As summer comes to an end and students return to school, many of them will carry with them the skills they learned at NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp—one of the crown jewels of NRA Whittington Center training. Created in 1988 by Mike Ballew, the camp fulfills his idea of offering a program that trained young people in not only firearms, but leadership, patriotism, and outdoor skills and conservation. He continued this mission over many years, advancing training for numerous teenagers aged 13 to 17. This camp is held in June and July annually in Raton, New Mexico, in two back-to-back sessions.
At camp, the three tenets taught to the campers are, in this order: Leadership, Patriotism and Marksmanship. The camp was founded to teach shooting, of various forms, and also to instill in our youth the history of America and the ability to be a leader. During the 13-day camp in 2026, the transformation observed in most of the campers’ attitudes was amazing. For example, a 14-year-old who was connected to his phone throughout the day at home is now making potentially lifelong friends with other campers, and the 17-year-old is now feeling confident speaking in a group and taking charge of cooking lunch for other campers. Some of the campers will advance to become volunteer counselors in future camps.
This camp is staffed completely with volunteers from all areas of the United States, the furthest at the 2026 session traveling from Hawaii. The volunteer instructors teach Shotgun, Pistol, Rifle (including long range out to one mile), Muzzle Loader, Archery and Cook Skills, and on-site Medical. It should be noted that the camp would not function without the many volunteers who drive the bus and the vans throughout the even, starting with airport pickups to the various the individual disciplines. Each of these volunteers works a minimum of 10 to12 hours per day, and medical is on call 24/7.
What happens during a “day in the life of” an NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camper?
Day 1 – Drop off day for the campers. There are some tears, much trepidation, and some fear of the unknown. As soon as the campers are registered and notified of their assigned cabin, they head to their cabin and choose a bunk. They are immediately met by their cabin counselors and made to feel at home. After settling in they begin to play football, listen to music or just sit and talk with their fellow campers.
The campers are bused to the Shotgun center for dinner at 6 p.m., where some of the rules are discussed. However, the first dinner (usually spaghetti) is relaxed. Afterward, the campers return to their cabins and assigned to their respective training groups and are explained cabin rules.
Days 2 to 9 – Rise around 5 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. to prepare for the day (eye/ear protection, a hat, sunscreen and water bottle, mandatory), cleaning cabins, and raising of the U.S. flag before boarding the bus to head for a hearty breakfast, where they partake in the Pledge of Allegiance and a blessing. Good manners are also learned at breakfast, as female instructors/volunteers are served breakfast first, followed by male instructors/volunteers, then the female and male campers. For approximately six weeks, the cafeteria staff prepares all meals—3 per day—not only for the Adventure Camp participants, but the various other groups who frequent the Whittington Center. After breakfast, the groups head to their respective disciplines for a day of training. Following a full day of instruction, the campers eat dinner and then are led to additional firearms training, cooking skills or leadership/history classes, hunting ethics, and safe game handling. Throughout the camp, campers are instructed on the New Mexico hunting regulations, safe fence traversing as a hunter, and safe firearms carry positions.
The campers return to their cabins around 8 p.m. where the counselors continue with reinforcing the leadership and patriotism in an informal setting. Lights out at 10 p.m.
Disciplines:
Pistol – Rimfire and center-fire handguns.
Rifle – Rimfire, center-fire rifles including M1 Garand, 50 cal., 6.5 Creedmoor.
Shotgun – Trap, skeet, five stand and sporting clays.
Muzzleloaders – flintlock, percussion
Archery – Recurve, long bow
Cooking Skills – Outdoor cooking using various cast iron pots teaching various camper decided meals
Days 10 - 12 – Campers complete the written test required to obtain a New Mexico Hunter’s Education certificate, then return to their cabins to prepare to be taken into Mule Canyon for their campout, where they will find their belongings and tents, ready to be erected by the campers. During campout, campers are responsible for the meals for their groups. They also compete in the “King of the Hill” pistol competition, graded on their performance of trail tracking, carry positions and game spotting. On the twelfth day, at the pistol range, the winner of each group shoots to determine the “King of the Hill” for the entire camp.
Instruction doesn’t end during campout. The campers are scored on the proficiency portion of the New Mexico Hunter’s Education on safe carry positions, fence crossing, hunting ethics and responsibilities, camp preparation and cooking, game care and tracking and followed into a simulated hunting situation to locate and identify various game animals. Campers must pass both the written and practical portions to earn their certificates. Campout is where all the previous instructions the campers received throughout the camp are put into a simulated real-life scenario.
The last event of the camp at the end of day 12 is a banquet and a dance for the counselors and campers who haven’t already departed. Here campers receive their Camp Certificate of Completion after having demonstrated throughout camp safe handling of firearms and shooting skills acquired in the classes.
This camp would not exist were it not for the many donors from the outdoor industry. These donors include, to name a few, Glock, Aguila, Ruger, Lapua, SK, Athlon, Lucid, Trijicon, Mossberg, CVA, Silver Stag, Hogdon Powder, Savage, Barrett, Streamlight, Federal, CCI, Henry and many more.
If you are interested in sending a son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandson, granddaughter, or sponsoring someone in your club or just the kid down the street, or if you wish to donate or volunteer, visit the NRA Whittington Center website at nrawc.org. With a maximum capacity of 56 campers per session, the camp fills fast, so it’s best to apply early.
As a volunteer instructor, this camp requires a lot of preparation, hands-on training and patience. However, when it’s over you will be smiling as wide as everyone else, as it’s one of the most rewarding summers you will ever experience.
This camp is very popular and fills up fast. Register now!
Register for the 2027 Camp here.
Register for the 2028 Camp here.
