Fairfield Sportsmen’s Association 2026 Hot Shots Youth Program

FSA has an exciting 2026 Youth Shooting Sports Program. From April to October youth have the opportunity to participate in either FSA’s archery, 4-position Smallbore Rifle program or shotgun (Skeet or Trap) program.  FSA’s Youth Shooting Sports Program is open to all youth ages 8 to 18 (male or female) and does not require club membership, so invite your friends. We’ll meet at FSA the second Saturday each month from 9:00 to 12:00 for instruction and practice.  For youth desiring to become more serious, Hot Shots is an entry point for the FSA Air Rifle Team and SCTP Lead Slingers Shotgun teams.  Hot Shots is an opportunity for youth who want to shoot for pleasure or work toward shooting competitively. In the Hot Shots Program they will progress through the NRA Winchester Marksmanship Program earning awards as they go.

Disciplines:

Archery-

Our archery program available for youth up to 18 years old. The youth should have the physical strength to pull back a 25 pound bow and the mental and emotional maturity to participate in a coached sport. FSA will provide bows, arrows, and eye protection.

4-Position Smallbore Rifle-

Youth 8 to 18 years of age will receive instruction on shooting from 4 positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing) a .22 caliber target rifle utilizing a sling. They will start shooting off sand bags in the prone position. As competency increases, the marksmen move to higher (more difficult) positions.  We’ll follow the NRA 4-position small bore program guidelines.  FSA will provide rifles, ammo, targets, ear protection, and eye protection.  The youth will need to bring to each practice: a pad, yoga mat or piece of carpet to lie on.

Shotgun-

 The shotgun program is open to youth up to 18 years of age.  The youth should be approximately 100 lbs. and have the physical strength to handle a shotgun and the mental and emotional maturity to participate in a team sport. Youth will be introduced to Trap or Skeet disciplines and will receive instruction to develop shotgun shooting skills. FSA will provide shotguns, ammo, ear and eye protection, and targets. 

Registration:

For 2026 we plan to have registration on April 11th. At this time we’re not limiting the number of youth participants.  We will conduct NRA First Steps Rifle and Shotgun Certification training on April 11th.  First Steps will be mandatory for all youth joining Hot Shots for the first time and recommended for parents.

Cost:

The cost to participate is $30 per shooting youth for the summer (cash or check).  The fee offsets a small portion of FSA’s cost of targets, ear and eye protection, ammunition, NRA First Steps packet, and awards.

Next Steps:

We will have a meeting on April 11th at 8:30 A.M. in the FSA Education Building to review programs, equipment needs, answer questions, and register youth which will be followed by First Steps Safety Training.

If in the meantime if you’d like additional information please feel free to email Brian Ferneding – brianferneding@gmail.com

April 11th First Steps Training and Sign Ups

May 9th Hot Shots Practice

June 13th     Hot Shots Practice

July 11th      Hot Shots Practice          

Aug 8th          Hot Shots Practice

Sep 12th      Hot Shots Practice

Oct 10th         Hot Shots Practice and Pizza Party with Awards

Spring

TRAP LEAGUE

   Openings for Individuals and Teams

 Open to Members and Non-Members

 Last for 10 weeks

Any team that needs a shooter or changes in squad please contact me.

 Make-ups and shoot ahead available for missing days, through week 10.

 Starts: Tuesday March 3, 2026

Team Trophies: For Class A, B, C, & D

Individual Trophies: For HOA, Class A, B, C, & D

Knife given for 50 Straight (one per entry, per league) 

 50 targets each night

 League Fees $25.00 ( One time per league )

 Targets

   $11.00 per night for members

   $15.00 per night for non-member

 Any questions call Rick (513) 673-8499

The Fairfield Sportsman’s Association Leadslingers youth shooting team is looking for youth shooters who may be interested in Trap shooting. The teams are involved in practice as well as competition events throughout the year which enables then to learn new skills and put the skills to test with other youth shooters from local, state and national arenas in a safe and fun environment. February 15th from 2 to 4 PM

Our mission is to introduce kids to the shooting sport and to coach and guide them to be the best that they can be in a practice as well as competition environment. Along with introducing these kids to a wonderful sport that they can carry on for life we are also trying to teach them life skills and lessons such as courtesy, respect, responsibility, leadership and how to deal with adversity in a positive manner. 

If interested there will be a team/safety meeting that will be held in the training building on February 15th from 2 to 4 pm.

IMPORTANT MEETING SUNDAY

All FSA Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Membership Meeting THIS SUNDAY February 8, at 11:00 am in the Education Building. We’ll have coffee and donuts, plus we’ll hear from Rob Beckman (FSA Member running for NRA Board — don’t forget to vote for him), and we’ll be receiving the final ballots in the club leadership election (deadline is 11:00 am Sunday), counting the votes and learning who will be leading the club in 2026!

Come on out and attend. Get your chance to win $100. AND . . . Don’t worry — we’ll have you out in plenty of time to be ready for the Super Bowl Sunday night!!