The LRPC Junior Programs give young people the chance to learn safely, grow confidently, and take pride in developing skills that last a lifetime.
Junior Shooting Programs
(Ages 7–17)
FREE Firearm Safety & Marksmanship Training for Youth
The Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club (LRPC) offers two free Junior Programs — Beginner and Advanced — designed to teach firearm safety, marksmanship, and personal responsibility in a structured, welcoming environment. Open to youth ages 7–17, the programs provide close supervision and guidance from experienced volunteers and NRA-certified instructors. All equipment is provided, and no prior experience is required.
LRPC’s Junior Program is one way our private, member-run club serves the wider community. Free instruction and equipment make participation available to families without the expense of getting started. Safety briefings include both young shooters and their parents, while recurring sessions provide guidance from experienced volunteers. Our members make these opportunities possible by sharing their time, knowledge, and club facilities.
Basic Information
Open to the public
Who Can Join: Youth ages 7–17 (participants may complete the season in which they turn 18)
Cost: FREE
When: First Saturday of each month, October through April
Requirements:
Participants must attend the full safety briefing to shoot
Parent or legal guardian must sign a liability waiver
Parent or guardian must remain on site during the session
Safety: All sessions are led by NRA-certified Range Safety Officers and experienced LRPC volunteers
Email: lakelandrpc@gmail.com , call (863) 665-0092, or join our mailing list
Location: Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club, 2000 Lasso Lane, Lakeland, FL 33801
Safety First: Parents and Participants
Every session begins with safety briefings for both participants and parents.
Participants learn what to expect, how to behave on the range, and the core rules of firearm safety.
Parents are also briefed on what to expect, the safety rules, and the importance of letting the instructors do the coaching.
Parents must remain on site throughout the session but behind the safety line. Phones must be silenced, and everyone on the range must wear hearing and eye protection.
Beginner Junior Program
For newcomers and developing shooters
Schedule: First Saturday of each month,
October–AprilSign-in starts at 12:30 PM
Program runs from 1:00 PM to approximately 3:30 PM
Location: LRPC 50-yard range
Firearms Used: .22 LR caliber rifles in the prone position
Updated 10/9/26: Due to strong attendance at our October event, advance registration is currently being established to ensure we do not exceed our capacity or disappoint families who attend the event. Please check this page before attending for updated registration instructions. Once the process is established, previous attendees will have the first opportunity to register. We will then email the signup link to other interested families and share it here and on our Facebook page.
The Beginner Program runs in two parts:
Experienced Beginners—those who have attended before—shoot first, completing two rounds of ten targets each.
New Beginners watch the first round to understand range procedures, then receive closer supervision and hands-on coaching during their turn to shoot.
Participants MUST attend the full safety briefing for the session at 1:00 pm to shoot.
Safety and skill mastery are the focus, not competition. When participants achieve accuracy milestones, they receive a medal to recognize their personal progress.
Sharpshooter: 65+ twice
Marksman: 80+ twice
Expert: 90+ twice
All firearms, ammunition, targets, and hearing and eye protection are provided, though participants may bring their own safety gear if preferred.
Every youth starts in the Beginner Program, regardless of their experience. After demonstrating consistent safe handling, accuracy, and maturity, participants may be invited to move up to the Advanced Junior Program.
Advanced Juniors Program
For youth ready to expand their experience.
Note: All participants must start with the Beginners for evaluation of readiness to progress to Advanced.
Schedule: First Saturday of each month, October–April
Registration at 9:30 AM
Program runs from 10:00 AM to approximately 11:30 AM
Participants MUST attend the full safety briefing for the session at 10:00 AM to shoot.
Eligibility: Typically ages 12 and older,
based on readiness and safety performance.
Advanced Juniors meet monthly at different ranges to gain experience with a variety of disciplines, including rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting. The specific range and discipline are announced each month in the Junior Program email update.
Participants are expected to follow all range commands and model the same safety standards they learned in the Beginner Program.
LRPC Junior Program Featured in The Rampant Colt
We're proud to share that LRPC's Junior Program was featured in the Summer 2026 edition of The Rampant Colt (Vol. 46, No. 2), the official publication of the Colt Collectors Association.
The article, "Building the Next Generation of Responsible Shooters: ECLF Support Expands Training Opportunities at Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club," recognizes the generous support of the Elizabeth Colt Legacy Foundation (ECLF), whose donation has helped expand training opportunities for our Advanced Juniors. The article was submitted by Robin Hill and authored by Dawn Drake.
📄 Download/View the Article (PDF)
Thank you to Robin and Ken Hill for all their efforts to
facilitate recognition of the LRPC Junior Program
and to the Elizabeth Colt Legacy Foundation for
their continued investment in youth firearms education.
Program Support
The Florida Firearms and Shooting Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides full financial support for the LRPC Junior Programs. The Foundation exists solely to ensure these youth programs remain free to all participants.
Those who wish to make a voluntary contribution to the Junior Program may contact our Club Administrator at lakelandrpc@gmail.com for information.
The LRPC Junior Programs continue to thrive thanks to the Florida Firearms and Shooting Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds our youth training program. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Elizabeth Colt Legacy Foundation for years of generous support — including the recent donation of Colt King Cobra .22 LR revolvers used in our Advanced Junior sessions.