The 2012 Youth Sportsfest will be held Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Brookings Couth County Conservation League Gun Club.  The Gun Club is located 2 miles east of I-29 on Highway 14.  The Sportsfest offers outdoor activities like trap shooting, archery and shotgun shell reloading.  Youth ages 18 years and under are invited to attend this 10^th annual event. The Sportsfest goal is to construct a setting where youth can experience unique, hands-on learning experiences to which many of them have never been exposed.  The event will run from 1 pm to 5 pm. 
 
The Sportsfest will use monies from a grant received from the NRA Foundation’s South Dakota State Fund Committee to help fund this event which will again be offered FREE OF CHARGE to all youth attending. 
 
There will be several stations set up for the youth when they arrive.  These stations will include a 4-H station where air pistol, air rifle and archery are offered.  No experience is necessary, and all firearms, ammunition and targets are provided.  Snacks and beverages are also provided.  “Love of the outdoors and shooting sports starts at a young age.  Being able to share that with kids is the purpose of this event. The goal is to get the kids active in the outdoors, those who have an interest in shooting sports and hunting and those who have never shot before but are interested in doing so,” stated Jon Greseth, Chairman of the Sportsfest.  The first 50 youth receive an NRA Sportsfest t-shirt and NRA firearm safety literature when they check-in.  Many thanks to the South Dakota National Guard for use of their tents at this event.
 
Parents are encouraged to accompany the youth.  The response in past years has been outstanding as youth enjoy demonstrations by the Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation Club and South Dakota Trappers Booth.  This year range distance demonstrations will be offered by the National Wild Turkey Federation.  The 4-H Shooting Sports and Big Sioux Bowman offer hands-on air rifle/air pistol and 3-D archery which always draws a big crowd.  Black powder shotgun area and tomahawk throwing at wood stumps challenge offers youth a fun experience. 
 
Youth will also be able to explore and learn more about activities and equipment brought by the Fire Department and Brookings County Sheriff’s Department who will have vehicles on hand and fire fighters and officers in attendance.
 
If your child enjoys working with dogs, Ed Krueger provides a major attraction with the hunting dog demonstration which quickly draws an audience into the excitement of the hunt using well trained dogs and adds knowledgeable advice to those interested in this sport.
 
Mentors for this event, which requires about 30 volunteers in addition to the donations of merchandise and/or financial assistance, love to hunt and enjoy sharing with others their deep appreciation of the outdoors and all that it has to offer people of all ages.  Volunteers assisting with the event bring years of expertise in the various shooting sports and many are professional sportsmen who wish to share their knowledge with the youth.  This assistance and the work of the volunteers help make this a successful and popular event enjoyable for all attending.
 
In the past, support has also been received for this event from businesses and organizations including Brookings Pheasants Forever, Kjergaard Sports, Rude’s Home Furnishings, Runnings Farm and Fleet, Back in Motion Chiropractic/Dr. Rodney  Brandenburger, The Exchange, Hamlin Pro Center, Monteith Welding, Porter’s Toys Big Boy, WW Tire Service, Pizza Ranch, Sports Connection, Subway, Burger King, Brookings Equipment, The Shopper, Schuneman Equipment, Kings Wok, Backyard Grill, George’s Pizza, and Zesto.