Awards will be given out Friday for the participants in the Hannibal Area Shooter’s Education Youth BB Gun League program.

The awards ceremony will be 6 p.m. Friday, March 6 at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center.

Travis Moore, coordinator, said about 57 youngsters finished the program, which teaches safe firearms handing and teamwork.

He said the participants have changed over the years. “A big part of it is that parents want their children to have some experience in case they encounter a firearm, no matter what kind of household they are in.”

He said parents are very interested in promoting gun safety. The program, sponsored by the Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department, is for youngsters ages 8-18. The participants met weekly for four months at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center.

Awards will be given out for team and individual shooting competitions and sportsmanship.