A new grant from the Hal and Jean Glassen Foundation has provided a new 4-H shooting sports trailer to store and transport the equipment in order to increase 4-H youth involvement in the program statewide. Pictured above are 4-H shooting sports state trainers and several youth members of the Barry County 4-H Shooting Sports Club.

With a new grant from the Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation, the Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports Program was able to purchase a trailer to store and transport equipment.

“The Glassen Foundation support means our 4-H shooting sports program can continue to grow in number of volunteer leaders and equipment which translates to more youth involvement,” said Nick Baumgart, MSU Extension educator for environmental and outdoor education and shooting sports.

The Glassen Foundation’s focus is on environmental and outdoor education, shooting sports programs and enhancing wildlife, and animal welfare research.

“It’s one of our missions to support shooting sports education,” said Thomas Huggler, Glassen Foundation president. “It made sense for us to provide support for the trailer to export the program all over the state of Michigan.”

“Hal Glassen wanted us to make investments in shooting sports and youth education in shooting sports, hunting and conservation. By supporting 4-H, we are supporting two of the legs on this ‘stool,’” Huggler said.

Hal and Jean Glassen were avid hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists. They established the Glassen Foundation to continue their lifelong ambitions and goals. Hal, a University of Wisconsin graduate, was a partner in the Lansing law firm of Glassen, Rhead, McLean, Campbell and Schumacher and practiced law for 62 years prior to his death in 1992. Jean was the first woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin. With a degree in bacteriology, she pursued a career as a biologist with the Michigan Department of Public Health.

“My own kids are active in Eaton County 4-H, including shooting sports,” Huggler said. “I know firsthand the value of the 4-H shooting sports program – I’ve seen the value from my kids, and they’re really enthused.

“When you think about it, the investment you make in shooting sports is small – kids learn confidence, new skills, cooperation – this is what 4-H is all about. For the low cost, the return on the investment is multiplied – the future of conservation, hunting and fishing is all resting on the shoulders of our youth,” he added.

In addition, the Glassen Foundation has annually sponsored the 4-H Shooting Sports Volunteer and Instructor Training Workshop at Kettunen Center since 2010.

“The 4-H Shooting Sports Workshop trains the 4-H volunteers who teach the youth – it’s the gift that keeps on giving. The trainers spread the influence and provide opportunity for kids all over the state of Michigan,” Huggler said. “These shooting sports and outdoor education programs are so important. That’s why we get so excited about it!”

The 4-H Shooting Sports Workshop, held each April, is one of the largest 4-H workshops at Kettunen Center. At the workshop, 4-H participants learn about the Michigan 4-H shooting sports mission, policies, risk management, safety, discipline-specific equipment use and care. Participants also develop and improve skills in teaching shooting sports activities to youth; learn how to develop, expand and maintain local 4-H shooting sports programs; and refresh and renew their respect and concern for safety in the 4-H shooting sports program. Adults who successfully complete the workshop and all other requirements receive certification as Michigan 4-H shooting sports instructors for the discipline in which they participate.

“The Glassen Foundation’s annual support reduces the cost of the annual 4-H leader certification workshop at Kettunen Center. In addition, Glassen has generously allowed us to purchase much needed equipment to enhance our training abilities,” Baumgart said.