Families - Education • Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Volunteer

Rhen Wilson — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:46:19 +0000

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Volunteer

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AGFC Volunteer

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Families

Programs

Youth

Like Arkansas’s natural resources, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s educational programs depend on the support of people with a passion for the natural world.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of regional conservation education efforts. They work with everything from computers and photography to trail building and canoe instruction. Everyone has something to contribute to the outdoors, and we encourage people from all walks of life to participate.

Volunteerism benefits our facilities and our visitors, but there’s no feeling quite like sharing your passion for the outdoor world with a newcomer. Your time and enthusiasm are not only among the least-expensive ways to help, they’re the greatest and most appreciated donations you can give.

Become an AGFC Volunteer

Click here to apply

Students in the class of 2027 and beyond are now required to complete community service to earn a high school diploma in Arkansas. (ACT 237 of 2023, pages 38-39).

This law includes that students earn 15 hours of community service in 9th grade, and 20 hours each year for grades 10, 11, and 12 equal to 75 hours of service required for graduation.

School administrators are invited to complete the form below to become endorsed with AGFC for youth volunteer opportunities to fulfill the required hours.

AGFC will provide multiple organized youth volunteer opportunities for students and schools in all regions around the state. These will be updated here: https://ar1.galaxydigital.com/user/login/

Register your School District to be an Endorsement for Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Click here to fill out the form

Leah Hughes

Volunteer Program Coordinator

Phone 501-297-9519

Email leah.hughes@agfc.ar.gov

Contacts

Trenton Powell
trenton.powell@agfc.ar.gov
501-712-2947

Terry Jones
terry.jones@agfc.ar.gov
501-551-9687

Danielle Simmons
danielle.simmons@agfc.ar.gov
501-710-6285

Skeet Lewis
skeet.lewis@agfc.ar.gov
479-721-2256

Elizabeth Kimble
elizabeth.kimble@agfc.ar.gov
870-933-6787

Nick Adams
nicholas.adams@agfc.ar.gov
501-541-9722

Lauren Cannon
lauren.cannon@agfc.ar.gov
870-414-1720

Heather Pitman
heather.pitman@agfc.ar.gov
501-607-9857

Lori Bailey
lori.bailey@agfc.ar.gov
870-830-7598

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Youth Shooting Sports (YSS)

Rhen Wilson — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 21:45:37 +0000

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Youth Shooting Sports (YSS)

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In the Classroom

CATEGORY

Families

Hunters

Youth

Click Here to View State Tournament Scores

About

Youth Shooting Sports aims to bring the joy of the outdoors and the rewards of safely learning to shoot to young Arkansans. Have you ever considered competing in the Olympics or a national shooting championship? This program from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission could be a start.

Youth Shooting Sports has two divisions: junior and senior. The junior division is for grades 5-8 and the senior division is for grades 9-12. Home-schooled students compete in the division they would be in if they were in public school. Home-schooled students 15 or older must compete in the senior division. Trap shooting is the sanctioned sport of Youth Shooting Sports. The season begins February 1.

Any type of shotgun action is allowed, as long as the bore is 12 or 20 gauge. Release triggers and exposed hammers are not allowed. Trap machines that throw targets at unknown angles are used. The state coordinator may specify models of trap machines for Youth Shooting Sports events. All shooters and coaches must wear appropriate eye and ear protection.

Tournament Info

All teams must be on the field and ready to compete 45 minutes prior to their scheduled time to compete. No ammunition is allowed on the AGFF shooting sports complex range grounds during YSS tournaments. Anyone caught having any ammunition on their person or vehicle will be grounds for disqualification of the team. Youth Shooting Sports will provide all competitors their needed ammunition once they take the competition line.

2024 Youth Shooting Sports Regional Tournament Map

Tournament Dates:

May 17, 2024 for Juniors
May 18, 2024 for Seniors

Tournament Dates:

May 10, 2024 for Juniors
May 11, 2024 for Seniors

Tournament Dates:

May 3, 2024 for Juniors
May 4, 2024 for Seniors

Tournament Dates:

April 26, 2024 for Juniors
April 27, 2024 for Seniors

Team Terms

Each participant must be on a team. Teams commonly represent schools, 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups and other organizations, although anyone may form a group. Each team must have a coach and must meet these requirements:

A team must have at least five members.
Teams shoot in squads of five members.
A team may field as many squads as it can fill.
Participants must take part in at least five team practices.
Practices must be held on different days.
Regional and state competitions do not count as practice.
Each participant must shoot at least 25 targets at each practice.
Each team must register with the Youth Shooting Sports state coordinator.

A shoot is a competition between at least two teams. A regional meet is a competition among shooting squads from a geographic area that are trying to qualify for the state championship.

Only registered Youth Shooting Sports participants are allowed to compete and practice. All teams must be registered by March 1. Only coaches may register teams. Click on the link below to register.

Click here to register online. First time users will enter their AGFC Coach ID Number and Last Name. Returning users will enter their Username and Password.

Team Support Packages

A shooting team may apply for an Youth Shooting Sports grant. A team must have at least five members and must practice at least five times. A grant will provide a basic team support package which includes:

Targets
Ammunition
Protective glasses
Ear protection

Coach Info and Team Registration

Coaches must be 21 to apply and must be certified by AGFC to participate in the program. Contact the YSS program coordinator to learn more. Program forms including Practice Log, Shotgun Checkout, Tournament Score Sheet, Trap Machine Checkout and Trap Machine Grant Application can be found under the Documents tab.

The Coach Application, Background Check and Volunteer Background Check Forms must be completed and mailed to the YSS Coordinator when applying for an YSS coach position. Be sure to have both background check forms notarized before their return. An Arkansas State Police background check will be run on every applicant who is not an active Hunter Education Instructor on file with the AGFC.

New Coach Training

Youth Shooting Sports Training Manual for Coaches

Active Coaches

Online Registration (certified coaches only)

Documents

Please fill out the AGFC Volunteer Application and attach all four forms below to your application.

* Background Check forms must be notarized before return.

Contact

Jimmy Self

Youth Shooting Sports Coordinator

Phone 501-604-0460

Email James.Self@agfc.ar.gov

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Learn to Fish

Rhen Wilson — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 20:15:07 +0000

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Learn to Fish

TOPIC

Fishing Education

CATEGORY

Anglers

Classes

Families

Fishing is a fantastic outdoor activity with a universal appeal, capturing the hearts of people from all walks of life and spanning generations. Fishing is not only a wholesome and enjoyable family activity but also promotes physical and mental well-being through outdoor engagement and relaxation. These are the founding principles on which the Fishing Education Program was founded in 1987. Expanding on the Fishing Derby program and adding Mobile Aquariums, Fishing Skills Classes, and Tackle Loaner locations in the following years, this program has impacted thousands of Arkansans on their path to love and respect for our waters.

Later additions like the Family and Community Fishing Program, which provides quality fishing locations in cities around the state, and Fishing in the Natural State, which focuses on providing educators with curriculum and equipment, have added new and exciting opportunities to expand fishing into new audiences. Programs like Master Angler and the Arkansas Grand Slam bring in the challenging or sometimes competitive aspect that drives anglers to deepen and grow their fish skills.

The Fishing Education team extends its services to even the most seasoned anglers who may be looking to venture into new fishing territories. The Fishing Education team travels to various locations within the state to share their experiences and help individuals broaden their knowledge and skills. Whether learning about the best bait to use, understanding fish behavior, or mastering the art of casting, the team provides invaluable insights and hands-on instruction to enhance the angling experience.

Fishing Classes

Find a fishing class near you.

Find a class

Resources

A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing

Guia para Principiante de Pesca

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Free Publications

ckent — Sun, 14 May 2023 23:53:42 +0000

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Free Publications

TOPIC

Free Publications for Kids

CATEGORY

Families

Youth

The following documents are free downloadable brochures in PDF format that are easy to print. If you have a problem printing a document call 833-356-0834.