Project Appleseed

What a Great Weekend at MVSA!  Eight students, aged from 8 to 72, came together to learn marksmanship and to hear about the events of April 19, 1775.
All brought varied skill levels from beginner to proficient, but were eager to learn and improve.  And improve they did!  The "Hits Count" targets shot at the beginning and end of Day 1 proved that attention was paid to the instruction that day.  Shot groups were good throughout the day.  The forecasted storms held off until later Saturday evening and passed through the area as quickly as Paul Revere's ride.  Sunday dawned clear and much cooler, and breezy!  Our flags never dropped during the day.  We lost 3 shooters who couldn't stay for Sunday, but put down some spare mats for instructor use.  After a quick review of Saturday's material we got down to business and after warming up on a few squares, we started shooting AQT's.  Addisyn (15) was our beginner.  She started with a 113 and ended the day with a best of 197!  Not too bad for one who had only shot a rifle a few times before!  "I'm going to tell all my friends about Appleseed!" was what she said.  Benjamin and Elizabeth were the other youngsters (8 & 12).  Both had other obligations on Sunday, but have attended previous Appleseed events, and both are quite good.  At this point I'll say that I was proud of all three of them. Good shooters and never any complaints or safety issues!  I always feel a little better about our future after seeing kids like these on the line!  Stephen was a first time attendee.  He said he had been wanting to make it to an Appleseed for some time but that something had always interfered.  I believe that this one won't be his last!  Mark was another who couldn't make it back on Sunday.  He came for the pistol clinic and stayed over for Saturday and did very well.  The way he was shooting, I believe he would have made a Rifleman's score had he stayed.  Tim - what a great guy!  Fun to be around and another good shooter.  I have a feeling he'll return for another event as well.  Maybe for the KD in October???  Drew & Tracy came up from Louisiana.  Drew attended the pistol clinic and both came to the 25m event.  Both were shooting iron sights, and shooting very well!  They had to leave mid day, and were both right there knocking on the door for a Rifleman Patch before they left.  Hopefully, I'll see them at a future event as well.  Our instructor cadre here in Arkansas is the best!  Captain was here for the pistol clinic on Friday and for Saturday's 25m event (awesome as always!) but had other obligations on Sunday.  Swiftongal was able to spend extra time with Addisyn which, no doubt, helped her on her way to that 197 AQT.  Buddy Love & Guns&Hoses kept the line moving and worked with our students for both days.  MotoMan & MinTin were able to come out on Sunday and help with the line.  The instruction was on point both days and our history was told with passion and enthusiasm!  Excellent!!!  We ended the day with the Memorial Volley and then a few more AQT's for those that wished to shoot a bit more.  No new Riflemen this weekend (3 instructor re-qualifications), but all made steady improvement during the time they were here, and all left excited about the program.  I think a lot of 7th Stepping will be done!

Had a great time, and it was awesome getting to work with the age range that we had...8yo to 73yo! Wow!! As a newer instructor, it was interesting to see people struggling with the same things that I have had problems with before, and gratifying to be able to give them the help that was given to me. I enjoyed getting to help tell the history, I'll work on my tendency to get excited and ahead of myself, lol! MVSA is a great range, and I really appreciate the support they give AS. I'll be back for KD!