expectations.  Not only did I get the instruction I was hoping for and meet the kind of people I wanted to meet, but I took away something that was just as, or maybe even more important; the realization of just how important the Appleseed Project is to the future of this great Country.  So to Bob 210 and the rest of the instructors , thank you.

As to the instruction, it was fantastic.  When I saw that first Redcoat with my LTR (10/22 with tech sights) I thought there was no way I was ever going to hit those targets that were completely hidden by my front sight.  But as the weekend rolled on, all of the sudden the NPOA became easy and natural and my AQT scores jumped dramatically.  Bob 210 called this the Rifleman's Bubble and I can attest that it its real, and very cool.  From that point on the rest of my AQT's were either in, ore close to Rifleman territory.

Overall it was a great weekend, and just the first of many.

John

What a great weekend. I have a special place in my heart for the Escondido Fish & Game Association shooting range. It is very nicely set up with a great camping area and I love those new bathrooms! I really want to thank the club for hosting Project Appleseed and look forward to future events.
Thanks goes out to all the instructors, agenttokyo, SAR_Squid79, Freeman, Camljr, demnogis, for doing an excellent job. Keep up the good work.

This event was sold out, but due to several no-shows, we had 25 folks on Saturday morning. After safety and a little history intro, we went on to the first RedCoat target. By the initial groups I saw, I know this was a talented bunch. I was especially drawn to a family of four that showed up with CZ bolt action target rifles. Mark and his family proved to be very proficient with those CZ's! We were also joined by several familiar faces and I especially want to thank Norm for helping out with the shade canopies and that wonderful sound system. Thanks Norm! We continued teaching Appleseed marksmanship and by the end of the day Mark had his Rifleman's score. We presented passinthru with his Orange Hat, gave out Luther Blanchard patches to 3 fine young men and wrapped up the day with a benediction.

Sunday saw us back on the line with 24 folks. mdimeo joined us on Sunday and worked out another couple of Rifleman's scores. Good seeing you Matt! After the AQT grind, broken up by a team shoot on Star targets, we had forged 5 more Riflemen on the anvil of the AQT, two of which asked for Orange Hats. Congratulations to 4posterity and JohnM! As we packed up our camping gear and headed for home I thought about the beginnings of the team I saw building at this range and I realized that the Appleseed program will be in good hands in Escondido! See all you folks at the next Escondido event on March 26-27, 2011! Do the 7th step nd get the word out! 

1st rate instruction ,great history , Anericans enjoying the only sport endorsed by the founders . The ship tilts a little less for the efforts of every instuctor and every attendee (future Rifleman) . Way to GO ^5 ^5 ^5 
Wish I had been there
JA

My first time seeing how you Sandy Eggo folks swing an AS. Definitely impressed every time I see a great turnout of shooters and our instructors at the helm! I was just a bit saddened I could only do Saturday. Grats to our new riflemen! Grats to our new IITs!

Hi all!

Many thanks to Bob 210 and all the fine instructors at my first Appleseed.  Had an interesting start; I left my gunlock key on my OTHER keychain  - one of the guys helped me cut the lock off my Ruger 10/22, and that was not easy!

Things went well until I had to start 'unlearning' some bad shooting habits.  After missing the target PAPER altogether on Saturday afternoon (the sun was in my eye, there was a hole in my hat, the dog ate my target, my barrel was warped, OK - I was a lousy shooter , I started doubting myself, my rifle, even the course of instruction.  Cam was very helpful in loaning me his 10/22 (that's almost sacred!) and helping me regain my focus and start using NPOA to get back on target   .  I went home that night and vowed to correct my problems, headed to the range for a few hours of 'correctional' shooting (and thanks to Justin, a new Rifleman, for going with me to help  ).

After switching to right handed shooting (been a lefty all my life) and incorporating the 6 steps and NPOA, I was punching quarter size groups in the bullseye at 25 yards - standing!

Back to Appleseed on Sunday, and I finished with a 174 high score.  I could NOT have gotten past my problems without such a dedicated team and I am extremely grateful to everyone!

On a personal note. The history presented was very eye opening and caused me to reflect deeply on the freedom I have due to the sacrifices of so many of our founding fathers.  It occurred to me that I am also here because my parents left tyranny and oppression in another country at great cost and risk of death to get to America, whose shining beacon of freedom was enough for them to give up EVERYTHING to start over in a country that gives me freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness. 

I look forward to my next Appleseed (and maybe even boot camp!)
Zot

Well said Zot 
JA

I had a great time.

I want to especially thank Cam (even though you spelled my name wrong) for putting up with me. I always come off a bit more gruff and abrasive than I mean to. I really was having a wonderful time. I was a little hesitant to volunteer my time for future Apple Seeds and boot camps or possibly even being an instructor? before I discussed it with my family. It turns out I received way more support than expected and I will be attending a lot of events. So again, thanks Zol for bringing me along, and thanks everyone for making it a great time, teaching me everything. and inspiring me to get involved. Can't wait to see everyone next time!

Justin,

It was my pleasure to work with you and Zoli, as a matter of fact, Bob 210 and I were commenting on the ride home that you reminded him of Me at my first Appleseed 2 years ago. People that are passionate about things make great leaders....

Well, look at me now... You will make a great instructor and we will be glad to have you join us.

See you soon, on the Appleseed trail....

Well,

To my utmost excitement, there are 3 Apple Seed events in Southern California this weekend! Is there a way to see who is signed up for these events? Is anyone from the Escondido A.S. going to be attending any 3 of these?

I wanna know who's going to boot camp in Piru in October?  Any familiar faces? Met Dano at NRA instructor training this weekend; he's going to be there.  If you don't know him, you should!  Great guy and exemplary of the spirit of Appleseed!

I"m about 90% sure I am going - just need to check a few logistics later this week......

210 AQT - I WILL find you!

Zot