Shooting Sports - Facilities

MCC Shooting Sports

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Mecklenburg County Council operates two camp properties, each of which offers a variety of shooting sports activities. Units may also utilize private and commercial properties for shooting sports, but the surest (and usually cheapest) option is at one of our camp properties.

Belk Scout Camp

This camp currently (March 2017) has two dedicated BB gun ranges and one dedicated archery range. The ranges are side-by-side at the front of the camp. In a few months (Summer 2017), the new archery pavilion/ranges will open across the main road from the existing ranges. This new structure will provide two dedicated archery ranges and allow the "old" archery range to be converted for BB gun use, giving us three BB gun ranges.

MSR-Camp Grimes

Mecklenburg Scout Reservation (Camp Grimes) has a number of dedicated shooting sports ranges.

We have a 50' rifle range with shooting benches for up to eight (8) participants at a time. The participants are under cover while shooting, which is very helpful when it is raining. The rifle range also has a covered program area where classes can be taught and safety briefings can be conducted before participants move onto the firing line. The range has lighting and ceiling fans for safety and comfort. The camp provides .22 bolt action rifles by Savage Arms. Eye and ear protection are available if participants do not bring their own. This range can accommodate BB guns for Cub Scouts, but the BB guns would need to be transported from Belk Scout Camp (and only for district/council events).

We have a shotgun range that has two (2) shooting stations. While the clay launchers are generally configured for "straight away" targets, we have a third launcher that can be deployed for more challenging shooting. The shotgun range has a covered program area and firing line. The shotgun range has lighting and ceiling fans for safety and comfort. The camp provides three different sized 12 gauge pump action shotguns (youth, mid, full).Eye and ear protection are available if participants do not bring their own.

We have a 150' archery range that can accommodate up to eight (8) participants. We generally use Genesis bows, but there are a few long bows available. Arm guards and finger tabs are available if participants do not bring their own.

We have a Cowboy Action Shooting range, which is a brand new program made available by the Boy Scouts of America in 2016. Our range features an Old West style facade and a variety of steel targets and a "clay flipper". Participants will shoot three different firearms, a .22 single action revolver, a .22 lever action rifle and a 20 gauge double-barrel stagecoach shotgun. In the Fall of 2017, we added LED lights so we can have fun in the evening, too! This activity is only available as a district/council event, such as summer camp. Watch Shooting Sports News for opportunities.

Another program that we are working to make available (perhaps during Summer Camp) is Chalk Ball. This is another new program released in 2016 that uses CO2 paint ball markers and balls of chalk fired at hanging targets, like cowbells. The participants wear a full face mask (for safety) while they get to see their chalk balls explode into a cloud of dust as they hit their targets. This program can easily be run at the existing archery range which already provides adequate space. The targets are suspended from a portable PVC frame.