07-09-2008, 11:10 AM
Whitetails Unlimited is a Gold sponsor of the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program, which provides interscholastic competition for clay target shooters in Iowa schools. This year 340 students participated in the state championships, an impressive number for a program that got its start in 2006.
<br>"The Scholastic Clay Target Program is an important link in getting young people involved in the shooting sports," said WTU Executive Director Pete Gerl. "This program is exciting for the students and provides them a base of skills that they will use throughout their lives. We're very happy to help. "<br>
<br>Research conducted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation finds that 30 percent of participants would not have been introduced to shooting without SCTP, and 70 percent of the young shooters say they have improved their leadership skills as a result of participation. In addition, 95 percent of their parents say the SCTP has had a positive influence in their child's development, 57 percent of the parents now have a more positive view of the shooting sports, and 45 percent say their child's grades have improved as a result of participation.<br>
<br>And regardless if the event is sporting clays, skeet, or trap, the entire shooting program is safer than more traditional interscholastic sports. Teams are led by certified coaches during their spring competition season.<br>
<br>"This program is great for students in Iowa," said Tim Powers, WTU's Iowa field director. "Getting young people involved with hunting and the shooting sports is vital for the future, and this gets a lot of kids involved, properly trained and motivated in a very positive way. I'm really happy that our organization can provide support for these students."<br>
<br>For more information on the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program visit their web site at www.iowasctp.org.
<br>"The Scholastic Clay Target Program is an important link in getting young people involved in the shooting sports," said WTU Executive Director Pete Gerl. "This program is exciting for the students and provides them a base of skills that they will use throughout their lives. We're very happy to help. "<br>
<br>Research conducted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation finds that 30 percent of participants would not have been introduced to shooting without SCTP, and 70 percent of the young shooters say they have improved their leadership skills as a result of participation. In addition, 95 percent of their parents say the SCTP has had a positive influence in their child's development, 57 percent of the parents now have a more positive view of the shooting sports, and 45 percent say their child's grades have improved as a result of participation.<br>
<br>And regardless if the event is sporting clays, skeet, or trap, the entire shooting program is safer than more traditional interscholastic sports. Teams are led by certified coaches during their spring competition season.<br>
<br>"This program is great for students in Iowa," said Tim Powers, WTU's Iowa field director. "Getting young people involved with hunting and the shooting sports is vital for the future, and this gets a lot of kids involved, properly trained and motivated in a very positive way. I'm really happy that our organization can provide support for these students."<br>
<br>For more information on the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program visit their web site at www.iowasctp.org.