The problem:

The Oldham County Shooting Sports program went thru a complete metamorphosis at the beginning of the program year. The club had five Shooting Sports Coaches retire or resign, which included the Program Coordinator. The loss of leadership was a tremendous concern to a program serving over 76 young people.

The educational program response:

The first item of business was to recruit a Program Coordinator, a 4-H Shooting Sports alumni had moved back to the county and was interested in involving her family again in Oldham County. This parent agreed to serve as the Program Coordinator, her family farm roots, county contacts and knowledge of the program certainly set her up for success in her new role. The club recruited and certified six new coaches which has Oldham County Shooting Sports now with 2 Coordinators, and twelve coaches. Five Junior Coaches have completed Coaches certification.

The Club Officers Executive Committee met throughout the year planning the club banquet, three restaurant fund raising nights, and a club wide county road clean up which generated much-needed funds. 

The participants/target audience: 

Youth ages 9 to 18 participating in 4-H Shooting Sports.

Other partners (if applicable):

Oldham County 4-H Council

Oldham County Extension Council

Cabela Sporting Goods 

Hockersmith Farms

Bowling Farms

Ballardsville Baptist Church

Program impact or participant response.

Sam Finney began his 4-H Archery Coaching Career in 2014 when he completed the Level 1 Certification. He has been instrumental in supporting the growth of the archery program in Oldham County. In 2021, Sam attended the Level II National Archery Certification. Since that time, he has assisted with the State Coaches certification, taught the Summer Camp Staff Archery Certification, and served as the lead Range Officer during the State Shoot. Most recently, Sam completed the state-level archery inventory and repaired state equipment all in preparation for the National Shooting Sports Event being held at Lake Cumberland Camp.

Sam is not only active in 4-H, but he is also a member of the Oldham County Extension Council and a District Board member. Sam serves as the chairperson of the Extension Land Search Committee; the Extension District Board will close on a 68-acre farm in August which will provide an outstanding location to develop the long awaited 4-H Archery Range.