Brian Hood is taking the lead as the Iowa State Advisor for the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP). Hood has been involved in shooting sports most of his life. As a kid, he started by setting clays for the local Izaak Walton League. He also shot in trap and skeet leagues, and of course, hunted birds and other wildlife. He discovered action shooting sports in the late 90’s and has been hooked ever since. He’s still an avid hunter and enjoys shotgun sports, but he spends most of his free shooting time pursuing handgun skills in USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) and Steel Challenge. He got his start coaching youth in the outdoors when he helped developed a 4H shooting sports program in Polk County in 2006. Hood is also currently the head coach of Central Iowa Scholastic Shooters, which started with SASP in 2014. Hood looks forward to helping the state of Iowa grow and develop the SASP program and share a sport that he loves.
Register for the chance to win a Tristar Setter over/under shotgun when you visit the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) booth at the Fishing & Hunting Expo on Jan. 7-8, 2017, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. Those who visit the booth will also learn more about the SCTP, where to find an area team, how to start a team, about competition opportunities, fundraising and MidwayUSA Foundation team endowment opportunities through the SCTP. Visit www.rockinghamexpo.com/ for more info on the expo.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is excited to release its 2016 year in review digital newsletter, Inside SSSF! Inside you'll find stories and exciting images highlighting SCTP, SASP and SSSF events, programs and happenings in 2016. You'll read about the Vision 20/20 Campaign, get a recap on the 2016 Nationals and SCTP International Championships, learn about the 2016 scholarship and gun winners, find out 2016 program stats and much, much more! "We want to thank everyone who participated in and generously contributed to our programs this year," SSSF President and Executive Director Ben Berka, said. "We wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017!!" Read the 2016 edition of Inside SSSF online now.
We would like to thank all of the individual donors and all of our teams who participated in the 2016 Vision 20/20 Leadership Giving campaign! With your help we surpassed our goal of $20,000 in the first year of this multi-year mission!! In the team competition, Wisconsin based Kettle Moraine Lasers Shooting team took top honors and the $10,000 MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment prize raising $4,240 with the Rocky Mountain Clay Busters from Colorado a close second by raising $3,865! See the complete team standings on our website and stay tuned on how your team can participate next year as we move closer to our goal of 20,000 youth shooters! About the Vision 20/20 Leadership Giving Campaign The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) has kicked off a new membership drive and fundraising campaign titled Vision 20/20. The purpose of the campaign is two-fold:
Provide a platform to boost our annual, national athlete membership in the SCTP and SASP from 15,000 youth to over 20,000 youth by the year 2020.
Provide local teams with the much needed funding to grow and sustain AND provide financial resources for the SSSF, through its programs, to start new teams where none exist today.
The 2016 campaign ran from October through mid-December. Head coaches of SCTP and SASP teams were provided with fundraising starter kits and instructions on how to conduct their local leadership giving campaign. By participating, teams raised money, earned Rudy Project glasses and had the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 in funds for their MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account. Please stay tuned for how your team can participate in the 2017 campaign!
In an effort to help you and your SCTP teams with National Governing Body (NGB) fees for the 2016/2017 shooting season as well as growing your team’s MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment account, we have a new program in place for this shooting season! Background As you may be aware, the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) has maintained partnerships with several of our NGB’s including the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA). These partnerships require that we host “registered events” at our state (where possible) and national championships and therefore our athletes competing in these events must have current memberships with the respective NGB. These partnerships provide two main benefits to SCTP athletes:
Provide a pathway and additional opportunities for youth and families to continue participating in competition clay target shooting outside of the regular SCTP season.
Provide much needed SCTP Scholarship funding to our graduating athletes. In 2016 the SCTP awarded $62,000 in college scholarships, supported in part by donations from our NGB partners.
Facilitating continued involvement in the shooting sports is part of the mission of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation /SCTP and we believe these partnerships with NGBs help us accomplish our mission. 2017 Incentive Program While paying additional membership dues to NGBs may be un-popular with some coaches, we believe we have found a solution that will benefit everyone. For every dollar that your team spends on NGB memberships sent in through the SHOT system, we will send that exact amount of money to your teams MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment account! This will include your team’s coaches and adult volunteer memberships that are also paid through our system!! For example: “Team A” has 100 athletes who all shoot Trap. They remit payment (through SHOT5 or check to SCTP Headquarters) for 100 athletes’ ATA membership dues of $12 per athlete = $1,200. The SCTP/SSSF will then send that exact amount of money into “Team A’s” Midway USA Foundation account. It’s that simple! This only includes NGB membership dues paid through the SCTP. Dues paid directly to the NGB are not eligible. This will include ALL NGB Membership Dues paid from Sept. 1st, 2016 through May 31st, 2017 ONLY! Teams MUST have an active account with the MidwayUSA Foundation prior to May 31st in order to receive Team Endowment funding. So coaches, when registering your team remember to pay their NGB membership dues at that time to take advantage of this opportunity to grow your teams MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment accounts! If you have any questions about this program, please contact me. I will be happy to explain it in more detail! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you at a competition soon! Sincerely, Tom Wondrash – SCTP National Director
Reprinted with permission from Scouting Magazine The Boy Scouts of America has selected two young people to serve as the 2016-2017 NRA/BSA Brownell Youth Ambassadors. In this role, the pair will represent all Boy Scouts and Venturers at a variety of shooting sports industry events. They’ll work in support of the BSA and the National Rifle Association to promote responsible shooting sports activities within Scouting. At Scout camps across the country each year, hundreds of thousands of Scouts and Venturers participate in shooting sports activities — archery, rifle shooting, shotgun shooting and more. Trained adult volunteers ensure they have safe and rewarding experience. Shooting sports are one of the many ways that Scouting teaches character to young people. The activities are known to both attract and retain youth in the Scouting movement. The two NRA Youth Ambassadors are Jamie Lear, 18, of the Amarillo, Texas-based Golden Spread Council; and Keaton Sharp, also 18, of the Houston-based Sam Houston Area Council. Their first major assignment is to represent the BSA and the NRA at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show in January in Las Vegas. They’ll attend meetings, visit and thank sponsors, and support the mission of the BSA. In April, they’ll again represent the BSA at a big event — this time the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta. All this in addition to writing articles for the NRA’s blogs, NRA magazine and other shooting sports publications.Jamie Lear
Meet Jamie Lear
Jamie, 18, is a freshman at Oklahoma State University studying family and consumer sciences. In high school, she was active in Girl Scouts, Venturing, high school band, church band, softball, Student Council, 4-H and more. Among her many Scouting honors are the Girl Scout Gold Award, God and Life religious award and Venturing Silver Award. She attended the 2013 National Jamboree. Her shooting sports experience spans 10 years, including archery, air rifle, .22 long rifle and shotgun shooting. Jamie says she loves shooting sports (but doesn’t get to participate as much as she’d like) and Scouting. “It teaches our youth so much about life,” she says. “It has been a part of my life since I was in first grade, and I am still in it. More people should be involved in Scouting.” She says she’ll make a good ambassador because she’s an advocate of safe gun handling. “You must be thoroughly aware of what you are doing with the gun 100 percent of the time,” she says. “I am willing to teach those who are wanting and willing to learn the proper usage of guns in the shooting sports community, no matter the age.”Keaton Sharp
Meet Keaton Sharp
(SSSF addition to story: Keaton is a member of the Montgomery 4H Shotgun Team – a SCTP member team out of Magnolia, Texas, and has also attended several SCTP sponsored Junior Olympic Development Camps as well as SCTP International Championship Competitions.) Keaton, 18, began his Scouting journey in second grade. In February 2016, he earned the Eagle Scout Award, a feat that didn’t mark the end of his time in Scouting. “I have made it my mission to emphasize to all future Eagle Scouts that you don’t ‘Eagle out’ of the troop,” he says. “You ‘Eagle into’ the troop and take on more responsibilities as a leader.” In addition to Scouting success, Keaton has developed into quite the marksman. He competed in the USA Shooting Olympic Team Trials in May in Arkansas and the USA Shooting National Junior Olympic Championships in June in Colorado. Despite his success with competitive shotgun shooting, Keaton has remained active with Troop 41. He earned Eagle palms and enjoys teaching other Scouts about responsible gun use. “I enjoy being a leader and role model for others and teaching younger Scouts the skills that I have learned over the years,” he says. “I enjoy spreading the educational and life values that shooting and Scouting promote.”
How to apply to become a future NRA Youth Ambassador
Find the application, and lots more info about the BSA’s shooting sports programs, at this link.
How to learn more about the BSA’s shooting sports programs
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) has announced that the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships will be conducted at the Ohio-based Cardinal Shooting Center July 8-15, 2017. The SSSF has signed a three-year agreement with the Cardinal Shooting Center to hold its annual July championships from 2017-2019. “We are very pleased to be working with the Cardinal Shooting Center for the next three years” said Ben Berka, president and executive director for the SSSF. “The staff at Cardinal worked very hard to accommodate our 2016 National event and met near-impossible deadlines to expand range infrastructure, proving their commitment to our teams and families. We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of providing first class championship events for our SCTP & SASP teams in central Ohio!” "The Cardinal Shooting Center is ecstatic about the partnership with SSSF to host their National Championship in Marengo, Ohio” said Luke Spengler, trap manager at the Cardinal Shooting Center. “We look forward to providing the SCTP/SASP competitors and their families with a great facility and a high quality event. We await eagerly to see all of the competitors in July and we know you will have a fantastic time in Ohio!" About the SSSF National Championships The SSSF National Championships is the culminating annual showcase of youth development for many Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) teams around the country. Youth teams in the SCTP and SASP have the opportunity to compete in multiple shotgun, rifle and pistol based events at this week-long, family friendly event. Held every year beginning the second Saturday in July, the championships host around 2,500 youth and their families with over one million shots fired by youth competitors.
If you know you’ll be attending the 2017 SCTP/SASP National Championships at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio, July 8-15, 2017, go ahead and make your reservation now to secure your lodging at the sports facility, nearby campground or at one of the many hotels in the area. Considered Ohio’s premier public shooting sports facility, the Cardinal Center offers impressive trapshooting and sporting clays ranges, as well as an indoor heated pool, lake for fishing, lots of outdoor activities, and great facilities for family camping, including 550 camp sites. Wifi service is available on the grounds as well. The center is located at I-71 (exit 140) and St. Rt. 61, just 30 miles north of Columbus. For those not keen on camping, there are a number of additional lodging options located within 30 minutes of the Cardinal Center. CAMPING: Cardinal Center Campground – 419-253-0800 (550 Sites) Sunbury/Columbus KOA (formerly Autumn Lakes Campground) – 740-625-6600 (less than 5 miles from Cardinal Center)
Camping/Cabins/WI-FI/Fishing/Store/Spa-Pool/Play Ground/many other youth activities
HOTELS: (9 Miles South) Holiday Inn Express – 740-362-3036
Breakfast/WI-FI/Pool
America’s Best Value Inn – 740-362-6159
Email – abvisunbury@yahoo.com
Breakfast/WI-FI/Pool
Hampton Inn – 740-363-4700
Breakfast
(11 Miles North – Mt. Gilead)
Knights Inn – 419-768-4217
WI-FI/Coffee-Tea
Best Western – 419-768-2378
No Rate Given
Other area Hotels: Delaware: Pacer Inn & Suites – 844-335-8279 Best Western Plus – 844-300-2579 Comfort Inn – 844-533-1334
Closer to Columbus (Polaris Exit)
Hilton Garden Inn Cambria Hotel & Suites Holiday Inn Homewood Suites Fairfield Inn Sheraton Extended Stay Candlewood Suites Comfort Inn
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is pleased to announce the election of Barry Rich to its board of directors. Rich resides in Nashville, is recently retired from the banking industry and has previously served in numerous volunteer positions with the National Skeet Shooting Association and co-chair of the Ladies Charity Skeet Classic for seven years. "We welcome Barry to the SSSF Board!” said Louise Terry, SSSF chairperson. “I have known Barry for almost 15 years and we have worked together on a number of shooting projects. I'm looking forward to continuing our efforts to promote youth and the shooting sports." Rich has been a strong supporter and benefactor of the SSSF and is currently co-owner of Double Guns of Nashville, a dealer in competition shotguns and fine double guns. "I am honored to serve on the SSSF board,” Rich said. “The work of this foundation is critical to introducing the shooting sports to the youth of America, and ensuring their continued involvement." Rich’s election fills the board seat vacated by Carlton Nether on the eleven-member board.
Kris Leach The SASP is excited to welcome Kris Leach to the organization's administrative staff. Leach became involved in shooting sports several years ago when her son and youngest daughter began participating in the SASP and SCTP programs. She began helping through parent volunteering. She then decided to become more involved by becoming a Level 1 NRA coach. "I am excited to join SASP as administrative staff," Leach said. As a proud mom, I cheered and encouraged my kids and their teammates at the state, regional and national events. I could see the respect, confidence, growth, and increasing maturity in the members of our team and realized what a great teaching tool shooting sports can be for a child. I look forward to using my background and experience to support the growth and success of SASP."
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing shooting-sports education and opportunities to school-age youths around the United States to encourage young athlete personal growth and development. Tax-ID number 20-8484121.
Brian Hood is taking the lead as the Iowa State Advisor for the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP). Hood has been involved in shooting sports most of his life. As a kid, he started by setting clays for the local Izaak Walton League. He also shot in trap and skeet leagues, and of course, hunted birds and other wildlife. He discovered action shooting sports in the late 90’s and has been hooked ever since. He’s still an avid hunter and enjoys shotgun sports, but he spends most of his free shooting time pursuing handgun skills in USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) and Steel Challenge. He got his start coaching youth in the outdoors when he helped developed a 4H shooting sports program in Polk County in 2006. Hood is also currently the head coach of Central Iowa Scholastic Shooters, which started with SASP in 2014. Hood looks forward to helping the state of Iowa grow and develop the SASP program and share a sport that he loves.
Register for the chance to win a Tristar Setter over/under shotgun when you visit the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) booth at the
In an effort to help you and your SCTP teams with National Governing Body (NGB) fees for the 2016/2017 shooting season as well as growing your team’s MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment account, we have a new program in place for this shooting season! Background As you may be aware, the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) has maintained partnerships with several of our NGB’s including the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA). These partnerships require that we host “registered events” at our state (where possible) and national championships and therefore our athletes competing in these events must have current memberships with the respective NGB. These partnerships provide two main benefits to SCTP athletes:
Reprinted with permission from Scouting Magazine The Boy Scouts of America has selected two young people to serve as the 2016-2017 NRA/BSA Brownell Youth Ambassadors. In this role, the pair will represent all Boy Scouts and Venturers at a variety of shooting sports industry events. They’ll work in support of the BSA and the National Rifle Association to promote responsible shooting sports activities within Scouting. At Scout camps across the country each year, hundreds of thousands of Scouts and Venturers participate in shooting sports activities — archery, rifle shooting, shotgun shooting and more. Trained adult volunteers ensure they have safe and rewarding experience. Shooting sports are one of the many ways that Scouting teaches character to young people. The activities are known to both attract and retain youth in the Scouting movement. The two NRA Youth Ambassadors are Jamie Lear, 18, of the Amarillo, Texas-based Golden Spread Council; and Keaton Sharp, also 18, of the Houston-based Sam Houston Area Council. Their first major assignment is to represent the BSA and the NRA at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show in January in Las Vegas. They’ll attend meetings, visit and thank sponsors, and support the mission of the BSA. In April, they’ll again represent the BSA at a big event — this time the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta. All this in addition to writing articles for the NRA’s blogs, NRA magazine and other shooting sports publications.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) has announced that the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships will be conducted at the Ohio-based Cardinal Shooting Center July 8-15, 2017. The SSSF has signed a three-year agreement with the Cardinal Shooting Center to hold its annual July championships from 2017-2019. “We are very pleased to be working with the Cardinal Shooting Center for the next three years” said Ben Berka, president and executive director for the SSSF. “The staff at Cardinal worked very hard to accommodate our 2016 National event and met near-impossible deadlines to expand range infrastructure, proving their commitment to our teams and families. We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of providing first class championship events for our SCTP & SASP teams in central Ohio!” "The Cardinal Shooting Center is ecstatic about the partnership with SSSF to host their National Championship in Marengo, Ohio” said Luke Spengler, trap manager at the Cardinal Shooting Center. “We look forward to providing the SCTP/SASP competitors and their families with a great facility and a high quality event. We await eagerly to see all of the competitors in July and we know you will have a fantastic time in Ohio!" About the SSSF National Championships The SSSF National Championships is the culminating annual showcase of youth development for many Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) teams around the country. Youth teams in the SCTP and SASP have the opportunity to compete in multiple shotgun, rifle and pistol based events at this week-long, family friendly event. Held every year beginning the second Saturday in July, the championships host around 2,500 youth and their families with over one million shots fired by youth competitors.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is pleased to announce the election of Barry Rich to its board of directors. Rich resides in Nashville, is recently retired from the banking industry and has previously served in numerous volunteer positions with the National Skeet Shooting Association and co-chair of the Ladies Charity Skeet Classic for seven years. "We welcome Barry to the SSSF Board!” said Louise Terry, SSSF chairperson. “I have known Barry for almost 15 years and we have worked together on a number of shooting projects. I'm looking forward to continuing our efforts to promote youth and the shooting sports." Rich has been a strong supporter and benefactor of the SSSF and is currently co-owner of Double Guns of Nashville, a dealer in competition shotguns and fine double guns. "I am honored to serve on the SSSF board,” Rich said. “The work of this foundation is critical to introducing the shooting sports to the youth of America, and ensuring their continued involvement." Rich’s election fills the board seat vacated by Carlton Nether on the eleven-member board.
