Range and Target Activities - Alamo Area Council

The purpose of the BSA shooting sports program is to introduce youth to the various age-appropriate shooting sports activities offered, in a safe environment, with the goal of providing a positive experience, for all participants. To achieve that goal, the AAC RATA team follows the most current BSA standards for all range and target activities, in addition to creating specific guidelines that govern all AAC-owned property ranges.

Click the links below for the latest RATA Manual as of 01/01/26

Range and Target Activities Manual – 2026 Edition (Complete Version)
Range and Target Activities Manual – 2026 Edition (Updated Changes Only as of 01/01/26)

Who Are We?

The RATA Committee is a group of well-trained and experienced adult volunteers who are certified by BSA and in their respective disciplines (NRA, USA Archery, and USA Shooting). These governing bodies are the main source for the curriculum required for training and instructor certification, to prepare individuals to be unit leadership in the various shooting sports activities.

The RATA Committee provides training for youth and adults throughout the year, in addition to supporting AAC Council and District sponsored events and BSA National events e.g. High Adventure, Jamboree, etc.
Are you an adult ready to TAKE AIM to become part of our team? Email us: adventure@alamoareascouting.org

RATA Training

The committee does not have a formal responsibility to train Instructors and Range Safety Officers (RSO) but does try to offer NRA Instructor and RSO, USA Archery, and Cub Scout Range Master training several times per year when volunteers are available to support the effort.

**To attend any training (Cub Scout or NRA Training) through our BSA Instructors, you must commit to volunteering 2 times per discipline in a 24 month period. For instance, if you take RSO Training at the Scouting America rate through our trainer, you will be required to RSO a range at a council-level event twice within the next 2 years. We are blessed to be able to offer these trainings to you at a highly discounted rate, and this is so that the shooting sports program can grow in the Alamo Area Council. We hope it will grow in your unit and at the Council level, as well. This can only be done with the help of volunteers like you. If you have any questions about this requirement or anything else relating to target and range sports please email Adventure@AlamoAreaScouting.org