Project Appleseed

appleseedinfo.org

No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. 

         ---Thomas Jefferson: Draft Virginia Constitution, 1776.

I am a huge fan of this organization.  From what I have read and heard from people who have attended, this is some of the best rifle marksmanship training available for the average person.  At a cost of $70 for 2 days (only $10 for women!), if you have an Appleseed Marksmanship Clinic near you, it would be silly not to attend.

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

        --- Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.

To me, marksmanship is just another skill set that we should have in order to be more self-sufficient.  Wild game is one of the healthiest sources of protein we can eat.  If we are fortunate enough to have some land and the ability to hunt on it, but we have no skill with a rifle, we are missing out on an lot of very healthy, very inexpensive food.  We are also likely going to incur more loss of our crops to these animals.

One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them. 

--- Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1796. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.

I will not go into the personal and national security aspects of gun ownership, but I feel that Americans are remiss if not practicing their Second Amendment rights.

I love this photo from an Appleseed program.  

It highlights that these events are really geared toward families.

So what is this all about?
Through Project Appleseed, the Revolutionary War Veterans Association is committed to teaching two things: rifle marksmanship and our early American heritage. We do this for one simple reason, the skill and knowledge of what our founding fathers left to us is eroding in modern America and without deliberate action, they will be lost to ignorance and apathy.


So what is Project Appleseed?
Appleseed is a program that instructs Americans on the traditional rifle marksmanship skills that have been passed down from generation to generation, along with reconnecting today's Americans with the people and events of the Founding era. Participants are taught fundamental rifle marksmanship skills that are to allow a Rifleman to be accurate out to 500 yards, with iron sights, standard rifle and surplus ammo. This is the traditional 'Rifleman's Quarter mile', which is an uniquely American Rifleman skill, that has been part of this nation from the very first days.


Most of the instruction at an Appleseed is conducted at 25 meters, at reduced size targets to simulate 100 to 500 yards. This well proven technique allows us to concentrate on the shooter's mechanics and less time walking a range. At those locations that allow for actual distance shooting, participants are often able to see first hand that the skills that they learn at 25 meters directly apply to actual distances out to 500 yards. These foundational skills are not being passed on to future generations, and so Appleseeds are great for new or experienced shooters alike.


Why "Appleseed?"
"Appleseed" comes from Johnny Appleseed, the American folk hero who toured the country, planting appleseeds so that future generations would benefit. Project Appleseed is designed to ensure the next generations will the benefit of the same Liberties as the generations before them.