Youth Opportunities and Programs
Shooting sports and gun safety programs for youth in Indiana
Whether you’re interested in basic safety, recreational sports, organized activities, competition, or hunting, shooting programs supported by 4-H, the department of natural resources (IDNR), American Legion, private clubs, schools, and individuals occur throughout Indiana. The Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association serves as a resource guide and facilitator for these programs, especially by promoting statewide competition and by encouraging young shooters to represent the state at national competition.
Many counties have 4-H shooting sports programs. The depth of the programs is quite variable ranging from training in basic gun safety to serious competition in rifle, pistol, and/or shotgun shooting. Check your local county extension office (insert your specific county in place of “county”) for information on local 4-H programs. Feel free to participate in programs in an adjoining county if your county does not meet your needs or volunteer to help.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources promotes youth safety through hunter education classes, youth only hunting dates, Hoosier outdoor experience, and other special programs.
The Indiana American Legion supports local Legion posts in developing young shooters primarily in precision pellet rifle and includes an annual state sporter air rifle competition.
Several public schools have archery programs and a few have trap teams and are working on additional shooting programs. Archery ranges would make great air rifle/pistol ranges. A great model of shooting programs in public schools is the Attica, Indiana public school system which began with a trap team.
Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation has extensive information on Action Shooting and Clay Targets
Indiana Youth Shooting Sports Foundation is a granting agency supporting youth shooting sports in Indiana, with an emphasis on team competition.
NRA Foundation provides great support for many of the youth shooting sports programs in Indiana. Indiana is one of the premier fundraising states in the nation. Attend a Friends of NRA banquet in your area.
The Junior Pistol Shooters of America program is to encourage and enable junior pistol shooters to compete in International and NRA conventional pistol competitions.
Start a Club at your school….team support. USA Shooting and NRA Clubs have excellent guides to starting a club at your school.
Find programs and activities through Youth Shooting Sports Alliance. On their page you can click on the activities you are interested, select your state, and find a list to choose from.
Matching caring adults with a passion for the outdoors with children that want to learn about the outdoors…that’s what the Pass It On program is about in a nutshell. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to giving children the chance to experience the great outdoors!
Support for Teams and School Programs
Start a Club at your school….team support. USA Shooting and NRA Clubs have excellent guides to starting a club at your school.
Collegiate opportunities to Compete, Start a Team, or Start a Club
Competition
Youth of all ages can get involved! Whether you’re just starting out with a BB gun or air rifle, Boy Scouts, 4H, there are plenty of programs and opportunities for advancing your skills. Visit USA Shooting’s youth-programs page.
Scholarships
Indiana State Rifle & Pistol Association Scholarships
General Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the ISRPA as a tool for assisting in the education of a person pursuing any line of studies.
“The general scholarship is open to applicants active in the shooting sports be they a Junior Member of the Association or son or daughter of an Association Member. No restrictions will be placed on the area of study the individual is pursuing”.
John E. Hatfull Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the ISRPA to honor the memory of SGT. John E. Hatfull, an Indiana State Trooper, who was killed in the line of duty in 1988. John was not only an ISRPA member he was also an avid, and a very accomplished pistol competitor.
“This scholarship is restricted to individuals studying in the areas of law enforcement, conservation, coaching, or areas of sports medicine, or is a competitive shooter. The applicant must be a member, or be related to a member of the Association.”
Applicants
For information, log in with your email and password and click on Scholarships.
Junior shooters need our support!