Youth who love the Second Amendment and are passionate and interested in the shooting sports now have the opportunity to meet industry leaders, celebrities, Olympians, and other like-minded young adults as you represent your NRA.
NRA National Youth Shooting Sports has begun accepting applications for Ambassadors for the NRA to learn more about how the organization and its programs works. This year the NYSS will be accepting up to 10 Ambassadors. For consideration, applicants must be between 16 and 19 years old and high school sophomores or above. Applications are due by Nov. 21.
“We wanted it to be open to other youth, not just the four organizations we worked with, which includes the Boy Scouts, National High School Rodeo Association, USA Shooting and Rural Rangers. We wanted to expand it to some of NRA’s clubs and associations. There’s so many youth out there that could contribute to the program,” said Claudia Olsen, co-op program co-ordinator for the NRA Education and Training division.
The program, currently sponsored by Brownells, has existed since 2008. It gives students across the country the chance to see what NRA does with regards to shooting sports, as well as other programs. The program looks for bright students who are engaged in their community; who enjoy mentoring, helping and volunteering; and who overall strive to be well-rounded academic and community stewards. Students are required to write one article per quarter on a variety of shooting sports-related topics. Ambassadors have gotten the chance to go to the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to review new products, or write articles on the shooting sport programs that are part of their organization.
“It shows kids what is available and encourages others to do the same thing. It’s great for the Ambassadors and it goes into their portfolio as they move on in their career, so it shows they’re already a printed author,” said Olsen.
Ambassadors also are required to participate in monthly conference calls to discuss their program, to volunteer at Friends of NRA events, to complete at least one NRA Training Program and to organize an NRA Youth Day at a local club or state association.
Email [email protected] or call (703) 267-1597 to learn more about how to apply for the program.
