SSSF Staff, Author at Scholastic Clay Target Program

SSSF Donates Over $1.4M to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Accounts

Written on January 18, 2017.

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) recently donated $98,500 to Team Endowment Accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation to complete all 2016 donations. Last year the SSSF donated over $1.4 million to benefit 244 teams participating in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across 35 different states.

The SSSF plans to donate over $1.5 million in 2017 to participating SCTP and SASP Team Endowment accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation.

The SSSF provides SCTP and SASP member-teams the opportunity to earn MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account funds through placements in SSSF-sponsored competitions and by participating in SCTP and SASP fundraising activities benefiting local shooting sports communities. Please contact the SSSF for more information on how your shooting team can participate in 2017.

The donations from SSSF to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Accounts established to benefit SCTP and SASP member-teams are made possible, in part, by grants to the SSSF from the Tulsa Community Foundation Youth Shooting Fund established and funded by the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

The Team Endowment Account Program at the MidwayUSA Foundation gives a community the ability to financially support a competitive youth shooting sports program or financially assist in the start-up of a new youth shooting sports program. The team can then request a grant of up to 5% of their endowment account balance once each year, in either December or June, to pay for team expenses. There are no fees associated with a MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account.

About MidwayUSA Foundation

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain the shooting sports industry by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is 100% tax deductible and supports the mission to help communities and organizations raise funds to support their youth shooting team.

For more information about the MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc., please visit www.midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

Stop by SCTP Booth at Fishing & Hunting Expo For Chance to Win Gun

Written on January 4, 2017.

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.

Check Out “Inside SSSF” Newsletter for a 2016 Year in Review

Written on January 3, 2017.

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.

Coaches Earn Credentials During the Wisconsin NRA Level 1 Coaches Class

Written on February 10, 2016.

Nineteen coaches earned their NRA coaching credentials during the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Level 1 Coaches Class hosted by the Daniel Boone Conservation League in Wisconsin on February 6-7, 2016. The Shooting Coach Program is a cooperative effort of the NRA, USA Shooting, and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. The NRA Level 1 Pistol Coaches Class now includes action shooting as one of the disciplines. The Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) is the model for action shooting.

The additional coaches were needed to address the huge growth several of the Wisconsin teams have experienced since last year. One team actually has grown from 15 last year to 50 this year and that growth was seen even before the new rifle program was announced. Congratulations new coaches and good luck on a successful season with your athletes.

The next pistol coaches’ class on the schedule is in Plymouth, Michigan, April 2 & 3, 2016. Are you looking to host a coaches’ class in your area? Contact SASP Director of Development Rick Leach at rleach@sssfonline.com.

Two Ways to Support the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Pistol Program This Holiday Season

Written on November 25, 2015.

If the holiday season is bringing out your generous side, then please consider one of two ways to support the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP) this season.

#GivingTuesday
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) has joined many other nonprofit organizations in the fundraising campaign #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to jump start the holiday season and as a way to encourage people to give back to their communities and to the organizations and causes they believe in.

“This is the first year the SSSF has participated in #GivingTuesday,” Ben Berka, SSSF president and executive director, said. “We encourage those of you who want to show support for our youth shooting sports programs to donate to the SCTP and the SPP on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. Your donations help fund our programs, which enhance the growth and personal development of student athletes throughout the nation.”

Those interested in donating to the SSSF may go to https://sssfonline.org/donate/ to view giving options and make a secure, online donation. The SSSF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Contributions are tax-deductible.

AmazonSmile
With the holiday shopping season upon us, many of you will no doubt be shopping on Amazon.com, the website where you can buy everything from books and music, to electronics, to automobile tires. Without spending another cent, you can support the SCTP and SPP with your Amazon purchases. When you log onto Amazon through a special link, smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase price to the SSSF — at no extra cost to you. Use this special link to shop and support the SSSF!

Changes To 2015-2016 SPP And SCTP Handbooks

Written on October 8, 2015.

As well all well know, with growth and development often comes change…and the SSSF is not exempt from that process. So along with the new year of competition, there are several new items to review in both the official SPP and the SCTP handbooks.

Tammy Mowry, program director of the SPP, mentions that there are some “big” changes to make note of in the updated 2015-2016 SPP document. Some of the highlights include updates in the section on “Grouping Athletes -Divisions” (look for the details about categories) as well as in “Team Definitions” (don’t miss the updated range commands). To read more and get caught up on all the new items, be sure to check out the update SPP handbook, here.

Tom Wondrash, national director of the SCTP, shares that there are too many changes to post each and every one. And he encourages everyone to dig in and and read the updated 2015-2016 handbook, paying special attention to the red text, which shows where recent changes have been made. To read more and get caught up on all the new SCTP items, be sure to check out the updated SCTP Handbook here.

SCTP Featured in Washington Times News Article

Written on September 22, 2015.

A recent Washington Times news piece highlighting the growth of the shooting sports among high school-aged youth boasts the accomplishments of Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) team member Lindsay Martin and acknowledges the SCTP for its valuable role in recruitment of millennials into the shooting sports. The article refers to the thousands of teens who participate in competitive shooting, saying it’s one of the fastest-growing sports for high schools in recent years.

The Washington Times interviewed Tom Wondrash, SCTP director, about the influx of youth participation in shooting sports in schools and the community. Wondrash told the publication he believes the growth is due to its inclusivity and opportunity for participation.

He’s quoted as saying, “What separates shooting sports from stick-and-ball sports is that when it’s time for our kids to go to a tournament, all the kids can compete — heavy, thin, tall, short, fast, slow, boy or girl — it doesn’t make them any different,” Mr. Wondrash said. “That’s what really lends itself to our sport.”

An Olympic hopeful, 17-year-old Martin is a member of the Dusters trapshooting team, which was established by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF). The senior at Glen Allen High School in Virginia is considered a rising star in her community. The only girl on the team, she’s becoming known as the “shotgun shooter.”

Martin says she is a fan of women learning to shoot, and she even teaches women how to fire a shotgun at her local gun range in Charles City County.

Martin is one of many youth featured in the media in recent years who are being recognized not only for their superb shooting skills, but for their positive character traits and citizenship values, which are promoted and encouraged through the SCTP and other SSSF programs.

Raise Team Funds with SKB Model 200HR Shotgun Promotion

Written on September 11, 2015.

Your SCTP or SPP team can raise operating money and endowment funds with the SKB shotgun promotion being offered by MidwayUSA Foundation. An SKB Model 200HR 28 gauge shotgun is offered to all youth shooting teams with a team endowment account.

MidwayUSA Foundation will provide a registration packet with additional details about the promotion and the information you need to sign up. Funds returned to your endowment account from this promotion will be matched.

This beautiful shotgun has a scalloped receiver with a rounded and sleek profile. The receiver, forend iron, and trigger guard are enhanced with hand-engraved scroll accents and finished with genuine bone charcoal color case-hardening. It also has a gold accented trigger. Accessories include a fitted luggage case, five thin-walled choke tubes, a choke wrench, and a trigger lock.

Your team can design its own promotion, such as a raffle, to raise funds with the shotgun.

See the promotional flyer for more information.

Potterfields Donate Over $200,000 to MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Program

Written on September 11, 2015.

Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, recently donated $205,342 to the MidwayUSA Foundation to benefit youth shooting sports, including SCTP and SPP teams. This donation stems from the matching program offered by the MidwayUSA Foundation. Donors have the ability to choose the shooting team that will benefit from their donation, and Larry and Brenda Potterfield match that donation.

Along with the matching program, the MidwayUSA Foundation offers its active teams promotional items to use as fundraisers. Larry and Brenda Potterfield also match proceeds generated from these promotions and returned to a team’s respective endowment account.

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a public charity working to sustain the shooting sports industry by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Shooting teams with a Team Endowment Account can draw 5% of their account balance each year to use for team expenses. The funds are used for ammunition, uniforms, entry fees, travel costs and more.

For more information about the MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc., visit www.midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

See, Download & Share Photos from 2015 Nationals

Written on September 6, 2015.

Our collection of photos from the SCTP-SPP National Team Championships in Sparta and SCTP National Championships for International Disciplines in Colorado Springs have now been assembled on our Flickr page and are available for you to view, download, print, and share.

Click here to see our 2015 Nationals photos on Flickr

Even if you haven’t used Flickr before, you’ll probably find it pretty intuitive once you poke around a bit. However, here are a few notes to speed up the learning curve:

With any image opened, look for these icons in the lower right corner:

If you wish to download the image, click on the icon on the right, the “down” arrow. What you’re seeing on the page will usually be a much smaller version of the image, with several larger sizes available to be downloaded. You’ll see some options:

Just choose what you want. For a social media icon – or postage stamp – you might choose the 150×150 option. For a large print, go with the largest available size. To submit to your newspaper, download the largest available size to allow them to re-size it as needed.

If you want to share the image in social media, click on the center icon, the “right” arrow, and again you’ll have options and some choices to make:

For most purposes, such as sharing on Facebook or Twitter, you’ll need to select “Link” as the Code option. If you want to embed the photo into your blog or website, you can choose “HTML.” When that is the case, you will also have a choice of sizes.

If you choose to share images on social media (yes, do!), please continue to use the event hashtag, #SSSF2015.

Author: SSSF Staff