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On May 19, over 45 ANJRPC volunteers hosted the Association’s annual introduction to the shooting sports for young people aged 10 to 18 at Cherry Ridge Range. Although the participants experienced light rain intermittently throughout the day, it didn’t dampen everyone’s spirits. In fact, this year’s attendance was even larger than last year’s!

The morning opened with breakfast and juice for the 235 kids that participated, and hot coffee was provided for the adults. Maria Alampi, Emily Lichtenstein, and Laura Trossello were kept busy signing up the several hundred registrants that showed up.

After an extensive safety briefing, the kids and 100 accompanying adults enjoyed the opportunity to experience five different shooting activities: shooting at falling plates, .22 target rifles, muzzle-loaded black powder rifles, shooting clay birds with 20-gauge shotguns, and high-power rifle shooting.

Range coordinators John Nicolai, Chuck Lehnert, Steve Serna, and George Lees worked as a team with Chief Range Officer Keith Griffiths and his staff, and event coordinator Steve Potts to keep the range running smoothly and safely.

For the second year, Chef Scott McCoy performed the miracle of cooking for the ravenous crowd of nearly 400, managing to feed the day’s participants within the hour-and-a-half lunch break.

Our crew of certified NRA instructors was augmented by members of the New Jersey AIR National Guard. Thanks to Joseph Burkel and James Johnson for coming all the way from McGuire to work with the instructors.

Frank Sevean made sure all necessary supplies and comestible were available when required. We go through a lot of supplies in the course of this special event, and we’d like to thank Speedwell Targets and Caso’s Gun-A-Rama for their donations of targets and ammunition.

Thanks also to those who attend the Friends of NRA dinners and contribute to the NRA Foundation that plays a major role in enabling this event.  

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