Firing by File, the Boy Scout Way

[Bob Gerard]

Today we finished another fantastic summer teaching the basics of Muzzleloading shooting to the Scouts at Camp Raven Knob. Each week has a new group of Scouts from near and far who spend a week in the "Mountain Man Program". On each Tuesday they get the full immersion of Muzzleloading training by our team in loading and shooting both patched Round Ball and Minnie Ball. The end of each day we have a few fun Volley Fires and Firing by Files, using both Muskets and rifles (for the smaller kids).
Its a wonderful experience and these kids go home with memories to last a lifetime.
Here's their parting volley in a fine Feu de joie

[Gtrubicon]

That’s really neat, I’d of loved something like that when I was a kid!

[PHolder]

I'm glad some camps are still doing stuff like this. 

I lived quite a number of years near Raven Knob.  Loved taking our Cubs there for the weekend every fall.
A good friend of mine would spend each summer up there in aquatics. 

[Martin S.]

Good job, Bob!

I first shot a muzzleloader (and a .22) in the Boy Scouts, which is why I am in this hobby nearly 50 years later.

We worry about this hobby dying out, literally, as most of our kindred spirits are older folks.  The only way to keep that from happening is to create new interest among the younger generations. 

You are doing us, and the hobby, a service.  Thank you!

Oh, and your horns are beautiful as well.

[smylee grouch]

Good job. Exposure to the fun is a good way to insure the future of our pastime. Bad Government will be our biggest hurdle .