Get permission from your Post - Have a prepared statement to help promote your idea. List the benefits of the program, the time requirements of the members, and the cost of the program. Having a good game plan will help the commander and members make an informed decision. The team at Post 218 does not require additional funds or time from the AL members.
Find a practice location - locate a local gun club or public shooting range and ask permission to use their facilities. Many clubs are happy to help and glad to see youth shooters!
Spread the word - Let your local youth know that you have a Legion Trapshooting program at your post. Place flyers in the local schools. Publicize it in the paper. Announce it at the local gun clubs.
Certify coaches - Have each of your coaches get certified through the NRA to be a U.S. Shooting Sports Certified Shotgun coach. Have each coach complete a background check through the American Legion.
Inform the parents - Have a meeting at the beginning of the year to discuss time commitments, cost, and fundraising. At Post 218, parents pay for the child's shotgun, shells, and competitions. In order to offset some of the costs, we hold several fundraisers.
Register each shooter with ATA/AIM - The Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and its youth program, Academics/Integrity/Marksmanship (AIM) is the governing body for all trapshooting worldwide. The AIM youth program has its own state and national competition registered shoots and provides insurance for the shooter. The combined cost for an ATA/AIM membership is $25 per year.
Consider offering a Recreational Program and a Competitive Program - Some youth cannot commit to a full practice and competition schedule yet still have an interest in the sport. Other youth strive to practice, compete, and win. In the recreational program, youth meet every other week or even monthly and shoot 50 targets. Youth in the competitive program can practice weekly, shoot 100 targets, and compete in many of the AIM competitions.

Why a Clay Bird Trapshooting Team?

The popularity of youth trap shooting has skyrocketed in the last few years and many organizations are creating programs to cater to this interest. In 2012, the American Legion, Post 218 created its first youth trapshooting team.

The team seeks additional members. Interested youth may join when parents agree to allow them to participate. The top age is 22. Dave Delleart is the coach. For more information, contact coaches at this email address by copying and pasting: post218youthclaybirds@gmail.com.

Trapshooting incorporates the benefits of both an individual sport, as well as a team sport. As an individual sport, youth trapshooting teaches participants how to be comfortable in the spotlight, a skill that is useful for class or work presentations later in life. Also, since the individuals' scores are purely dependent on their own efforts, it teaches them to have an intrinsic motivation that strives for personal improvement.

Trapshooting also teaches the importance of practice, patience, and persistence as one attempts to master the art of shooting. In addition, since trapshooting does not require a team, participants can continue this sport at their leisure, well into their old age. Each team member's individual score feeds into the overall team's score. As part of a trapshooting team, youth develop a sense of camaraderie, an appreciation of differing abilities, a sense of belonging, social interaction skills, team goal-setting skills and resilience through sharing positive and negative experiences.

Many youth long to be a part of a team, yet may not have the physical ability or desire to participate in an extremely active sport. Trapshooting provides another avenue for these youth. Many universities are starting collegiate trapshooting teams and even offering scholarships for this sport. Trapshooting is also an Olympic Sport.

Youth trapshooting can also teach a healthy respect for guns early in life. There are many benefits to the sport!

POST 218

Clay Bird Trapshooting Team

The First team in the Nation!