2011 GLOF Ladies Free CPL-CCW Class
at the Michigan DNR Ralph A. MacMullan
(RAM Center) Conference Center
August 26-27.

By Lee Zeidler
Executive Director
August 31, 2011

    This year was the Foundations 3rd year for holding the free ladies CPL Class. We decided to go the Michigan DNR RAM Center in Roscommon, Michigan and see how that worked out. Previously, we did this over 2 weekends locally at the Caledonia Sportsman’s Club, but we thought having this on back to back days in one weekend might work better. It did. We started on Saturday morning with 31 anxious and nervous ladies with a Basic Pistol lesson in the classroom, and then to the range. Steve Dulan, Attorney from Lansing came up for the legal lesson. Saturday was devoted to Basic Pistol functions and range time learning the different handguns, shooting positions, Pistol parts, and shooting about 150 rounds on the range.

    The RAM Center was a great spot, and the staff and facility is first class. They setup a Bonfire for Saturday night on the beach, and served us dinner on the beach after class Saturday. The meals were great, and the staff very attentive.

    Sunday started the remainder of the NRA Personal Protection in the Home Class, the required course to obtain your Concealed Pistol License (CPL). Lessons were taught by Lee Zeidler and Gary VanderMeulen. Nick Lanning and Scott Fries were there to work on the range and assist in the class. After a full day of class and another 100 rounds of shooting the ladies were full of information and headed home. Between both days, the ladies shot over 7000 rounds of .22. 38, 9mm, and .45 ammo. We had over 30 handguns there for them to try out, and everyone shot all of them over both days. By the time Sunday’s range time ended all of the ladies were very comfortable on all the handguns, and were shooting behind cover, rapid firing, and loading and handling the handguns very comfortably. Most were nervous and hesitant on Saturday, and had a completely changed attitude by Sundays end. All 31 ladies received their certificate and are eligible to apply for the CPL when they return home. They also got a free pair of Shooting Glasses, and NRA Ear Muffs to take home.

    GLOF provided the Handguns, Ammo, Meals, Lodging, Instruction, and everything for the weekend for free as part of a grant from MCRGO Civil Defense Fund, the Shaw and Betty Walker Foundation, and the NRA Foundation. Without their generous support to these programs, we would not be able to make events like these happen. Our donors are the reason we can do these programs for women and youth. I also want to thank our volunteer NRA Instructors Gary VanderMeulen, Nick Lanning, and Scott Fries for all their hard work and time put into this event. The RAM Center location was perfect because the ladies could focus on the event for 2 days, and had no other distractions to worry about, and they got a weekend away. For more information on GLOF, our events and donations, please contact us through our website, or email us at lee@grloutdoors.org.