Interested in hosting training?

In the beginning, there was Gunsite plus a few other fixed location schools that taught defensive firearm skills to good citizens of this republic, along with the military and policy.

Since then, the number of both providers and locations has grown exponentially. Some of those places only use their own instructors. Others do a mix of local and traveling instructors. Some only host those traveling, itinerant trainers.

Over the years, I have hosted instructors for my old employer, attended classes where the instructor was being hosted, and been hosted. Teaching at Gunsite, I am familiar with how they handle class support issues. Considering these thoughts, let’s look at the host and hosting side of things.

Deciding

The first step is deciding what kind of training you want to bring in. After considering the needs and wants of your student base, look at the course offerings of several trainers. Students might be interested in a specific trainer. Yet, that person doesn’t teach the material you want. Spend the time to figure out who and what will be the best fit.

Facility Capability, Need

What the range can or cannot support may be a limiting factor. If I want long-range carbine, but my bays are only 35 yards deep, that may not work. Likewise, a low-light class would need to be able to shoot well past dark.

Suppose there are significant discussions and lectures in the material is there a classroom for them? How many students can the classroom hold?

If there are multiple bays, can you reserve the one(s) you need? Or will some local shooter throw a hissy fit over being kept off “their” bay for a day or two?

Communication

The conversation starts between the host and the incoming instructor. It includes minimum and maximum student numbers, range fees, insurance considerations, any facility limitations, potential modifications to the lesson plan, and who is supplying or paying for what specific items.

There also needs to be communication between the instructor and the students. If they register through the host, their contact information should be shared to facilitate that exchange.

Advertising

As an instructor, you probably know where on the internet to market your classes – various social media sites, groups, and the like. Your host probably knows who to share the information with locally. Hopefully, they are pushing that information out on their own email and social media accounts and to local ranges, gun stores, and -if relevant – police and sheriff’s departments. As a host, having those contacts can make all the difference.

Many trainers work out deals with hosts. However, those deals require some work on the host’s part.

Accessibility

After a recent class, I was in a discussion about various facilities with other instructors. There was one we all agreed was a well-equipped place to teach a wide variety of courses. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to get to. Amenities like hotels and restaurants were not as close as many would like.

On this topic, send the students directions to the range. I was hosted at a range I have been to several times as a student and an instructor. I had forgotten that the entrance was not the most visible one around. I knew several of the students had been there previously. While all the students did find it, not everyone knew how to get there. Note to self – add directions or a map reference to course emails in the future.

Certification

Some law enforcement entities require that training must be certified. If that is a concern with the class, how can that best be facilitated before the class? Hosts that can facilitate the process or know who can, are a godsend. Some states have reasonable processes that can take a brief amount of time; others can stretch out for months and are very process driven.

Physical support

This covers everything needed to facilitate the course outside the discussions and lectures. Some examples are targets – what kind and how many, target stands, tables or benches for ammunition and gear. Are there barricades to simulate working from cover?

Does the classroom have a projector and screen or large monitors for the presentations? Do you need to bring adapter cables to connect to it?

Environmental

How can the weather conditions be mitigated during the class?

If it is hot or hot and humid, is there shade available? Does the range have an overhang to cut the sun? or will you need pop-ups to provide a way for your students to get out of the sun? While the students should bring water and other fluids, we all know some things get forgotten, or the need is underestimated. If that happens, is there a plan to cover them? During one recent class, students drank over 250 bottles of water the host provided. There was a lot of ice involved as well. The shade and fluids were significant in keeping the students in a solid learning mode while making good decisions.

Cold weather is problematic too. I have taught classes that started the day at 14 degrees Fahrenheit and only hit 32 degrees as we stopped 9 hours later. A warming shed, burn barrels, and chemical heat packs were a huge help for all involved in the learning process that week.

My recollection is that Dave Spaulding said when you find a good host, you must go out of your way to treat them great. I have been very fortunate to have some wonderful hosts. If you have a viable location and are interested in hosting an outside instructor, this should give you some ideas about how to do it.