2014 Buckeye Firearms Foundation Youth Shoot offers fun for all involved

Dillon Sportsman Center was host to yet another great opportunity for youth this month. The two-day Buckeye Firearms Foundation Youth Shoot was held the weekend of September 13-14 and hosted over 100 youth from around the state.

The concept of a youth shoot event started five years ago when the leaders of two Boy Scout troops wanted to give their youth an opportunity to earn their shooting sports merit badges outside of the summer camp environment.

With the help of others, Aaron Kirkingburg, one of the Scout leaders and a Buckeye Firearms Association volunteer, planned the event and applied for a $500.00 grant from Step Outside Ohio. The first event hosted around 30 youth and was a huge success. Seeing an interest for future events, Mr. Kirkingburg realized that this could easily become an opportunity for Ohio's youth to develop a passion for shooting sports and chose to make it an annual event.

In 2011, after seeing continued interest in the program, the event was sponsored by the Buckeye Firearms Foundation. With the combination of both BFF support and the Ohio grant, Mr. Kirkingburg was able to enhance this program by increasing participation and including education, trophies, ammunition, patches and certificates. Youth and adults alike were able to obtain classroom training. Kids also got to work on NRA marksmanship qualifications.

What started out as an opportunity for Scouts to earn merit badges quickly grew into an activity that everyone could enjoy. Although this event is no longer Scout-specific, Boy Scouts still have access to registered merit badge counselors for shooting sports and can meet almost all requirements over the weekend.

The Buckeye Firearms Foundation Youth Shoot is held each year in the fall. Registration for the event begins March 1st of that year and sells out quickly, as space is limited. The cost of the event is $5.00 per youth and adults who are there to supervise are admitted free of charge. It is open to the public as well as all youth organizations. The youth shoot provides over 15 Certified Range Safety Officers and shooting coaches who supervise the youth, give instruction and help them to achieve their goals for the weekend. Youth will be assessed as to their experience level so that they work with the right instructors and become safe shooters who are proficient in their skills. With a rifle range, pistol range and skeet/trap fields outfitted with automated clay throwers, your youth are guaranteed to have an experience that will last a lifetime!

When you come to the event, you may stay for the day or choose to participate the entire weekend. There is primitive camping available on site or families may also stay at the nearby Dillon State Park which offers an array of activities for outdoor adventure as well as camping sites and cabins.

This year, as a bonus, the youth and their families had the honor of being entertained by and participating with the Blackhand Raiders, the Sportsmans Center's local S.A.S.S. chapter (Single Action Shooting Society) an international organization who’s passion focuses on the preservation and promotion of the Western gun slinging days of the cowboy!

Registration for this event is done online only. To learn more about this event and to register, you may go to www.buckeyefirearms.org and visit the Events page. Come on out to Dillon Sportsman Center and see just how much fun your family can have together. For more Information about the range, visit www.dillonsportsmancenter.com.

If you have a facility that can host a similar event in your area, and would like more information about making that happen, contact [email protected].

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