Project Appleseed

It was a cool and misty Saturday morning at the RWVA Home Range at Ramseur, NC.  I've been there several times, but there's always something special about rolling through that gate.  The shiny new Project Appleseed sign nestled under the tall trees greeted me.  The gravel crunched under my tires as I drove slowly to the clubhouse - memories of my previous Rameur events flooding back.

I stepped out of the car and noted a flash of red off to my left.  It was VaporTrace, the North Carolina state coordinator!  He waved and came up to introduce himself.  Just like that, that feeling of being among Appleseeders - among family - washed over me and I knew it was going to be a good weekend.

It's one thing to run an event at the Home Range.  To run an Instructor Boot Camp anywhere is a handful.  But to lead an IBC AT Ramseur?  That's enough to give you a slight pause. Of course, there's no additional pressure when the Founder of the program shows up and takes a seat as a student!   

All joking aside, the students and group leaders really made this an excellent weekend.  15 Patriots gathered together, including JohnnyAppleseed from California and Yates from Pittsburg, PA to learn how to polish our craft.  After some introductions, we dove into instruction.  We learned about the Mission of Appleseed, how to be most effective, and our part in it.  Lunch came quicker than we expected and we talked about effectively and passionately sharing our heritage.  There was lots of excellent cross-talk and much learning in the small groups.  Everyone was dedicated to getting better at teaching with simplicity and precision.

On Sunday morning, we kicked off with Inches-Minutes-Clicks and then reviewed Inches-Milliradians-Clicks by request.  Our History Drill at lunch went very well.  Each of the presenters made special efforts to be prepared and it showed in some very stirring history vignettes.  We also covered equipment issues, administration, coaching, and drills.  We wrapped up our weekend with a long open discussion about all things Appleseed - including the state of the program, effective 7th Stepping, Appleseed Academy, and the Pistol Program.

We wrapped up our weekend with a final exam, a benediction, and a graduation ceremony!

I'd like to offer some special thanks:  VaporTrace, thank you for being an awesome host.  Thaddeus, Cousin Hart, and Rimbo - thank you for leading the small groups.  It can be a tough job, I know!  And of course, Fred... thank you for sharing your time and wisdom with us.

I encourage everyone to keep dry firing at home.  Not just your rifle, but your instruction and history, too.  Keep those skills sharp to grow the program and light brush fires in the hearts and minds of fellow Americans.

It was my privlege to serve you at RAMSEUR 9-22!!!

May Liberty Increase!
MO

P.S.  I only captured a few pics of folks working in small groups... please jump in with some of your own!

MO's description of the home range makes me realize how easy it could be to take it for granted.

This event was a pleasure, a lot of prep and hard work, not the least of which of was on the part of the IBC instructors - thank you all.

For any that haven't been to an IBC, it's much more than instruction, it's a refreshing dose of Liberty!  I look forward to the next one.

V/R
Torin

JohnnyAppleseed! There's a blast from the past. He was the SB at my first Appleseed way back in 2009. He's the one who got me hooked.