Neither rain, nor cold nor a threatened demonstration by a handful of anti-free speech Montclair residents could keep the kids, parents and volunteers from coming out for YouthFest 2003, the Association’s fifth annual day for youngsters and their parents to see what safe shooting is all about.

The event, sponsored in part by a grant from the NRA Foundation, drew 135 kids plus parents on May 24th, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The young shooters were given the opportunity to try smallbore rifles, high power rifles and shotguns under the watchful eyes of NRA-certified instructors—and under the protection of the roofs at the silhouette and 100-yard ranges.

Each student received one-on-one coaching in the fundamentals of safe firearm handling from our patient volunteer instructors. Everyone was encouraged to try every discipline. But if a youngster did not want to try a particular gun, there was no pressure. As happens every year, there were smiles and cheers as the clay birds were broken or the metal plates fell. At the high power range, targets were scrutinized and results compared.

On the Friday before the event, the news had broadcast the story of the settlement of the lawsuit that the Association had brought against the Montclair Board of Education. (See Montclair Lawsuit.) Part of the settlement included distribution of the flyer for YouthFest. An irate phone call to the Association threatened a demonstration, but none materialized.

While there were no demonstrators from Montclair, there were a number of people who came as the result of the flyer. They were there simply to have a good time. One mom was skeptical, but changed her mind as the day wore on and she saw how much fun her kids were having. She said that seeing what the shooting sports were really all about was an eye opener.

Our guests enjoyed the traditional YouthFest lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Two tents were set up at the 300-yard range to give diners protection from the weather. After lunch, there was one more round of shooting, then a return to the clubhouse where three junior range memberships and other goodies were given away.

The Association’s four years of experience with YouthFest gave organizers Frank and Sharon Sevean invaluable background to draw on. Special Events Chair Peggy Hodgkiss was there for advice and assistance and the many seasoned volunteers who gave up their Saturdays proved once again to be incredibly capable ambassadors for the great sport of shooting.

The Association also wishes to thank our range personnel, who have working with a large number of visitors down to a science: John Healy, Jim Bressett, Vito Antico, Fran Antico, John Koppinger, Jim Smith and Frank Zarney.

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