Registrations for the 2020 Manitowoc Recreation Department Junior Rifle Spring Program are now being taken.

    From Bob Schuh’s article called Scoping the Great Outdoors.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Registrations for the 2020 Manitowoc Recreation Department Junior Rifle Spring Program are now being taken.

The second semester begins Jan. 8 and will be held for 10 weeks, ending on March 12. The program is open to ages 8 and older, including adults. Parents may sign up with their youngsters.

Shooting sessions will be at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays. If Wednesday classes are too small, they may be combined into one class and the instructor will let participants know the first night.

Classes are held at the firing range in the basement of the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, 1025 S. Ninth St. Safe gun handling, respect for firearms and marksmanship are the main focuses of the program.

Fee is $34 for city residents and $53 for non-residents. .22-caliber rifles and ammo are supplied by the program. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee. Call 920-684-6791 for info.

The program can now be used toward earning a Rifle Shooting Merit Badge in Boy Scouts, although earning the badge can take more than one semester.

Registration for the spring program can be done online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/manitowoc/ActiveNet_Login, at the Manitowoc Recreation Office, 3330 Custer St., or by calling 920-686-3060.