Monroe-Chester Sportsman's Club sponsors Youth Day

CHESTER - On Sunday, May 2, the members of the Monroe-Chester Sportsmen’s Club served about 500 hot dogs to more than 100 youngsters and their parents who had been invited to learn the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment along with range procedures. They were taught the basic rules of shooting sports in a safe and positive environment. Twice each year, as a free community service open to the public, the Club sponsors “Youth Day,” where youngsters and their parents visit the Club’s 138-acre facility for a day of supervised shooting and archery activities. The second “Youth Day” this year will be held Oct. 17. The Monroe-Chester Sportsmen’s Club also has a member group organized as The Boothill Regulators who hold monthly shooting competitions dressed as “cowpokes, gamblers and lawmen.” And during this year’s Youth Day members like Tom Colalucca and Fred Tompkins wore their Western garb for the enjoyment of the young visitors. Although local businesses also contribute goods and services and the National Rifle Association (NRA) provides some grants, 90 per cent of the expenses for each “Youth Day” are paid with Club membership funds. During “Youth Day,” experienced instructors demonstrate each activity and work with all participants stressing safety in activities that are appropriate for the boy or girl’s age and abilities. Any interested youngster from the surrounding area, accompanied by a parent or guardian, is invited to participate. Children must be age 12 or over to participate in rifle or shotgun events but those who are younger can receive supervised instruction with air rifle or bow. The day’s activities include instruction in 22-caliber rifle, trap, skeet, air rifle, archery and black powder shooting. Each participant is required to follow strict safety guidelines, obey the instructor’s orders and wear appropriate protective devices such as earplugs and safety glasses. All equipment is provided courtesy of the club. And members who supervise this event are all trained NRA instructors and certified range safety officers. The Monroe-Chester Sportsmen’s Club, located on Gibson Hill Road in the Town of Chester, hosts numerous shooting events throughout the year that are open to the public. “We believe in firearm safety through education,” said Fred Bramich, a veteran firearms instructor, who also serves as vice president of the club. The Warwick resident is the founder of “Youth Day” and has served as chairman of the event for 19 years. “There are fewer accidents in supervised shooting sports than in any other competitive sport,” he said. To find out more For information on “Youth Day” or other upcoming events call 477-8755 or visit: www.monroechestersportsmen.org