Excerpt from: Visitor's Guide to the Colorado Rockies
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| May 20, 2009 | | The Vail Recreation District (VRD) is partnering with Mathew Bayley, owner of On Target and Vail Academy of Martial Arts, to offer new programs this summer that will incorporate shooting instruction for rifle, pistol and shotgun. Classes are for ages eight years and older and will include instruction by Bayley on safety information and safe handling of firearms, plus beginning, intermediate and advanced firearms instruction. Students taking lessons in rifle and pistol will utilize target shooting, while shotgun students will have an opportunity to practice with sporting clays.
According to Bayley, who is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol and Personal Protection instructor, has been a post-certified defense tactics instructor for law enforcement and is a certified Range and Safety Officer and Rifle Instructor, when properly taught, firearms training is one of the safest of all organized recreational activities. "My goal is to work with the VRD to offer a new recreational activity that both guests and Vail Valley residents will find unique and exciting," said Bayley. "Firearm lessons can be exhilarating and often students find shooting a rewarding life-long pursuit. These lessons are also a perfect opportunity for firearm enthusiast to brush up on their safety protocols and learn the newest techniques to take their shooting skills to the next level."
Two Elk Shooting RangeCosts are $150 per hour for individual instruction, $200 for an hour lesson for two students and $50 per hour for each additional student up to six students. Firearms are included or participants are welcome to bring their own. Ammunition is not included. On Target shooting programs are ideal for individual, families and corporate groups visiting the Vail Valley.
An educator for 35 years, Bayley has received a commendation from the Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Education for "outstanding skill in both motivating and educating with a high degree of effectiveness" and is known throughout his filed as an articulate and creative teacher with the ability to relate to and effectively instruct any student. According to VRD Executive Director Mike Ortiz, the VRD is thrilled to offer the community and its guests a new and diverse activity to choose from. "The VRD's mission is to offer diverse and exceptional recreation opportunities that enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of all its residents and guests," said Ortiz. "Mathew is an exceptional instructor and this new program is perfect match for the VRD and Vail Valley."
Bayley offers these additional programs through On Target:
* The NRA Basic Pistol Program: A pre-requisite for attaining a Concealed Carry Permit
* Girls and Their Guns: For women interested in basic handgun safety, self protection for the home and while hiking or traveling
* Beginning and Advanced Concealed Carry and Tactical Training: For those interested in private one-on-one lessons that include the fundamentals of defense against knives and sticks and close quarter combat techniques
* Tactical rifle and shot gun classes
* Personal Protection for the Home: Close quarter shooting skills coupled with ideas for creating a safe room and methods for making your home safer
For more information or to book a lesson, contact Bayley at mbayley@ontargetatvail.com or call 970-949-8121. For details on all other VRD activities and events, visit www.vailrec.com.
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