COVID-19 caused a lot of problems in schools across the country and around the world, and schools in Missouri were no different. Cancellations, postponements, schedule changes and much more have plagued both public and private schools.

In an effort to help educators, the Missouri Department of Education (MDC) is encouraging teachers to add Hunter Education to their in-school curriculum.

According to MDC Education Program Coordinator Justin McGuire:

“Many schools were closed for much of the year, which reduced the number of kids who could get hunter-ed certified in schools”

So the MDC is encouraging teachers to notify their local MDC Conservation Educator to add the courses into their curriculum.

Even though the challenges were there in 2020, MDC staff, teachers, and other volunteer instructors were able to teach 244 classes at 150 schools. Due to these collective efforts, nearly 4,300 students were certified in hunter education in 2020.

The news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation goes on to say the course is offered at about 160 schools per year and has provided 820 skills sessions over the past several years that resulted in certifying 15,390 students.

Not only does the MDC offer the hunter ed courses but  it was also noted that the MDC Conservation Educators can also assist teachers with the MDC Discover Nature Schools (DNS) Program and the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MONASP).

Since hunting is a very important part of life in many rural schools across Missouri, the hunter ed classes helps reinforce many of the concepts they already know, such as firearm safety.

For more information contact your local MDC Conservation Educator or go to mdc.mo.gov/regional-contacts.

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