In an effort to introduce more youngsters to the shooting sports, Leupold® has donated 24 spotting scope kits to four of the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance’s (YSSA) priority programs.
The donated Sequoia® 15-45x60mm spotting scope kits were distributed to programs deemed priority by a national assessment conducted by the YSSA. The four recipient programs include:
• Alaska Department of Fish & Game Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range in Fairbanks, Alaska
• Army JROTC unit in Walhalla, South Carolina
• Gerald R. Ford Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, BSA, in Pleasant Hill, California
Cyndi Flannigan, Leupold sales manager, commented, “We’re proud to support the needs of programs that have such tremendous impact on the introduction and retention of youth into the shooting sports.”
Of the four programs, Alaska’s Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range Facility reaches the most people. Serving as the hub of firearms safety and education training for Interior Alaska, the facility reaches more than 20,000 people each year, including more than 5,000 youth.
Though not as large as the Alaska program, the Walhalla JROTC marksmanship team has experienced the quickest growth by tripling in size in less than two years. Col. Kevin Mangan, JROTC commander, stated, “We have seen a remarkable increase in interest and participation in our rifle team. In fact, our unit plans to host a clinic and competition for area JROTC units this fall to show the simplicity of running a team.”
Less focused on the competition aspect of shooting, BSA offers a wide variety of shooting sports programs to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts.
“Shooting sports are one of the main reasons boys sign up for our summer camps,” said Suzie Blake of the Gerald R. Ford Council, BSA. “Having quality equipment like Leupold spotting scopes allows the scouts the opportunity to improve marksmanship skills and build self confidence.”
Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the most prominent American-owned and -operated optics company, employs more than 650 people in its state-of-the-art Beaverton, Ore., facility where rugged, dependable, high-performance Golden Ring® sports optics are designed, machined and assembled. Leupold is a fifth-generation, family-owned company whose products are sold worldwide to hunters, wildlife observers, competitive shooters, law enforcement officers and special operations military personnel. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; flashlights; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.
For more information on Leupold products, visit their website at www.leupold.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently partnered with Winchester Ammunition to provide all of the rimfire and shotshell ammunition requested in support of the 2008 priority youth shooting sports programs.
Winchester Ammunition provided ammunition to the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game Hunter Education Shooting Range Facility in Fairbanks, AK; the South Carolina 4-H Shooting Sports; the Mobile Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, in Mobile, AL; the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America, in Pleasant Hill, CA; and the Calhoun County 4-H Shooting Sports in Pittsboro, MS. These priority programs were among those recommended by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer’s National Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs Assessment conducted by YSSA.
Greg Kosteck, Director, Winchester Marketing said “Winchester Ammunition is proud to support the needs of successful youth programs that create measurable improvements in youth participation in the shooting sports.”
Winchester Ammunition has demonstrated a leadership role in support of youth shooting sports. The company made a groundbreaking $500,000 pledge in April, 2007 to permanently endow NRA’s Marksmanship Qualification Program. Many youth program leaders consider this program an indispensable way to encourage young people to develop their shooting skills and grow their interest in the shooting sports. With this gift, Winchester became the exclusive, permanent sponsor of the program now known as the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. Winchester Ammunition also supports Ronald McDonald House Charities as the National Title Sponsor of the Kids & Clays Foundation.
For more information on Winchester products, visit their website at www.winchester.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced that the Henry Repeating Arms Company has donated legendary Henry rifles in support of the youth shooting sports programs offered by the Hunter Education Shooting Range Facility in Fairbanks, Alaska and the Montana 4-H Shooting Sports. These priority programs were among those recommended by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer’s National Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs Assessment conducted by YSSA.
The Hunter Education Shooting Range Facility, managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, serves as the hub of firearms safety and education training for the shooting sports in Interior Alaska. The facility reaches more than 20,000 people each year, including more than 5,000 youth, with their various programs and events. As budgets are reduced and utility costs sky rocket, their ability to provide adequate equipment and supplies to continue with and expand their programs is severely impacted.
The Program requested the assistance of the YSSA to acquire a diverse inventory of shooting sports equipment to continue their valuable youth-oriented programs and assist in expanding to reach more youth in the community. Among the equipment requested were twelve Henry Mini Bolt Youth .22 rifles with the orange stock option to complement the adult models previously purchased by the program. Henry Repeating Arms generously fulfilled this need by donating all of the rifles requested.
The Henry Mini Bolt Youth .22 is the perfect rifle for introducing youngsters to shooting and hunting. The Mini Bolt is ideally proportioned for small-framed shooters. The U.S.A Olympic Shooting Team was so impressed by its kid-friendly performance and bull’s eye-punching accuracy, they named it the Official Youth Rifle of their program.
Montana 4-H Shooting Sports is the 4th largest 4-H project in the state with 2,642 youth enrolled. The Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Committee conducts three certification workshops each year in different locations across Montana in order to qualify volunteers to lead county programs. The program’s greatest need is to acquire equipment for use at their training workshops. Among the equipment requested were two Henry .22 rifles with 20” barrels.
Henry Repeating Arms responded by donating two Henry Golden Boy .22 LR rifles – a masterpiece of fine crafted gunsmithing. The Henry Golden Boy is one beautiful classic that was selected by the readers of Guns & Ammo magazine in 2001 as “Rifle of the Year.”
Henry Repeating Arms Company has served as a long-time supporter of youth shooting sports programs. Mr. Anthony Imperato, President, recognizes the importance of introducing kids to the joy of shooting and hunting as our best investment in continuing our shooting sports heritage in perpetuity.
To commemorate the celebration of the 100th Anniversary in 2010 of the Boy Scouts of America, Henry Repeating Arms announced the release of its Henry Golden Boy “Boy Scouts of America Centennial Edition” licensed rifle. To mark this milestone, this special rifle features the Scout Oath, Scouts Law, scrollwork and traditional Boy Scouts of America logo embellishing the receiver, as well as a 100 Years of Scouting logo and Centennial Edition gold filled etchings in the buttstock and forearm.
For more information on Henry Repeating Arms products, visit their website at www.henryrepeating.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced that O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. has generously donated all of the shotguns requested in support of designated priority youth shooting sports programs.
Mossberg, the leader in introducing important design breakthroughs to the firearm industry since 1919, donated three Mossberg 500® 12ga.shotguns and two Mossberg 500® 20ga. shotguns to the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Omaha, NE; five Mossberg 500® 20ga. shotguns to the Crater Lake Council, BSA, Central Point, OR; and five Mossberg 500® 20ga. shotguns to the Michigan District of the Royal Rangers. These priority programs were among those selected by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer’s National Assessment of Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs conducted by YSSA.
The Mid-America Council plans to develop a complete shooting sports program at Little Sioux Scout Ranch and will use Mossberg’s donation in conjunction with a new trap range. The Crater Lake Council will use Mossberg’s donation to offer a quality shooting sports program at their new shotgun range at Camp Makualla. The Michigan District of the Royal Rangers will use Mossberg’s donation in conjunction with a transportable skeet range constructed at Lost Valley Bible Camp in Gaylord, MI.
Mossberg's products are built to world-class levels of manufacturing standards and Mossberg's 500® pump-action shotguns offer an amazing amount of gun for an unbeatable price. For more information on the full line of products from O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., visit their website at www.mossberg.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced that Delta Sports Products, LLC has generously donated all of the archery round targets and easel stands requested in support of designated priority youth shooting sports programs.
Delta Sports Products, the leader in archery products, donated five Arrowstop 32” round targets and target easel stands to both the Blue Grass Council, Boy Scouts of America, Lexington, KY and the Tukabatchee Area Council, BSA, Montgomery, AL and six targets and stands to the Mobile Area Council, BSA, Mobile, AL.
These priority programs were among those selected by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer’s National Assessment of Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs conducted by YSSA.
The Blue Grass Council is developing a shooting sports field equipped with an archery field. Development of this field and acquisition of the necessary equipment is projected to increase shooting sports activities three-fold. The Mobile Area Council will use Delta’s donation in support of activities at Camp Challenge – a Scout Outreach program serving 900 “at-risk” Scouts. The Tukabatchee Area Council will use Delta’s targets in support of their Summer Camp Shooting Sports Program which attracts 600 Scouts pursuing their archery merit badge.
Delta offers a full line of targets for archery enthusiasts, bowhunters, amateur competitors and professional archers. At Delta, you will find innovative, professional quality products, at economical prices.
For more information on the full line of products from Delta Targets, visit their website at www.deltatargets.net.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced that Savage Sports Corporation has generously donated all of the rifles requested in support of designated priority youth shooting sports programs. BowTech, a subsidiary of Savage Sports Corp., also donated compound bows in support of a Navy JROTC unit in North Carolina.
Savage Sports Corporation, the largest rifle manufacturer in the United States, donated five youth model .22 caliber rifles to the Mobile Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Mobile, AL; nine youth model .22 caliber rifles to the Narragansett Council, BSA, East Providence, RI; six youth model .22 caliber rifles to the Crater Lake Council, BSA, Central Point, OR; and ten youth model .22’s to the Mid-America Council, BSA, Omaha, NE. BowTech donated four compound bows in support of the Eugene Ashley High School NJROTC unit, Wilmington, NC.
These priority programs were among those selected by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer’s National Assessment of Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs conducted by YSSA.
Savage also provided twelve .22 rifles for the Cheshire County Fish and Game Club in Keene N.H. to be used for their NRA Women on Target clinics and youth programs.
Ron Coburn, Chairman and CEO as well as a longtime supporter of youth programs, said “Our part is relatively easy—we provide the tools while dedicated instructors give their personal time and energy to insure safe and fun youth shooting experiences”
Savage Sports Corporation is a privately held company consisting of three divisions:
• Savage Arms is a leading manufacturer of center-fire rifles, located in Westfield, MA.
• Savage (Canada) manufactures rim-fire rifles in Lakefield, Ontario.
• Savage Range Systems/Porta Target, also based in Westfield, MA, manufactures indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, target systems and shoot houses.
BowTech, the largest bow company in the world, manufactures and distributes the industry’s finest compound bows and archery equipment. BowTech’s corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located on the outskirts of Eugene, OR. BowTech divisions include BowTech and Diamond Archery, Stryker Crossbows and WaterDog Surface Technologies with a worldwide dealer and distributor network.
For more information on the full line of Savage firearms, visit their website at www.savagearms.com.
For information on BowTech products, visit their website at www.BowTechArchery.com or www.Diamondarchery.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) partnership with Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter, provides much needed support to priority youth shooting sports programs around the country. Recently, Cabela’s has generously donated a variety of Cabela’s private-label equipment to promote the shooting sports heritage.
“Cabela’s is proud to partner with the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance in their efforts to support successful and safe shooting programs for America’s young people.” said Dennis Highby, president and CEO of Cabela’s. “Protecting and promoting the sporting heritage is just one way we give back to the outdoor community.”
Cabela’s donated gun storage cases to the Mobile Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Mobile, AL; a 16-gun capacity double door cabinet, shooting glasses and firearm cleaning kits to the Tukabatchee Area Council, BSA, Montgomery, AL; and scoped rifle cases and leather shooting gloves to the Western Alamance High Scholl JROTC unit, Elon, NC.
These priority programs were among those selected by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer’s National Assessment of Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs conducted by YSSA.
Al Arrington, District Executive for the Tukabatchee Area Council as well as the Shooting Sports Director at Camp Tukabatchee, said “Please convey our thanks to Cabela’s for their generosity in providing the necessary equipment to run our shooting sports program.” Cary Wilson, Mobile Area Council, BSA added “The equipment donated by Cabela’s contributes to upgrading our shooting sports program. The Scouts benefit from the new equipment and, in the long run, Cabela’s assistance will help to increase participation and add new shooters.”
For more information on Cabela’s products, or to find out more about their support of the tradition of outdoor sports, visit their Web site at www.cabelas.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced that Traditions Performance Firearms, Old Saybrook, CT, has generously donated a complete set of muzzleloading rifles to the Louisiana District of the Royal Rangers to meet the needs of their expanding youth shooting program in their state. Traditions Performance Firearms has been a long-time supporter of youth shooting safety and youth shooting sports programs. The staff at Traditions all enjoy hunting as a part of life and support groups like Hunter’s Education, 4-H, Boy Scouts and all the wildlife conservation organizations. The Louisiana District of the Royal Rangers was selected as one of the priority youth shooting sports programs by a panel of industry reviewers working in concert with the YSSA. The industry panel was impressed by the Royal Rangers’ vision of expanding their program into new shooting disciplines -- especially muzzleloaders.
Traditions Performance Firearms responded by providing nearly every type of muzzleloading rifle on the market today to meet their needs. Included among the donated rifles were a youth model Yukon drop breech action muzzleloader – the next generation of muzzleloading rifles; a youth Pursuit LT break-open muzzleloader with its compact length for smaller-framed shooters; two Thunder Bolt muzzleloaders; and a Deerhunter muzzleloader in percussion.David L. Craun, District Commander of the Louisiana Royal Rangers, said “We started a program to teach black powder safety, but were limited in developing a complete program because of our reliance on using borrowed muzzleloaders from volunteers. We thank Traditions so much for their dedication to shooting sports. Their assistance is a great blessing to our organization.”
For more information on Tradition Performance Firearms products, visit their website at www.traditionsfirearms.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced an exciting partnership with Legacy Sports International, "the most trusted name in the shooting industry," in support of YSSA and youth shooting sports programs nationwide.Legacy Sports International will donate $5.00 to YSSA for each youth firearm sold throughout 2008. The firearms involved include all 10 models of Howa youth rifles; 2 models of Escort youth 20 ga. semi-auto shotguns; and 2 models of Escort youth 20 ga. pump shotguns.Legacy is also offering a PROplan for qualified youth instructors on all of their Legacy line in support of their programs. Legacy offers an extremely significant savings to youth leaders who are welcomed and encouraged to contact Legacy for details and forms at (775) 828-0555."We here at Legacy Sports are excited about assisting the YSSA. The YSSA's success is ALL of our industry's success!" said Andy McCormick, VP/Marketing & Sales for Legacy Sports International. "All of our distributors and dealers will be made aware of this partnership as well as all of our media contacts from TV, radio, print and web." For more information on Legacy Sports International, visit their website at www.legacysports.com.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) recently announced that Daisy Outdoor Products, the world's oldest and largest producer of airguns, has established a generous product account donation from which the YSSA can supply BB-guns, air rifles and related equipment.
Daisy has been a long-time supporter of youth shooting safety and youth shooting sports programs. The company recognizes the impact that the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) is going to have on enabling even more organizations to introduce young and first-time shooters safely to airguns and to all disciplines of the shooting sports. For 2008, Daisy established a product donation account to be used by YSSA to establish new programs and enhance the effectiveness of existing airgun programs, especially where financial need is a factor.
"YSSA is doing a tremendous job of identifying, assessing and prioritizing needs. They are matching up donors who want to perpetuate the shooting sports with organizations which have a passion for youth shooting programs but may lack the finances to acquire the equipment," said Joe Murfin, Vice President of Marketing for Daisy and a member of the YSSA board of directors. "By making this product fund available to YSSA, they now have the ability to immediately fulfill some of their grant requests for airguns."
"Some of those shooting sports programs benefiting from YSSA grants and Daisy's generosity include the Blue Grass Council, Boy Scouts of America, Lexington, KY; Eugene Ashley High School Navy JROTC unit, Wilmington, NC; Mobile Area Council, BSA, Mobile, AL; Buffalo Trail Council, BSA, Midland, TX; Blue Ridge Council, BSA, Greenville, SC; Laurens District 55 High School NJROTC unit, Laurens, SC; Crater Lake Council, BSA, Central Point, OR; and the Louisiana Royal Rangers, Alexandria, LA."
These priority programs were among those selected by an industry panel convened to review proposals submitted by youth organizations in response to last summer's National Assessment of Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs conducted by YSSA.CDR John Lancaster, Laurens District 55 High School NJROTC unit, said "The rifle team is thrilled with the Avanti 887 Gold Medalist Competition rifles that we've received as a result of our application to YSSA; enabling us to expand out team."Rick Burr, Council Executive, Crater Lake Council, BSA, states "We will use the new Daisy BB-guns we've received through YSSA to improve our shooting sports programs which are so vital to the success of our Scouting Programs."The Blue Grass Council, BSA will use their new BB-guns in conjunction with the development of a shooting sports field equipped with a BB-gun range. Matt Roberts, Field Director, expressed the Council's appreciation to Daisy for their future and past support of shooting programs and to YSSA for recognizing their need and fulfilling their grant request.
The Emsley A. Laney High School AFJROTC unit will use their new Avanti 853 Legend Competition rifles and pellet traps in support of their recent designation as one of a handful of Air Force JROTC units to establish marksmanship programs for their cadets.
The Mobile Area Council, BSA is grateful to YSSA for their grant program and to Daisy for their generosity and plans to use their new BB-guns in support of their expanding Scoutreach program that serves at risk low income Scouts in their service area.
The Buffalo Trail Council, BSA, expressed their appreciation to YSSA for their new Daisy Model 845 Mentor air rifles in support of their shooting sports program at Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. The Ranch accommodated nearly 4,000 Scouts in 2007.
For more information on Daisy products, visit their website at www.daisy.com.