Reduced Rates for Youth Shooters at the 2013 Southern SxS

[Chris Dunlap]

All,

I posted this on the LCSCA Forum and figured I would post it here as well. As an update to my original post which is below, I have already received a confirmation from several vendors who were gracious enough to donate some special prizes for the youngsters.

Posted on LCSCA Forum:

Last year I approached Bill Kempffer at Deep River about offering a youth division in the American Classics at a reduced rate. I believe there are parents / grandparents who attend the Southern SxS but are hesitant to bring their youngster along due to the costs associated. If a kid has never shot a round of sporting clays then it doesn't make sense to pay the $50 entry fee plus the cost of ammunition, when he/she may only break 10-15 targets out of the 50 bird course.

I received an email from Mr. Kempffer today stating that there will be a reduction in the rates for youth shooters competing in the American Classics as well as the Main Event.

I am also working with several of the vendors that will be in attendance to sponsor some unique prizes for the winners of the youth categories.

Last year was the first time my son (9 years old at the time) attended the Southern SxS with me. He had a blast all weekend long and I enjoyed having him with me at this great event.

I encourage all of you to bring your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter with you this year. They are not only the future of this organization, but also of our shooting sports.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Good work!

That's one of the draw backs of the Southern, the cost of the shooting part is high as a cat's back.

DLH

[Eric Eis]

Good work!

That's one of the draw backs of the Southern, the cost of the shooting part is high as a cat's back.

DLH

Be nice if Bill could figure out a way to charge a normal fee for the course ($14-$20) for the youth division We are trying to interest the younger generation

[Dick Miller]

Thought I'd bring this back to the top, along with a suggestion.
As we all realize, the future of our sport and our respective organizations rest on the youth, and insuring enthusiasm among them should be a priority. Chris' efforts to provide awards to youth participants and Bill Kempffer's contribution go a long way toward drawing more youth into our sport and insure that all stations on the Dove Field are occupied with the next generation shooting our guns long after we are gone !
A suggestion--- even though several vendors have offered prizes to youth participants, may I suggest that we. as individuals, consider a cash donation to purchase--say-- Gift Certificates from the Pro Shop for youth participants? Two things are accomplished---- all receive something of value, and Bill kempffer is rewarded for his generosity !
If this idea has merit with you, please contact Chris (christopher.g.dunlap@gmail.com ) and advise him of your expected donation.
See you soon !

[Chris Dunlap]

Wanted to bring this back to the top. As Dick said, if you would like to make a cash donation, which I will then use to purchase some additional prizes for the youth shooters then please let me know so that I can plan accordingly.

Additionally, if you would like to make a cash donation to sponsor a youth shooter's Challenge Cup Qualification Rounds please let me know as well. My email is: christopher.g.dunlap@gmail.com

Thanks and see you in Sanford!

[Ed Blake]

What is the youth rate for the sporting clays course?

[Chris Dunlap]

The rate for the youth shooters (17 & under) on the American Classics is $30.

[Chris Dunlap]

All,

I am trying to get a head count on the number of youth shooters (age 17 & under) that will be in attendance at the Southern for both Parker and L.C. Smith. I have some very cool prizes lined up for the top three finishers on the American Classics and on the 5-Stand Qualification Rounds. If you have a youngster that will be attending please email me at christopher.g.dunlap@gmail.com so I can add them to my list.

[Chris Dunlap]

Wanted to bring this back to the top. I have received four names thus far.

Bill Kempffer has been kind enough to allow a discounted rate on the Sporting Clays and several vendors have donated several hundred dollars worth of prizes. A few members have contributed several hundred dollars to the cause to buy even more prizes.

We really need to have a good showing of youth shooters to keep this going. Please email me your youth shooter's name and what they will be shooting so I can add it to my list.

My email is christopher.g.dunlap@gmail.com
Thanks

[John Campbell]

While I sincerely enjoy the Southern, and realize the objective of the good PGCA membership in promoting youth involvement, I really do not think that a discounted rate of $30 is much of an incentive.
Especially in the present fervor to legislate against guns and gun ownership.

What about anyone under the age of 18 shoots FREE?
While prizes are fine, it is the experience of shooting that hooks most young people. After that, they most often become disciples.
I say get as many as we can into the game. Now.

[Chris Dunlap]

John,

The Southern SxS is Bill Kempffer's largest single money making weekend of the year. He was kind enough to knock $20 off of the price for the youth shooters. You have to remember that he is in business to stay in business. He has targets to pay for, trappers to pay, machines to maintain, etc. I can assure you that Bill is not making money off of these kids. I run the Sporting Clays Tournaments for my gun club here in Georgia. There is not a lot of profit margin in a 50 bird course that is a "fun shoot". It would be nice if he could offer free Sporting Clays to the youth, but you have to look at it from a business perspective as well.

I'm not sure just what the PGCA is doing to promote youth involvment in our sport. I am the Membership Chairman for the LCSCA. I approched Bill K. about this idea last year at the Southern and he was gracious enough to make it happen this year. When he first informed me about the discount, I sent an email to both Bill Mullins (PGCA President) and to Frank Finch (LCSCA Executive Director). I have yet to receive any type of reply from Bill Mullins and I have yet to see anyone from the PGCA Leadership post about it on this forum. I posted it on the LCSCA Forum and decided to put it over here as well in the interest of attracting some of your club's youth shooters.

As for the prizes, currently the only youth prizes are the "High-Junior" on the Five Stand and the High Junior on the American Classics, both of which are trophies. I decided to solicit additional prizes from a few of the vendors and they have really stepped up and donated some first rate prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place on both the Five Stand and the American Classics. Trophies are great to look at for the first two or three weeks, but then they just sit on a shelf and collect dust. My goal was to award prizes to the kids that they can actually use and each time they do they will remember where they came from.

The bottom line is a $20 discount is better than no discount at all. I think we should all be gratefull for what Bill has offered and quit looking for a free handout.

[Larry Frey]

Hi Chris
I applaud your efforts, as well as those of Bill Kempferr and all the venders who have donated prizes in an effort to attract more youth shooters to this wonderful event.

To answer your question as to what the PGCA has done to promote youth involvement in our sport I will say that we have been going at this in a couple of different directions. First, we have had many of our members donate a youth membership so that any interested youth’s will be granted a free youth membership in the Parker Gun Collectors Association. The PGCA has also have made significant monetary contributions specifically earmarked for the “hunter education” and “youth shooting” programs of both the NRA and Pheasants Forever believing these larger organizations can have a much greater effect. Also we have been trying to get a motivated PGCA member to chair our Youth Program and move forward some of the good ideas that have been suggested and have board approval but have not yet found the right individual.

I think a lot of the members from both our fine organizations would be willing to throw a few bucks in a can to help offset or eliminate the shooting cost of the youths in attendance at the Southern and would suggest we have a place on our table next to the registration for the Challenge event just for that purpose. If you have any other idea's you would like to discuss please feel free to PM me on this site or shoot me an email at bjfrey1@aol.com. Thanks, Larry Frey

[Thomas Garver]

Ditto on Larry's remarks. Bill has already stepped up for our youth by offering a discount and I'm sure that there are many of us who can afford to sponsor the remainder. I'm for throwing money in the can or sponsoring one youth myself. Thanks to Bill and Chris.

[Bill Mullins]

Chris, first let me just say for whatever reason I never received an email from you---do not know why but possibly sent to incorrect address.
Larry Frey's posting/reply pretty much sums up what the PGCA is and has been doing for the youth program. Bill Kempfer and I discussed a "discounted rate" last October at his Backwoods Quail Fall event for this upcoming Spring event. Therefore, I believe the idea was possibly "born" at that time. The PGCA is and will continue to promote youth activities and is willing to assist the LCSCA efforts along these collective goals.
Thank you for taking the lead in this area.
Bill

[Chris Dunlap]

Chris, first let me just say for whatever reason I never received an email from you---do not know why but possibly sent to incorrect address.
Larry Frey's posting/reply pretty much sums up what the PGCA is and has been doing for the youth program. Bill Kempfer and I discussed a "discounted rate" last October at his Backwoods Quail Fall event for this upcoming Spring event. Therefore, I believe the idea was possibly "born" at that time. The PGCA is and will continue to promote youth activities and is willing to assist the LCSCA efforts along these collective goals.
Thank you for taking the lead in this area.
Bill

Bill,

I spoke with Bill about a month prior to the Spring Southern SxS last year. He told me then that it was too late in the game to get that done for the 2012 Spring Southern, but would add it to the list of discussions for the Spring Southern this year. Perhaps your discussion with him at the 2012 Fall Southern reminded him about our conversation last March.

I did not mean to infer that the PGCA wasn't doing anything to promote youth shooting and involvement. I was not aware of what your club was doing, and the lack of any replies when I initially posted this and a lack of your reply to my email left some doubt. I sent the email to the one listed on your website (bmullins@cbww.com).

[David Holes]

Chris, its only a 40.00 membership fee to this fine organizatiion, The last several years have brought me great enjoyment. The PGCA members have been the best. Honorable, quick to help each other, and a great learning exp. Thanks to all the PGCA members. Dave

[Larry Frey]

Bill,

I sent the email to the one listed on your website (bmullins@cbww.com).

Chris,
Bill's email has been changed for some time. In the future try billmullins42@gmail.com.