Imperial, MO – The Student Air Rifle Program (SAR) is excited to expand to Kansas with a sustainable partnership.
“The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism has been actively involved with teaching Kansas Hunter Education in Kansas schools for over a decade. We are always excited to be involved in educating our youth in safe and responsible gun handling through an effective hands-on approach. The Student Air Rifle Program will provide our students with opportunities to succeed and grow in a safe environment. We are excited about this new opportunity for our students and schools”, mentioned Kent Barrett, Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks & Tourism’s (KDWPT) Hunter Education Coordinator.
“Shooting sports are one of the safest activities to become involved in. Students in SAR learn how to safely handle air rifles while learning proficiency in marksmanship in this terrific life skill. The curriculum provides an educational live fire component for schools that participate in the Hunter Education in our Schools Program”, noted Aaron Austin, KDWPT Outdoor Skills and Recruitment Coordinator.
A total of 18 individuals were certified as SAR Basic Air Riflery Instructors (BARI) during the training workshop in Pratt occurring February 11 – 13, 2020. Half of the 18 also earned credentials as Basic Air Riflery Instructor Trainers (BARIT) allowing for more teachers to be trained as BARI in the future.
“We are thrilled to bring SAR to Kansas; particularly pairing SAR with Hunter Education. For more information on KS SAR, contact Aaron Austin with KDWPT,” mentioned Jake Hindman, President and CEO of SAR.
About Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism:
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is a cabinet-level agency with a Secretary appointed by the Governor. A seven-member, bipartisan commission, also appointed by the Governor, advises the Secretary and approves regulations governing outdoor recreation and fish and wildlife resources in Kansas. The commission conducts business during regular public sessions. KDWPT employs approximately 460 full-time employees in five divisions: Executive Services, Administrative Services, Fisheries and Wildlife, Law Enforcement, Parks and Tourism.
About the Student Air Rifle Program (SAR):
SAR, developed by the Missouri Youth Sport Shooting Alliance (MYSSA™), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. SAR uses school aligned units of study, teacher training, universal whistle commands, positive language, and standardized equipment to facilitate an introduction to the lifetime sport of target shooting to school-aged youth in grades 4 through 12. Follow SAR on Facebook and Instagram by searching “Student Air Rifle Program-SAR”.
For more information about Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/About-KDWPT
For more information about the Student Air Rifle Program (SAR), visit www.studentairrifleprogram.org.
