Understanding the parallels between shotgun shooting sports and waterfowl hunting, Ducks Unlimited has signed on as a Bronze-Level Sponsor of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP).
“A large segment of our adult volunteers, families, and even youth athletes enjoy participating in hunting activities,” said SCTP National Director, Tom Wondrash. “Being partial to shotguns, we see a large number of our members enthusiastically throw on the waders for waterfowl season. We are confident that this partnership promotes both youth shooting sports and participation in hunting/conservation. Clay targets were originally designed for hunters to hone their skills in the hunting off-season and we welcome any young hunters involved with Ducks Unlimited to come give our team-based shotgun sports a try.”
“It is a privilege to begin this partnership with the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) for the upcoming season,” said Mark Horobetz, Manager of Youth & Education programs for Ducks Unlimited. “Ducks Unlimited is committed to preserving the natural resources we cherish and use daily for a variety of outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and shooting sports. Our goal is to provide assistance across the country for youth shooters and their coaches using a multi-facet approach.”
“Ducks Unlimited understands the importance of youth shooting sports to the future of conservation, and the investment parents and teams make to participate,” said Justin Aycock, Region 7 Youth & Education Coordinator for Ducks Unlimited. “As part of our multi-facet approach to youth shooting sports, Ducks Unlimited launched the Team Resource Assistance Program (T.R.A.P.) this fall to provide youth shooing teams with fundraising opportunities. This program provides teams with DU’s expertise in fundraising, marketing, and buying power to efficiently fundraise for the upcoming season.”
Makayla Scott’s incredible achievements on the field include Team CZ-USA Shotgun Ambassador and Guinness World Record Holder…. but her introduction as a Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) athlete came from a simple desire. To go to college.
Makayla had tried every sport imaginable growing up but never found the right fit. Like any parent, Telford Scott found it difficult to watch his adopted daughter not find success. The list of activities that Makayla tried did not provide what she needed to grow as a person and athlete. That list grew long. “Makayla had it rough growing up and unfortunately didn’t get to come into my life until she was nine,” sighed Mr. Scott. “I couldn’t find anything to get her out of her shell.”
It is a common theme in the “ball sports” to see young participants fall victim to favoritism, parent-coach politics, and even neglected athletes viewing most of the season from the cold, uncomfortable bench. This is not something that young shooting sports athletes encounter in the SCTP and SASP, where there is no such thing as being benched.
Makayla’s life was about to take an incredible turn, in an unlikely sport. Her father took her to shoot clays and everything changed.
The young home schooler from West Virginia was introduced to shotgun shooting sports as a simple family outing. Taking to it like a moth to a flame, Makayla’s father knew something special was happening for her. At the age of 12, he helped her sign up for the local 4-H league and she quickly excelled both on and off the field. The more clays she broke, the more self-confidence she gained. The more social interaction with fellow teammates and competitors she experienced, the more outgoing she became.
Makayla and her father, Telford Scott
The young shooting sports athlete discovered the SCTP three years later, after qualifying for the Junior Olympics. Fellow competitors praised the program and described the many opportunities provided, such as college recruitment and being the official feeder program to USA Shooting. “This program was basically everything I wanted for my future,” reflected Makayla. “The closest SCTP team I could find was the North Carolina Clays, which was hours away, but completely worth it.”
Continuing to thrive, Makayla found the attention and support from SCTP sponsors along her journey such as CZ-USA. “The gun I started off with didn’t fit right and was beating me up,” said Makayla. “David Miller from CZ introduced himself and took me out to the range with a demo gun. I shot 25 straight in trap the first time I picked up that gun and it taught me a lot about proper gun fitment!”
Makayla’s growth in the sport and as a person was evident to all of those around her, but especially so by her father. “We tried every sport you could think of but for Makayla, the shotgun changed her life. The change in her and her outlook on life has been incredible to watch. When she started 4-H shooting sports at 12 years old, she couldn’t spell her name at registration and now she is a writer for Women’s Outdoor News! In 2019, she was the Ladies Doubles Skeet Champion at SCTP Nationals, where she also qualified for participating in the Guinness Record attempt of a team of five breaking the most clays in 12 hours,” beamed Mr. Scott. When asked about the record, Makayla said, “I had never been more nervous about anything in my entire life. It was a huge, huge honor. It took twelve hours of shooting and yes, we took breaks every 45 minutes.” Over 14,167 clays were broken in those 12 hours by the team consisting of Makayla, Jessica Strasser, Levi Henrichs, Weston Zolck and David Miller.
Makayla and her father embrace shortly after the Guinness record was broken
Makayla with the Guiness World Record official certificate
Levi Henrichs, Weston Zolck, David Miller, Makayla Scott, Jessica Strasser
Currently only a year into her SCTP journey, Makayla wants to give back to the community. Knowing what they know now, the daughter-father duo have created the first West Virginia SCTP team, the Mountaineer Clay Crushers. Teaming up with supporters like MEC, the Mountaineer Clay Crushers have built the “Field Of Dreams”, a practice skeet and trap field for the new SCTP team in the state. “Everywhere we went, she’s the only kid from West Virginia,” said Mr. Scott. “We are trying to give the kids in West Virginia a chance to try this sport and see what it can do for them. There’s so many more opportunities in the SCTP than other programs. If young shotgun shooting athletes have hopes of going to college and getting scholarships, this is where the need to be.”
“What I love about SCTP is solely focused about the youth,” said Makayla. “The SCTP is focused on kids reaching their dreams and setting them up for a good future. That’s what they did for me and they’re doing that for every other kid like me that have big dreams. The team aspect is a plus and it’s on a nation-wide level. I want to use my success as my stage to reach others. I want to show kids, and even adults, in my shoes or worse, that you do not have to let your past define you. You can break the chains holding you back and be the best you’ll ever be. Sharing the youth shooting sports is something that is extremely, extremely important because it made a huge impact on my life.”
The Scott family is an example of what incredible things can be accomplished in the world of youth shooting sports. Within their first year in the SCTP, the Scott family built their dream field, started a team, and brought home six individual medals back from Nationals. Not long after being interviewed, Makayla Scott took another step forward by signing as a founding member of Montreat College’s Clay Target Shooting Team.
The SCTP ran the coveted National Championships in July at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio with a new twist: the International National Championships were included. Normally an eight-day event, the SCTP National Championships became a ten-day event with the addition and start of the International disciplines of International Skeet and Bunker Trap. Overall, 220 athletes took part in the newest addition of competition to the Cardinal Center.
“This has been a dream and project of mine personally for about 3-4 years,” said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “We have worked very hard with Cardinal Center staff to come up with a plan, with Promatic and Larry & Brenda Potterfield to assist us with the funding and support and had even raised funds ourselves to help with the purchase of 4 Bunker Fields and equipment! Having a facility that can house all our needs was essential and the savings to families and teams of less travel and time off work will make a huge impact going forward. We can’t thank everyone enough including Winchester, the official ammunition of the SCTP/SCTP International Team for their support and making the dream come true!”
As the Official Ammo of the SCTP, Winchester has gone above and beyond with SCTP-branded packaging on shelves near you soon! We love seeing our sponsors so passionately support our program and spread awareness to the masses!
Since the completion of the newest international range in the country, the Cardinal Center has announced that they will also be adding an additional bunker trap field to be completed by the 2021 SCTP National Championships, bringing the total fields on site to five.
“We couldn’t be prouder to add this opportunity to the Cardinal Centers shooting venue,” said Luke Spengler, Cardinal Centers Trap manager. “We feel that this will greatly strengthen the International Shooting sports as a whole and are very excited to support the SCTP’s mission and dedication to the shooting sports. Creating these opportunities is what this is all about, we commend Tom and his staff & supporters for the hard work they have put into making this happen!”
The 4-day International portion of the National Championships is in the books and 15 new athletes have been named to the 2020/2021 SCTP International Team! These athletes come from 8 states and over half of those athletes coming from Arizona and Wisconsin (4 each).
“These athletes worked hard,” said Terri DeWitt, SCTP International Team Head Coach, and former Olympian. “Many of them had very little to no training due to the pandemic and had to travel a long way just to participate. What an awesome opportunity for these athletes, I look forward to the many years of competitions and camps we will host here, and calling the Cardinal Center “home” of the SCTP International Team is just a bonus! We could not have gotten through the long competition days without the generous support and effort of all of our volunteers. This was truly a team effort and it showed in the tremendous amount of success we had in the execution of this inaugural International Championships!”
The SCTP would like to congratulate the following athletes for their performance last month and for making the 2020/2021 SCTP International Team!
Pictured: Top 3 Women from the Bunker Trap Finals
SCTP International Team, Bunker Trap Women: Aiko Coloso – Florida Taylor Dale – Wisconsin Sydney Krieger – Arizona Loretta Christian – Arizona
Pictured: Top 3 Men from the Bunker Trap Finals
SCTP International Team, Bunker Trap Men: Logan Samson – Alaska Tristan Schroeder – Michigan Matthew Killeen – Arizona
Pictured: Top 3 Women from the International Skeet Finals with SCTP International Team Head Coach, Terri DeWitt
SCTP International Team, Skeet Women: Erin Lokke – Minnesota Sarah Schwacher – Wisconsin Phoebe Smith – Tennessee Madeline Corbin – Wisconsin
Pictured: Top 3 Men from the International Skeet Finals
Each year the SCTP crowns a new International Team based on finishes at its International National Championships. Next year, those dates will be July 8-11. Competition year for the team runs from September 1st – August 31st and includes several camps and competitions lead by Head Coach DeWitt. Make sure you and your team are registered with the SCTP to take advantage of this incredible opportunity of a lifetime!
Thank you SCTP college athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters who participated in the 1st annual Fall College Virtual Competition! Collegiate SCTP teams went head to head in trap and skeet events virtually from their home range. We look forward to bringing back the Fall College Virtual in 2021!
Please note that this season’s SCTP College Nationals is currently being rescheduled for Spring 2021 and we will update everyone once the details have been finalized.
In 2016 the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation launched a campaign entitled, “VISION 20/20” with the goal to grow national youth participation in the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program to over 20,000 student-athletes annually by the year 2020.
WITH THAT GOAL EASILY BEING MET AND SURPASSED, WE ARE RELAUNCHING THIS FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY AS RELOAD FOR 2021!
GETTING YOUR TEAM INVOLVED IS SIMPLE AND INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
Raise funds however your team deems most effective. This could include sending in funds from current or previous local fundraising efforts, soliciting donations with an email invitation via your team network of coaches and parents, asking local donors and/or advertising on social media.
Submit donations to SSSF either securely online or via the print-and-mail form prior to January 1, 2021. Be sure to include your SSSF team ID on ALL donations so the donations can be allocated correctly. SSSF will provide you with periodic updates about donations received for your team.
Bonus Funding Opportunity All teams participating in the Reload For 2021 campaign will have the opportunity to win BONUS team endowment funds! There are two competitions taking place:
Teams with the most dollars raised.
Teams with the most unique donors making donations via the SSSF website or print and mail form. Minimum donation is $20 to be counted as a unique donor.
For each competition, teams will be awarded team endowment funding to their MidwayUSA Foundation team endowment account as follows:
$10,000
$8,000
$5,000
$3,000
$2,500
$1,500
DONORS MAY BE SENT TO THE RELOAD FOR 2021 PAGE ON THE SSSF WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THEIR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO YOUR SCTP TEAM AND PERKS FOR THEIR SUPPORT: HTTPS://SSSFONLINE.ORG/RF2021/
The National office in conjunction with Florida Indian River Groves have put together the ultimate fundraising opportunity for you and your teams! Who doesn’t want fresh fruit especially when they can help your team raise much needed funds for this upcoming season?!
This opportunity is a no contact, no face to face, no door knocking way to help and support your team by just emailing friends, family and neighbors! 10% of all sales will come back directly to your team in the form of a check after the December 1st deadline for Christmas delivery.
The SCTP and SASP will furnish a list of prizes and places very shortly, so take the time now to register your team at the link below and we will handle the rest! Once your team is registered, it will take approximately 48-72 hours and you will be on your way to forwarding the link and website for supporters to place orders and help your team with funding!
Coaches, once you have registered your team, you will be able to set up your athletes and track their progress and total sales volume related to each athlete (salesperson)…..you can put up individual prizes and contests for your athletes as well!
We would like to thank Florida Indian River Groves for their support and help in providing this awesome
Opportunity to our teams, athletes and families!
Best of luck,
Your SCTP and SASP National Directors
To reserve a spot in our fundraising program, teams will register at this link:
To view a sample website, which shows available varieties, selling prices, etc., coaches may use this link:
(Note: This is NOT to be distributed by your membership or used for ordering. Each team will receive their very own, fully customized website, with a different link for online ordering.)
Turn entry fees into fundraising dollars with the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Hometown Challenge! This nation-wide virtual competition is open to SCTP or SASP disciplines of trap, skeet, rimfire pistol, and rimfire rifle. Teams will be able to compete at their home range and even win sweepstakes prizes such as ammo, firearms, equipment, apparel, coolers, and more!
Hometown Challenge Sweepstakes Prizes
The best part of the Hometown Challenge is that teams are encouraged to engage with and bring out members of their community to compete! All ages are eligible to compete, and each competitor’s $20 entry fee DOUBLES as a donation to your team’s endowment account! Each event entry receives 1 ticket sweepstakes and you do not have to enter the virtual competition to enter the sweepstakes.
Bring out the hometown and let’s grow those accounts!
Bettinsoli USA is proud to announce their Gold-Level Sponsorship for the Scholastic Clay Target Program for the 2020-2021 Season. “The SCTP is helping young athletes reach their potential of becoming the best athletes and young adults they can be,” said Bettinsoli USA Operating Partner, Nick Stratman. “We truly believe in their mission to provide, promote, and perpetuate opportunities for young athletes to safely and enjoyably participate in high quality, team-based sports. We believe Bettinsoli can provide a high-quality shotgun that will fit the needs of youth shooters. Bettinsoli USA looks forward to working with the SCTP to help continue to grow youth shooting sports.”
Bettinsoli shotguns are forged, rather than milled, providing durable shotguns that can take the abuse of competition, such as the Grand Prix, Omega Sport, and Overland models. Bettinsoli shotguns are available in a variety of gauges and lengths to suit the shooter. Bettinsoli provides Italian craftsmanship for the avid American shotgunner.
“We are extremely proud to have Bettinsoli’s support of the SCTP, its families and athletes!” Said Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “Bettinsoli makes high-quality shotguns at an affordable price for our athletes. Its companies like these that understand the importance of getting involved with youth organizations like the SCTP who really make a difference! We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with Nick and his crew.”
About the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is 501(c)(3) public charity responsible for all aspects of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across the United States. SCTP and SASP are youth development programs in which adult coaches and other volunteers use shooting sports to teach and to demonstrate sportsmanship, responsibility, honesty, ethics, integrity, teamwork, and other positive life skills.
This has indeed been a very strange and challenging year for all, the SCTP included! With the cancelation of many events, sports, and travel we have all had to work very hard to make things happen in a safe and healthy manner.
In spite of all the setbacks, your SCTP National Staff has worked diligently to make the most of the 2020 shooting year and are fortunate to be able to fund 100 graduating seniors at $500 each for this year’s scholarships! While we wish we could have supported each and every graduating senior, we just didn’t have the necessary funds to do this.
It is our pleasure to name these graduating seniors as recipients of a 2019/2020 SCTP Scholarship. Thank you for being a part of the SCTP and we all wish you the best in your future!
Name
Team Name
State
Abbigail Lynn
Northern Lights SCTP
AK
Madeleine Taylor
Birchwood Bears
AK
Lauren Welsh
Ben Avery Clay Crushers
AZ
Samantha Witty
Prescott Bird Busters
AZ
Cassidy Sorensen
Saint Mary’s Competitive Shotgun Team
CO
Paul Rupprecht
High Plains Drifters
CO
Reanna Frauens
Young Guns at Quail Creek
FL
Marian “Emmy” Zerby
Young Guns at Quail Creek
FL
Gavin Driggers
Young Guns at Quail Creek
FL
Jonathon Mitchell Kent
Forest City Juniors
GA
Sean Burke
Pinetucky Pullits
GA
Steven Marshall Johnston
Lake Oconee Shotgun Team
GA
Caleb Loftus
Loess Hills Youth Shooting Sports
IA
Lauren Wall
North Scott Trap Team
IA
Melanie Harson
Lyon County Straight Shooters
IA
Payten Lehmann
Echo Valley Trap Team
IA
Abigail Gosselink
PC Eagles
IA
Lauren Beckman
Danville Trap Club
IA
Levi Mills
Mount Pleasant Panther Trap Team
IA
Caleb Skow
Ankeny Hawks Shooting Team
IA
Colin Fiechtner
Oskaloosa Shooting Team
IA
Nathan Brandmeyer
Ankeny Hawks Shooting Team
IA
Josh Meyer
Bettendorf Trap Team
IA
Caymen De Jong
Montezuma Shooting Sports
IA
Lauren Kaldenberg
Albia High School Clay Target Team
IA
Tommy Keeshan
North Scott Trap Team
IA
Hunter Ryan Block
Ankeny Centennial Trap Club
IA
Cail Donkersloot
Lakes Area Youth Trap Club
IA
Elise Baker
Alton Wood River Sportmans Club Youth Shooting Club
As a reminder, September 1st marks the beginning of a new season with the Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting Programs. Membership renewals for coaches and athletes are required to retain member benefits including liability insurance, use of the SSSF SHOT system and eligibility to participate in all of the great SCTP and SASP events at the local, virtual, state, regional, and national levels. In addition, membership is required to take full advantage of all of the SCTP/SASP deals and promotions and fundraisers as well as camp opportunities, scholarships and the All Scholastic Team.
NOTE: If starting a new team, the head coach and/or team administrator should initiate these steps. In most cases the head coach/team administrator will also coordinate registration for all members of their local team. New teams are encouraged to watch our video tutorial on how to register.
Requirements for team and volunteer registration are as follows:
Pay your $35 registration fee for each volunteer. Fees can be paid online through the SHOT system individually or in bulk.
Ensure your background check is current (a new check is required every two years) by logging into the SHOT system to verify the last date approved.
Take the Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coaches Course if you have not done so previously. There is no cost for the course when using the SSSF-provided voucher code. Volunteers must take this course only one time.
The requirement for registration of all athletes are as follows:
Complete and return a 2020/2021 athlete consent/waiver form for SCTP and/or SASP for each athlete. Head coaches must keep a copy of the signed form and return the original to the program office listed on the form.
Complete and retain the 2020/2021 Sportsmanship Contract form for SCTP and/or SASP for each athlete.
Complete and retain the 2020/2021 Medical Consent form for SCTP and/or SASP for each athlete.
Update the athlete information pages in the SHOT system. Ensure all contact information is correct and update the School Class and Classification information for each athlete.
Pay the $25 athlete registration fee for each athlete. Fees can be paid online through the SHOT system individually or in bulk.
Join and/or renew memberships with the National Governing Bodies (NGB) for skeet (NSSA), sporting clays (NSCA) and / or trap (ATA). NGB membership is a requirement to participate in SCTP state, regional and national championship events.
