Riflery Counselor Training with Jackson Hole Shooting Experience

Each spring, as we prepare to welcome our campers back for a summer of learning, adventure, and growth, we dedicate time to training our staff in the skills and safety standards that make Teton Valley Ranch Camp such a special place. This season, we were thrilled to once again welcome the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience back to the ranch to lead safety and riflery training for our counselor team.

Shepard Humphries, founder of Jackson Hole Shooting Experience, joined us for lunch before heading out to the rifle range with our riflery and archery crew. His visit wasn’t just about reviewing safety — though that remained front and center — it was also about helping us elevate the camper experience through thoughtful instruction and engaging teaching methods. During the training, Shepard reviewed core firearm safety principles:

• Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
• Keep firearms unloaded until in use.

This year’s session also introduced dynamic shooting drills, designed to challenge campers in fun, competitive ways. Thanks to a grant written by Shepard through the Jackson Hole Shooting Sports Foundation, our range now includes a shot timer — a fantastic tool that brings energy and excitement to our sessions.

But there’s more to these drills than just fun. Shepard emphasized the value of teaching under time pressure, showing how structured challenges help campers internalize proper form and develop confidence — not just on the range, but in life. As campers perform skills under time constraints, they build the mental flexibility to stay focused under stress — a life skill they’ll carry far beyond camp.

While our camp remains intentionally unplugged, we know campers will remember their times and scores. We may even see them posted on the Shooting Leaderboard one day for bragging rights!

In addition to range activities, Shepard’s training also addressed communication and first aid. Counselors practiced how to discreetly address safety concerns with campers — out of earshot, respectfully, and without shaming — reinforcing the importance of preserving a child’s dignity while maintaining safety. Members of our on-site medical team participated in discussions on emergency protocols, further enhancing our readiness.

To drive home the seriousness of safe firearms handling, we conducted simple ballistics demonstrations using different thicknesses of wooden targets. Even a .22 caliber round pierced a wrist-sized branch, reminding us all that firearms deserve deep respect. Shepard encouraged our counselors to perform similar demos with campers — a powerful, visual way to teach the importance of caution and responsibility.

Over the last 15 years, Shepard and his team have provided unforgettable shooting experiences for over 35,000 guests. Through innovation, professionalism, and a commitment to safe and meaningful education, Jackson Hole Shooting Experience continues to lead the way in transforming recreational shooting into an empowering and memorable activity.

We’re grateful for their partnership and for helping ensure that our campers enjoy not only the thrill of riflery but also the lifelong lessons it quietly imparts.